Captain (Air Corps) Meyer C. Wagner, Jr. (ASN: 0-726521), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by the Germans after he was shot down on 8 August 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in 1945.
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Captain (Air Corps) Meyer C. Wagner, Jr. (ASN: 0-726521), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by the Germans after he was shot down on 8 August 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in 1945.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Meyer C. Wagner, Jr. (ASN: 0-726521), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a member of the Air Crew of a Bomber in the EIGHTH Air Force as Commander on a heavy bombardment mission, 8 August 1944. Prior to reaching the target, Captain Wagner was painfully wounded and his aircraft heavily damaged as the result of encountering intense and accurate flak. Two engines were knocked out, most of the instruments and controls damaged, and a fire, fed by leaking gasoline and oxygen, broke out in the cock-pit. Signaling for the deputy leader to take cover, he skillfully maneuvered the battered aircraft out of the formation. Still in a heavy flak area and unable to take proper evasive actions due to the condition of the plane, Captain Wagner ordered the crew to bail out. With utter disregard for his own safety, he remained at the controls until all were clear. Not until then did he leave the aircraft. The gallantry, resourcefulness and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Wagner on this occasion, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.