scott64
Posts: 4019
Joined: 9/12/2004 From: Colorado Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GB68 quote:
ORIGINAL: m10bob One of my favourite stories of the events of that day, is that Buzz Wagner, one of the few American pilots to get aloft, and fight the Japanese, was also in the P 38 flight which intercepted Yamamoto's Betty transport flight.. This was his plane at Pearl. huh?? My recollection is he was based in the PI, not at Pearl. And died (MIA) late 1942, when Yamamoto died April 1943? Unless there is another Buzz Wagner? Anyway, my thoughts are also with the heros of that day. Be it in Pearl or in SE Asia. Or those unknown to us. Lest we forget! From Wienie Roasting Boyd David Wagner 1941- The first Ace in World War II was First Lieutenant Boyd David Wagner of Johnstown, PA. On December 11th, Lieutenant Boyd D. 'Buzz' Wagner, Commander of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, took off on a one-man reconnaissance mission to observe the Japanese landings at Aparri.As he flew over Aparri, Wagner could not resist decending lower to strafe the enemy.In doing so, he was jumped by five Zeros. To escape, 'Buzz' rolled over and dived for the sea, but he failed to escape from two of the Zeros following him. He suddenly chopped his power and the enemy planes zoomed passed him and came into his gun sights. 'Buzz' blazed away with his machine-guns and the two zeros burst into flames.In a daring maneuver, Lt.Wagner made another pass coming back low over the water.The Japanese were surprised. 'Buzz' strafed 12 parked Zeros, and left, leaving several planes burning.The U.S. Command was not pleased with Wagner's extra air involvement on the mission.However, his actions were soon overlooked. Several days later 'Buzz' Wagner headed a flight of three P-40s against an enemy-held field at Vigan, Philippines.Lt.Wagner and his wingmen, Lieutenants Church and Strauss began to rip up the field with 30-pound fragmentation bombs. Wagner was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his exploits at Vigan.
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