Harold Wagner Killed on Dec. 23
Death of Waterloo Flier Is Disclosed.
Second Lt. Harold Dean Wagoner, 21, previously reported missing in action in Germany since. Dec. 23, 1944, was killed on that date, according to a war department telegram received Saturday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Wagoner, 129 Rosebud avenue.
Lieutenant Wagoner was serving as a pilot on a B-26 Marauder in the Ninth air force on missions over Bastogne, Belgium, when reported missing. Unusual circumstances resulted in the long lapse of time before the message of his death could be relayed here, the telegram stated, but no detailed information was received.
A graduate of West high school in January, 1943, he enlisted in the army air corps on Mar. 9, 1943, and received his commission at the Douglas army air base, Douglas, Ariz., on May 23, 1944.
He left the United States in July and began flying missions over enemy territory on Aug. 2.
Moved Here in 1936.
He was born Mar. 7, 1924, in Fort Madison, Ia., son of Harry D. and Verna Wagoner, attended schools in Davenport, Ia., until 1936 when the family moved to Waterloo, and here attended Whittier and West high schools. He was prominent in athletics at West high, playing on the basketball and football teams.
Lieutenant Wagoner was a member [Page 24] of the First Methodist church in Davenport.
Parents Survive.
Surviving are his parents, a sister, Betty, and a brother, Richard, both at home. Also surviving are the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. McCabe of Fort Madison, Ia.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, June 17, 1945, Section Two, Pages 13 & 24 (photo included)
Service News
Second Lt. Harold D. Wagoner, son of Mr. and Mrs.H. D. Wagoner, 129 Rosebud avenue, has been posthumously awarded the Air Medal and three oak leaf clusters “in recognition of meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights in Europe.” The medals have been sent to the soldier’s parents. Lieutenant Wagoner, a B-25 pilot, was killed in action on Dec. 23, 1944. He had enlisted in the army air corps Mar. 9, 1943.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Tuesday, September 26, 1945, Page 10
2nd Lt. Harold Dean Wagoner is buried in Hill Crest Memorial Park, Fort Madison, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
