Heroic Journey of a Local American Patriot

PANAMA CITY, FL - Sergeant Daniel Wagner, a father of five, grandfather of twenty-four and veteran who served during multiple conflicts, on two continents, has been a partially disabled veteran since an accident, nearly 50 years ago, which did not stop this loyal patriot.

During the Occupation of Japan by the Allies of World War II, on August 13, 1946, at the age of sixteen, Wagner enlisted in the Army Air Corps, to receive job training, because his mother could no longer take care of him, serving for a total of 15 years. Being the good son that he was, he eventually returned to take care of her.

Wagner was mechanically inclined but was surprised to be assigned to Aviation Mechanics, maintaining all aircraft in the Pacific, such as the A-26, the F-80, built by Lockheed, and the F-86, built by North American Aviation Inc., to meet a required top speed of 600 mph, to counter the MIG-15 in high-speed dogfights. This single-seat, single-engine jet fighter, could exceed the sound barrier in a dive. There is an F-86 currently on display at Tyndall Air Force Base.

Wagner was discharged from the Army as a Corporal on July 26th, 1949, receiving a WW II Victory Medal for service during the occupation of Japan, from 1946 to 1949, and an Army of Occupation Medal for service from 1947 to 1949. Wagner was promoted to Sergeant, September 20, 1951.

The wing to which he was initially assigned had four squadrons, three of which went to Korea. He was awarded a United Nations Service Medal and a Korean Service Medal for service from 1950 to 1952.

Wagner crossed the 190th Meridian (International Date Line) four times, receiving a Certificate on May 19, 1952, while onboard the U.S.S. General Mann. The three other trips between San Francisco to Yokohama, Japan, were on the U.S.N.S. General Collins, all operated by the Merchant Marines.

Wagner had a TDY in Greenland, on May 18, 1953, then re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserves on October 21, 1953.

On July 26, 1957, during the Vietnam War, he re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserves, at Clinton County AFB, in Wilmington, Ohio, serving until July 20, 1960.

Wagner returned to active duty, on October 28, 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Wagner was awarded a National Defense Medal for service during wartime and an Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Ribbon for demonstration of exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity.

After being honorably discharged, Wagner worked for four years for General Electric, to help build jet engines. On May 10, 1968, Service Engineering hired and trained him in air conditioning/heating installation and repair, where he worked until suffering hand and wrist injuries on August 3, 1977, when a container exploded while preparing to add freon to an air conditioning system. The Job Partnership Training Act sponsored further training, and Wagner was hired by Foodmax, a local grocery store chain.

Wagner now lives in Panama City with a granddaughter, Tammy Converse, and her husband.