Lt. Col. Ray Herbert Wagner
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and decorated World War II veteran passed away Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007, in Wenatchee. Ray Herbert Wagner was born Feb. 17, 1922, in Sioux City, Iowa to Ray Wagner and Maude Marie Sutherland. He married his high school sweetheart Shirley Jean Tucker on Jan. 15, 1943, and enlisted in the Army the same month as a 2nd Lieutenant. As a member of the 382nd regiment of the 96th Infantry Division (the "Deadeye" Division of World War II), he participated in some of the most critical battles of the Pacific front, including the battles at Leyte and Okinawa. The 96th received the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation for its achievements on Okinawa. Ray received the Silver Star for "gallantry in action against the enemy on Okinawa Island on 12 May 1945." He served in the Korean War and was posted around the world, including tours in Greece, Germany, Honolulu, and Washington, D.C. He received two bronze stars and two purple hearts during his 20-year career. He will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on July 1, 2008.
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