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Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 21655. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40K-15-CU Warhawk serial number 42-10271. Mission History On November 29, 1942 took off from Eglin Field piloted by Lt. Col Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner on a flight bound for Maxwell Field in Montgomery, AL but failed to arrive. In fact, he crashed roughly five miles north of Freeport, Florida and was killed in the crash. Afterwards, his body was recovered. Wreckage This Warhawk crashed roughly four miles north of Freeport, Florida. During early 1943, the crash site was found and the remains of the pilot recovered. After the crash site was first found in 1943, his remains were recovered and returned to his family. During 2003, James Moschgat began searching to relocate the crash site. During 2006, he relocated the crash site including the impact crater. Excavating the impact crater, he found additional remains and his class ring, pieces of his parachute and even a portion of map. Memorials Wagner died November 29, 1942 at age 26. He is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Southmont, PA at CA2, Lot 24. At the top of his grave is the U.S. Army Air Force wings with a star plus the oak leaf indicating the the rank of Lt. Col and a relief of his portrait wearing flight gear. Below is the epitaph: "In memoriam Lieutenant Colonel Boyd D. Wagner first American ace World War II U.S. Army Air Crops * Born Oct. 26, 1916 Died in the service of his country * Out of these hill deep-rooted in the earth yet always reaching for the beckoning sky, he drew the quality which called his worth his lowliness as prestige mounted high." The Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter in Johnstown, PA is named in honor of Lt. Col. B. D. “Buzz” Wagner, also known as simply the "Buzz Wagner Chapter". References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40K-5-CU Warhawk 42-10271 "10271 crashed near Eglin Field, FL Nov 29, 1942, killing Lt. Col Boyd "Buzz" Wagner, first USAAF ace of WW2." November 1942 USAAF Stateside Accident Reports - P-40K Warhawk 42-10271 FindAGrave - LTC Boyd David “Buzz” Wagner (photo, grave photos) Detroit Free Press "Heroism Emblazons 4 Names at Top of Pacific Honor Roll" December 13, 1941 page 17 The Philadelphia Inquirer "Suicide Japs Outdone: Another U.S. Air Hero Gives Live to Sink Ship" December 19, 1941 page 3 The Evening News "Famous War Ace Missing in South" December 3, 1942 pages 1, 15 (Page 1) "International News Service Washington, Dec. 3. - Army planes and ground units today were conducting an extensive search over Alabama and western Florida for Lieut.-Col. Boyd (Buzz) Wagner, crack flying ace of World War II who has been missing on a routine flight since Monday. Wagner, 26-year-old hero of air battles over Bataan [sic Luzon] and the south-west Pacific, has been unreported since taking off from Elgin Field, Fla., approximately forty-six miles east of Pensacola, for a flight to Maxwell Field at Montgomery, Ala." The Tribune-Democrat "Researcher’s work shines the spotlight on World War II hero 'Buzz' Wagner" by Deann Hadix-Cardarella April 20, 2009 Johnstown, PA The Tribune-Democrat "I’m honored" by DeAnn Cardarella August 11, 2010 Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute
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