David Raymond Wagener

 Captain David Raymond Wagener was born on June 22, 1939 to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence L. Wagener of Saline, Michigan. David is a 1957 graduate of Saline High School where he was an honor student, an outstanding athlete lettering in football, basketball and track. He also attended the University of Michigan prior to enlisting in the Air Force in 1959. He also attended the University of Delaware. David received his Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He attended Aviation Cadet Training at Harlingen Air Force Base in Texas. He received his pilot flying wings at Williams Air Base, Chandler, Arizona.

Captain Wagener began his tour of duty in Udorn, Thailand serving with the 602nd Fighter Squadron, 14th Air Commando Wing, 7th Air Force. According to a posting from a colleague, Ira Cooperman, "Dave Wagener was a friend and a brave 'Sandy' pilot. While stationed at Udorn RTAFB in 1966, he flew 'cover' for helicopter missions attempting to rescue downed American pilots in Laos, as well as to support friendly forces on the ground in Laos. It was from one of those missions that he did not return." On October 20, 1966, Captain Wagener was shot down and killed about 20 miles north of the DMZ in Quang Binh Province. His body was not recovered.

David Raymond Wagener finally came home on December 5, 1997 when his remains were discovered. David is survived by his wife, mother and two brothers. He lived 27 years, 3 months and 28 days. He is resting in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington, Section 6, Site 595. David's name is listed on the Vietnam Memorial in Ypsilanti Township in two locations. The first location is on the bench in front of the Memorial listed with two other men listed as MIA. The second location is on the Vietnam Memorial under Ann Arbor. His name also appears on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC on Panel 11E Line 092.

View Name on Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC

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