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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Wagner, Paul E.

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  • Wagner, Paul E.

Paul E. Wagner

Preferred Name: Paul
Date of Birth: June 20, 1932
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Brewster, WA
Headed West Date: June 1, 2017
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

Paul E. Wagner was born in Brewster, WA. In 1940, the family moved to an apple ranch near Twisp, WA in the Methow Valley. After a couple of years attending Beaver Creek, a one-room schoolhouse, Paul went to Twisp City Schools, graduating in 1950. He was active in 4-H, high school basketball, and Boy Scouts – earning his Eagle Scout rank.

From an early age, Paul loved airplanes and would seek rides whenever he could. His ambition was to fly – especially jets. He attended Earlham College in Richmond, IN for a year, then transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, WA. He majored in Agricultural Engineering and enrolled in ROTC. He received his diploma and commission in 1955.

Paul flew the F-100 at the Amarillo Tech Training Center at Misawa AFB, Japan, and England AFB, LA. He then flew the F-100 with the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, and the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Woodbridge AB, England.

Paul retired from the USAF in 1982. After retiring from the Air Force, he earned two master’s degrees and worked as a Financial Planner for seven years. He also flew for a small charter company in Sacramento. In 1989, Paul and Virginia moved to Twisp, WA to his family home. In the Methow Valley, Paul became the official volunteer airport manager for the Twisp airport. During his tenure, the dirt runway was paved and received lights. He bought a Cessna 210, which he chartered, and flew (for fun) all around the country.

He was a member of the Military Officers of America Association and Daedalian, a military pilots association.

In 2005, Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2012, as his health declined, he and Virginia moved to Huntsville, AL to be near family. Paul “Headed West” in 2017.

Units Assigned

  • 1955 Entered USAF
  • Student Pilot/Instructor, Webb AFB, TX (T-33)
  • Amarillo Tech Training Center; Misawa AFB, Japan/England AFB, LA flying (F-100)
  • 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)
  • 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Woodbridge AB, England (F-100)
  • IP, Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX (T-37)
  • Deputy Director of Operations, Incirlik AB, Turkey
  • Keesler Technical Training, Airborne Command, and Control Center, Biloxi, MS
  • 2nd Air Delivery Group, McClellan AFB, CA with the 2nd Air Delivery Group
  • 1982 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal
Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Flight Info

T-33
F-100
T-37

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • ROTC

Civilian Education:

  • Earlham College, Richmond, IN
  • 1955 BS/Agricultural Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Paul E. Wagner (LtCol USAF, Ret)  “Headed West” on June 1, 2017.

Paul E. Wagner, 84, was born on June 20, 1932, in Brewster, WA. In 1940, the family moved to an apple ranch near Twisp, WA in the Methow Valley. After a couple of years at Beaver Creek, a one-room
Paul retired there in July 1982 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His awards included The Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters. Paul was a member of the Military Officers of America Association and Daedalian, a military pilots association.

Paul and Virginia had four sons. The family accompanied Paul on all assignments with the exception of Vietnam. Paul was a loving husband and father; a gentle man. He helped all his boys become Eagle Scouts, took them snow skiing, and bought boats for water skiing. They all learned how to fix cars, do home repairs, carpentry, and lawn and garden care. Paul was also interested in music and sang in choirs and choruses, many of them directed by his wife.

After retiring from the Air Force, he earned two master’s degrees and worked as a Financial Planner for seven years. He also flew for a small charter company in Sacramento. In 1989, Paul and Virginia moved to Twisp, WA to his family home. In the Methow Valley, Paul became the official volunteer airport manager for the Twisp airport. During his tenure, the dirt runway was paved and received lights. He bought a Cessna 210, which he chartered, and flew with the Forest Service.

Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2005 and had to stop flying in 2006, as the Parkinson’s progressed. In 2012, he and Gini moved to Huntsville AL, to be near family.

Paul is survived by his wife, Gini; his 4 sons, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He was buried in Beaver Creek Cemetery near Twisp, WA.

Wagner, Paul E
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