Donald Frederick Wagner
Donald Frederick Wagner
Rank: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Serial: O-735844
Unit: 720th Bomber Squadron, 450th Bomber Group
Entered service from: New Jersey
Died: , Romania
Burial: Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ — Plot DS 1B
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Biography
Second Lieutenant Donald Frederick Wagner grew up in Burlington County, NJ and graduated from Riverside High School in Riverside, NJ in 1938. Born on November 29, 1920, he was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Wagner. The Wagner family moved to a home at 424 North 6th Street in Camden, NJ shortly after Donald Wagner graduated high school. He took a job at the RCA-Victor plant in Camden, a short walk from his home.
Joining the war effort, Donald Wagner entered the Army Air Forces and was trained as a pilot, flying a B-24 Liberator. He was assigned to the 720th Bomber Squadron of the 450th Bomber Group, based in Italy.
On his 15th mission, the 450th Bomber Group attacked the railroad marshaling yards at Ploesti, Romania. At 2:30 in the afternoon, his plane was attacked by German fighters and was on fire. The nose gunner was killed instantly and another was wounded. Don gave the order to bail out. As the crew were bailing out, the plane went into a dive. He went back to the cockpit and pulled the plane level so that all the men could get out safely. Before he could get out, the plane exploded. The seven other men all bailed out safely and were made prisoners of war, although one man died of wounds received in the plane and when he landed.
Upon confirmation of his death, a memorial service for Donald Wagner was held at the Moravian Church in Riverside, NJ on October 15, 1944.
On September 25, 1945, the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded posthumously to Lt. Wagner in a ceremony held at New Castle Army Air Base in New Castle, DE.
Donald Frederick Wagner was brought home to New Jersey after the war. On June 8, 1949, he was buried in the Distinguished Service section of Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ. For his gallant actions, he received the Distinguished Service Cross — our nation’s second highest award for valor — along with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart. Two friends of his have named their sons after him.
Man Who Gave Life To Save Pals Cited
Camden Courier-Post —
Mother of Camden Flier Receives DSC in Ceremony at New Castle
New Castle Army Air Base, Del., Sept. 25. — The Distinguished Service Cross, highest decoration ever presented at New Castle Army Air Base, was awarded here posthumously to Lt. Donald F. Wagner, B-24 pilot, of Camden, whose actions saved the lives of his crew at the expense of his own.
Mrs. Louis P. Wagner, of 424 North Sixth street, mother of the dead flier, accepted the award from Col. Russell Keillor, commanding officer of this ATC Ferrying Division installation. She was accompanied by Roy Hubbard, who witnessed the ceremonies.
The decoration, second only to the Congressional Medal, was authorized by the commanding general of the Army Air Forces in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. The Camden officer served with the 15th Air Force in Italy. His citation, read by Lt. William L. Burns, executive officer of the Second Foreign Transport Group, stated:
“For extraordinary heroism as a pilot of a B-24 Liberator on a mission over vital enemy marshalling yards and oil refineries on April 5, 1944. The target was sharply defended by an unusual concentration of heavy antiaircraft guns and a possible total of 205 fighter aircraft focused attacks against the lead squadron of which Lieutenant Wagner was a member.
“His craft was severely hit, causing a blazing inferno in the loaded bomb bay. Lieutenant Wagner displayed cool courage and intrepid leadership in directing his crew to abandon aircraft.
“Personally and after a great deal of effort, he helped an unconscious crew member to safety.
“Lieutenant Wagner was entirely cognizant of his own precarious position attributed to the imminent danger of the aircraft exploding, but despite this his heroic action resulted in all members of his crew being saved at the sacrifice of his own life.
“His exemplary conduct was in keeping with the highest tradition of military service and reflects great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Hero's Services To Be Wednesday
Camden Courier-Post —
Services for Lt. Donald F. Wagner, who was killed over Romania, April 5, 1944, at the age of 23, will be held at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Murray funeral home, 408 Cooper street, where friends may call Tuesday night. The Rev. R. C. Bassett, pastor of the Riverside Moravian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the National cemetery, Beverly. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Wagner, 3088 Carman street.
Lieutenant Wagner was posthumously awarded the DSC for saving the crew of the B-24 of which he was pilot at the sacrifice of his own life. He was born in Philadelphia, was a graduate of Riverside High school and was a former employe of RCA. VFW Post 980 will be in charge of the military rites. He is survived by his parents.
Photos
Grave of Donald Frederick Wagner at Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ.