- SURNAME
Wagner
- FORENAME
Arthur
- UNIT
U.S.N.R. NCDU (attached USS Cherokee)
- RANK
Chief Boatswains Mate
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
North Africa 1942
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Gloucester, Massachusetts
born 5.3.1910 Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA
mother Alice Wagner
employed by Steam Ship Heredia
resided 15 Pearl, Gloucester, Massachusetts (draft card)
16.10.1940 draft card Philadelphia, Massachusetts
15.09.1941 entered service
17.07.1946 discharged
died 24.04.1979 (Aged 69) Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Gloucester, Massachusetts
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Arthur Wagner, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty as member of a demolition party attached to the Fleet Tug U.S.S. CHEROKEE (AT-66), during the assault on and occupation of French Morocco from 8 to 11 November 1942. Assigned the extremely dangerous task of cutting through an enemy obstruction in order that the U.S.S. DALLAS could navigate up the Sebou River in order to land raiders near a strategic airport, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Wagner and his shipmates, on the night of 9 November, proceeded with grim determination toward their objective. Despite the treacherous surf, he and his comrades skillfully and courageously accomplished their hazardous mission of cutting the cables at the mouth of the river, as guns from the French fort opened fire. Countering the enemy’s attack until out of range, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Wagner and the other members of his party, in spite of the enormous breakers which battered their boat, brought her back to safety. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-21603/FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/272706599/arthur-wagner
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