Boyd D. Wagner’s Distinguished Service Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Boyd D. Wagner (O-021623), First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 December 1941, during an air mission over Vigan, Philippine Islands. On that date, together with First Lieutenant Russel Church, First Lieutenant Wagner undertook the hazardous mission of dive bombing the enemy-held airfield at Vigan in the Philippine Islands. When they had reached the target area, Lieutenant Wagner signaled Lieutenant Strauss in a third fighter to remain on patrol, while he and Church proceeded to bomb the airfield. As they went into a dive, Lieutenant Church’s plane was hit and set afire by anti-aircraft fire, but he continued the attack, released his bombs, and crashed to his death. Lieutenant Wagner, bitter at the lost of his comrade, dropped six fragmentation bombs and viciously strafed a fuel dump and approximately twenty planes parked on the runway, including destroying one airplane as it attempted to take off. First Lieutenant Wagner’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.