We just took our 400,000th picture of Scout patches. It was of the National Commissioner patch issued and warn by Dr. George J. Fisher. Dr. Fisher was instrumental in the development of the Boy Scouts of America serving as the first Deputy Chief Scout Executive (DSCE) to the first Chief Scout Executive James E. West. Fisher served as DCSE from 1919 to 1943 when he retired from the Scouts. Upon retirement he was named National Commissioner, the first since Dan Beard.

Fisher’s Influence on Scouting

Fisher’s earlier youth involvement was with the YMCA. He served as President of their International Physical Directors society from 1904 to 1919.

William Murray, Charter Member of the BSA Executive Board, wrote extensively of Fisher’s contribution to Scouting. In Murray’s book, The History of the Boy Scouts of America (1937), he covers the first twenty-five years of the BSA. He references Fisher’s leadership and operational involvement with nearly twenty-four references.

Fisher was involved in the creation of the original twelve regions and building the Field Committee for the BSA. Per Murray, Fisher “had been from the beginning, an active volunteer in Scouting and had been first Chairman of the Committee on Badges, Awards, Scout Requirements and Uniform Design” (p. 149).

Fisher retained this position from 1943 until is passing in 1960.

The 400,000th Picture – 2nd National Commissioner patch

So here is our 400,00th picture of Scout patches we have taken. You can see Fisher wearing it in the black and white picture above. Here it is in full color.