Boyd Wagner

Lieutenant Colonel Boyd David "Buzz" Wagner (October 26, 1916 – November 29, 1942) was an American aviator and the first United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighter ace of World War II.[1] He grew up in Nanty-Glo, near Johnstown, and studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh for three years before joining the Army Air Corps.[3] 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 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters.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.[1] It was decided 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.
Boyd “Buzz” Wagner in 1941 or 1942
Buzz Wagner in 1940
Original Hangars and Flightline - Thirteenth Air Force ( Clark Freeport Zone )
Emeigh, PennsylvaniaWalton County, FloridaGrandview Cemetery, JohnstownUnited States Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air ForcesLieutenant Colonel17th Pursuit SquadronWorld War IIDistinguished Service CrossDistinguished Flying CrossPurple Heartfighter aceEmeighCambria County, PennsylvaniaNanty-GloJohnstownUniversity of PittsburghArmy Air CorpsPhilippines24th Pursuit GroupNichols FieldCurtiss P-40AparriMitsubishi A6M ZeroClark FieldNakajima Ki-278th Fighter GroupNew GuineaBell P-39Buffalo, New YorkEglin FieldFloridaMaxwell FieldAlabamaGrandview CemeteryJohnstown, PennsylvaniaClark Freeport ZoneUnited States Army Air Forces pilot badgeAmerican Defense Service Medalservice starAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalcampaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalPhilippine Defense MedalArmy Presidential Unit Citationoak leaf clusterPhilippine Presidential Unit CitationClark Air BaseHistory of Clark Air BaseList of World War II flying acesAir Force AssociationThe Tribune-DemocratFind a Grave