Egbert Vernon Wagner
First Lieutenant Egbert V. “Chiz” Wagner was a Marine fighter pilot with VMF-112.
He died in a mid-air collision near Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 26 January 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-9476
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 27, 1918
at Cowles, NE
Parents
Robert Wagner
Florence Adeline (Schoop) Wagner
Education
Treynor High School
Wartburg College (1939)
Occupation & Employer
Teacher (Garrison public schools)
Service Life
Entered Service
May 28, 1941 (enlisted)
April 2, 1942 (commission)
Home Of Record
Treynor, IA
Next Of Kin
Parents, Rev. Robert & Mrs. Florence Wagner
Military Specialty
Fighter Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-112
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Air Medal with Gold Star
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
First Lieutenant Egbert “Chiz” Wagner was a Cactus Air Force veteran who served two tours over Guadalcanal with VMF-112. By January, he was assigned duty as a flight leader.
On 26 January 1943, Wagner fired up the engine of his Wildcat fighter (F4F-3 BuNo 5087) and took off for a combat patrol. At an altitude of 8,500 feet, he attempted a “cross-over” maneuver with 1Lt. Thomas H. Hughes, Jr. The two airplanes collided and began to fall, spinning violently. Hughes bailed out at 7,500 feet; his parachute opened, and he drifted to a safe landing.
Wagner was seen to exit his cockpit at 6,000 feet – but never opened his parachute. His body splashed into Iron Bottom Sound about two miles offshore of Guadalcanal. Later, his fellow pilots would speculate whether Wagner’s parachute had failed, or if he had been knocked unconscious by the impact and never had a chance to pull the cord.
Burial Information or Disposition
A crash boat searched the area, and managed to retrieve Wagner’s life belt from the sea. No trace of the pilot could be found.
Although initially reported a “missing” after the incident, Wagner’s status was updated to killed in action. Because the crash occurred on a combat flight, he was eligible for the Purple Heart.
On 3 March 1944, Egbert’s younger brother – 2Lt. Richard Paul Wagner, USMC – was killed in a training accident in California. The third brother, Robert, was honorably discharged from the Navy as a result.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Robert and Florence Wagner.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Wagner fell into the waters of Iron Bottom Sound.
