Philip E. WAGNER

WAGNER, Philip E.
2nd Lt. Army Air Corps (USAF)
World War II
Born July 22, 1922
Final Flight November 16, 2013
Mr. Wagner was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and raised in Abingdon, IL where he graduated from Abingdon High School. He was working as a lineman when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in December 1943.


He was a B-24 bomber pilot in Northern and Southern France and saw air combat in the Balkans. His plane was shot down - his 13th mission - on a bombing raid over the oil fields of Ploesti, Romania in August 1944. His entire crew survived. He was a German prisoner of war until rescued and released in June 1945. Returning to civilian life he attended and graduated summa cum laude from Purdue University. Moving to the Sacramento Valley he worked as a crop duster, and subsequently was the owner/ pilot of his own business, Wagner Aviation, in Robbins, CA for 40+ years.

Mr. Wagner was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Anna Mae Rankin Wagner, his parents, E.E. and Flossie (Tolliver) Wagner, and one sister, Betty Jeanne Bauck. He is survived by his sister, Norma Swanson of Owatonna, MN, son, Paul and daughter Pamela, grandson Todd (Erika) Wagner and great-grandchildren Serena and Gavin.

He served on the School Board of Robbins, CA in the 1950s, was that town's first fire chief, serving for several decades, and a member of Lions International, Masons, a Life Member of Elks Woodland Lodge 1299 and a member of the 49ers Chapter of American Ex POW. He was recipient of the European African Middle Eastern Air Service Medal as well as the Capital Region Chapter American Red Cross Commemorative Coin military recognition in January 2013.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday November 26, 2013 at McNary's Funeral Home 458 College St., Woodland, CA at 2:00 p.m.. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.

The family thanks the Sutter Hospitals' Hospice team, and his devoted caregivers Suzanne, Trinidad and Debbie, and North Sacramento Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Phil's memory to a charity of your choice or Capital Region Chapter American Red Cross, 1565 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815 (indicate for 'The Wagner Family Fund for Services to Armed Forces and Veterans').