Fisher received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Third Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on 2 April 1865.

He went on to be promoted to corporal and, on 2 April 1865, performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor.

Fisher died on 8 October 1903 and his remains are interred at the Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Joseph Fisher, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 April 1865, while serving with Company C, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Petersburg, Virginia.

Corporal Fisher carried the colors 50 yards in advance of his regiment, and after being painfully wounded attempted to crawl into the enemy's works in an endeavor to plant his flag thereon.