World War II American Fighter Ace. Born in Emeigh, Pennsylvania, he was the the first US Army Air Forces fighter pilot ace of World War II. After attending the University of Pittsburgh, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1938, completed air training and was in command of the 17th Squadron in the Philippines in late 1940. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Japanese struck the Philippines, destroying most of the American air-power. Wagner now a Captain, led the remnants of his squadron in repeated counterattacks. Flying his P-40, he shoot down Japanese Zeros, strafed enemy fields and beachheads. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel in January 1942, he was reassigned to 5th Fighter Command Headquarters at Port Moresby, New Guinea. In command of two P-39 squadrons of the 8th Fighter Group, he was credited with destroying three Japanese Zero on April 30, 1942, bringing his total to eight air to air kills. By late summer 1942, he was back in the United States and was later killed in a P-40 accident 25 miles north of Eglin Field, Florida. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.
World War II American Fighter Ace. Born in Emeigh, Pennsylvania, he was the the first US Army Air Forces fighter pilot ace of World War II. After attending the University of Pittsburgh, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1938, completed air training and was in command of the 17th Squadron in the Philippines in late 1940. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Japanese struck the Philippines, destroying most of the American air-power. Wagner now a Captain, led the remnants of his squadron in repeated counterattacks. Flying his P-40, he shoot down Japanese Zeros, strafed enemy fields and beachheads. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel in January 1942, he was reassigned to 5th Fighter Command Headquarters at Port Moresby, New Guinea. In command of two P-39 squadrons of the 8th Fighter Group, he was credited with destroying three Japanese Zero on April 30, 1942, bringing his total to eight air to air kills. By late summer 1942, he was back in the United States and was later killed in a P-40 accident 25 miles north of Eglin Field, Florida. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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