Boyd Wagner
Encyclopedia
Lt. Col. Boyd David "Buzz" Wagner (October 26, 1916–November 29, 1942) was an American
aviator
and the first USAAF fighter ace
of World War II
.
Wagner was born October 26, 1916 in Emeigh, Cambria County, Pennsylvania
, the son of Boyd M. Wagner and Elizabeth M. Moody Wagner.
, and studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh
for three years before joining the Army Air Corps
. He completed flight training in June 1938 and was assigned to duty in the Philippines
with the 24th Pursuit Group
. He was soon given command of the 17th Pursuit Squadron.
He was nicknamed “Buzz” because it was said he could buzz the camouflage off a hangar roof.
Wagner was a First Lieutenant commanding the 17th Pursuit Squadron stationed at Nichols Field
on December 8, 1941 when the first Japanese air attacks struck the Philippines. On December 12, Wagner took off in a Curtiss P-40
on a solo reconnaissance mission over Aparri, where he was attacked by Japanese Zero fighter planes. He dove away from the attacking planes and then returned and shot down two of them. He was attacked by more Zeros as he strafed a nearby Japanese airfield and subsequently destroyed two of these planes as well before returning to Clark Field.
On December 17 he led an attack on a Japanese airstrip near Vigan with Lieutenants Allison W. Strauss and Russell M. Church, Jr. Church was killed in the attack and posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross
. Wagner and Strauss continued the strafing attack on the airfield, damaging and destroying numerous Japanese planes. A sole Japanese Zero took off and attacked Wagner's plane but he chopped his throttle and caused the Zero to overshoot his plane. Once in position behind the Zero Wagner was able to shoot it down, becoming the first USAAF ace of World War II and earning a Distinguished Service Cross
.
At least one source states that Wagner's first five kills were not Zeros, but were IJAAF Nakajima Ki-27
"Nate" fighter planes. This source does confirm his later kills were reported as Zeros but were impossible to verify from Japanese records.
Attacking the Japanese again at Vigan on December 22, his plane was struck by enemy fire and he was wounded by glass splinters which struck his face and eyes. He returned to base safely and evacuated to Australia
in January 1942.
Wagner was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned in April to the 8th Fighter Group in New Guinea
flying the Bell P-39. At the time he was the youngest Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. On April 30, 1942 he shot down three Zeros, bringing his air-to-air kill total to 8 planes.
It was decided higher up in the chain of command that Wagner's experience and knowledge would be more valuable back in the U.S., training fighter pilots and as a liaison to the Curtiss P-40 plant in Buffalo, New York
, to help engineers improve the P-40's combat performance. Despite his protests at being pulled out of combat he was sent home to the States.
to Maxwell Field
, Alabama
on November 29, 1942, Wagner's plane disappeared. After an extensive search what was left of the P-40 and Wagner's remains were found almost six weeks later in January 1943, 25 miles east of Eglin. The cause of the crash, if known, was never revealed.
After the crash site was found, partial remains of Wagner were found and returned to Johnstown for burial. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 mourners attended his funeral at Grandview Cemetery
in January 1943. Both Time Magazine and Life Magazine covered the event.
After five years of research, retired Air Force Colonel Jim Moschgat rediscovered what he believed to be the crash site of Wagner's plane in Florida and found artifacts that tentatively confirmed the crash site was the correct one. Human remains were found at the site in 2008. In 2010 the remains were confirmed as being LTC Wagner’s. His remains were buried with full military honors, to include a fly over by the U.S. Air Force at the Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown.
and the Distinguished Flying Cross
.
Two schools at Clark Air Base
were named in honor of Boyd Wagner: Wagner High School and Wagner Middle School.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
and the first USAAF fighter ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Wagner was born October 26, 1916 in Emeigh, Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, the son of Boyd M. Wagner and Elizabeth M. Moody Wagner.
Life
He grew up in Nanty-Glo, near JohnstownJohnstown
- Places :Canada* Johnstown, Nova Scotia* Johnstown, Ontario, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville* Johnstown, Hastings County, OntarioRepublic of Ireland*Johnstown, County Dublin*Johnstown, County Kildare*Johnstown, County Kilkenny...
, and studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
for three years before joining the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
. He completed flight training in June 1938 and was assigned to duty in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
with the 24th Pursuit Group
24th Pursuit Group
The 24th Pursuit Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was wiped out in the Battle of the Philippines . The survivors fought as infantry during Battle of Bataan and after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia. The unit was...
. He was soon given command of the 17th Pursuit Squadron.
He was nicknamed “Buzz” because it was said he could buzz the camouflage off a hangar roof.
Wagner was a First Lieutenant commanding the 17th Pursuit Squadron stationed at Nichols Field
Nichols Field
Nichols Field was a U.S. military airfield located south of Manila in Pasay City and Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Luzon, the Philippines. During the World War II era, it was the location of the Far East Air Force's U.S. 20th Air Base Group. Also, based here was Troop F of the U.S. 26th Cavalry...
on December 8, 1941 when the first Japanese air attacks struck the Philippines. On December 12, Wagner took off in a Curtiss P-40
Curtiss P-40
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...
on a solo reconnaissance mission over Aparri, where he was attacked by Japanese Zero fighter planes. He dove away from the attacking planes and then returned and shot down two of them. He was attacked by more Zeros as he strafed a nearby Japanese airfield and subsequently destroyed two of these planes as well before returning to Clark Field.
On December 17 he led an attack on a Japanese airstrip near Vigan with Lieutenants Allison W. Strauss and Russell M. Church, Jr. Church was killed in the attack and posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
. Wagner and Strauss continued the strafing attack on the airfield, damaging and destroying numerous Japanese planes. A sole Japanese Zero took off and attacked Wagner's plane but he chopped his throttle and caused the Zero to overshoot his plane. Once in position behind the Zero Wagner was able to shoot it down, becoming the first USAAF ace of World War II and earning a Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
.
At least one source states that Wagner's first five kills were not Zeros, but were IJAAF Nakajima Ki-27
Nakajima Ki-27
The was the main fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force up until 1940. Its Allied nickname was "Nate", although it was called "Abdul" in the "China Burma India" theater by many post war sources; Allied Intelligence had reserved that name for the nonexistent Mitsubishi Navy...
"Nate" fighter planes. This source does confirm his later kills were reported as Zeros but were impossible to verify from Japanese records.
Attacking the Japanese again at Vigan on December 22, his plane was struck by enemy fire and he was wounded by glass splinters which struck his face and eyes. He returned to base safely and evacuated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in January 1942.
Wagner was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned in April to the 8th Fighter Group in New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
flying the Bell P-39. At the time he was the youngest Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. On April 30, 1942 he shot down three Zeros, bringing his air-to-air kill total to 8 planes.
It was decided higher up in the chain of command that Wagner's experience and knowledge would be more valuable back in the U.S., training fighter pilots and as a liaison to the Curtiss P-40 plant in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, to help engineers improve the P-40's combat performance. Despite his protests at being pulled out of combat he was sent home to the States.
Death
On a routine flight in a P-40K from Eglin Field, FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to Maxwell Field
Maxwell Field
Maxwell Field was the football stadium located behind the former location of Louisville Male High School, 911 S. Brook St., Louisville, Kentucky, 40203 which was bounded by the streets of Brook, Breckinridge, Floyd, and Caldwell streets in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1984 a double murder known locally...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
on November 29, 1942, Wagner's plane disappeared. After an extensive search what was left of the P-40 and Wagner's remains were found almost six weeks later in January 1943, 25 miles east of Eglin. The cause of the crash, if known, was never revealed.
After the crash site was found, partial remains of Wagner were found and returned to Johnstown for burial. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 mourners attended his funeral at Grandview Cemetery
Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown
Grandview Cemetery is a cemetery located at 801 Millcreek Road in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.The cemetery association that operates Grandview was founded in 1885 to accommodate Johnstown's rapidly growing population...
in January 1943. Both Time Magazine and Life Magazine covered the event.
After five years of research, retired Air Force Colonel Jim Moschgat rediscovered what he believed to be the crash site of Wagner's plane in Florida and found artifacts that tentatively confirmed the crash site was the correct one. Human remains were found at the site in 2008. In 2010 the remains were confirmed as being LTC Wagner’s. His remains were buried with full military honors, to include a fly over by the U.S. Air Force at the Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown.
Honors
In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, Wagner also received the Purple HeartPurple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
.
Two schools at Clark Air Base
Clark Air Base
Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles northwest of Metro Manila. Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991...
were named in honor of Boyd Wagner: Wagner High School and Wagner Middle School.
See also
- List of World War II air aces
- History of Clark Air BaseHistory of Clark Air BaseThe history of Clark Air Base, Philippines dates back to the late 19th century when it was settled by Filipino military forces. The United States established a presence at the turn of the century.- The Americans first come to Angeles :...
- Edward O'HareEdward O'HareLieutenant Commander Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare was an Irish-American naval aviator of the United States Navy who on February 20, 1942 became the U.S. Navy's first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II. Butch O’Hare’s final action took place on the night of November 26, 1943,...
- Richard BongRichard BongRichard Ira "Dick" Bong is the United States' highest-scoring air ace, having shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II. He was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces and a recipient of the Medal of Honor...
- Art DonahueArt DonahueArthur Gerald "Art" Donahue was a United States fighter pilot and ace who volunteered to fly for the British Royal Air Force in World War II. He was killed in action.-Early life:...
- Donald BlakesleeDonald BlakesleeDonald James Matthew Blakeslee was an officer in the United States Air Force, whose career began as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew Spitfire fighter aircraft, during World War II. He then became a member of the Royal Air Force Eagle squadrons...
- Saburō SakaiSaburo SakaiSub-Lieutenant was a Japanese naval aviator and flying ace of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Sakai was the Imperial Navy's fourth-ranking ace and Japan's second leading fighter pilot to survive the war ....
External links
- Boyd D. Wagner at Ancestry.Com
- Lt. Col. Boyd Wagner at AcePilots.com
- Boyd Wagner at Find A Grave
- Lt. Col. Boyd Wagner at Air Force Magazine
- Boyd Wagner at Aircraft of World War II - Warbird Forums
- Bell P-39 Airacobra in USAAF Service
- Boyd Wagner Crash Site Researched at Johnstown Tribune Democrat
- Flyover in honor of Buzz Wagner, 2010