WAGNER JERRY T

MAJ Jerry T Wagner was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/23/2017 at the age of 77.3
Waynesboro, VA
Flight Classes 64 and 66-?GQC
Date of Birth 12/19/1939
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 187 AHC in 66-67, 118 AHC in 68, 119 AHC in 70, 57 AHC in 71
Call signs in Vietnam BLACKHAWK 60, ALLIGATOR 6, GLADIATOR 6
This information was provided by Harold Bowen

More detail on this person: Jerry T. Wagner was born on December 19, 1939 in Roanoke, Virginia hut his childhood was spent in Front Royal, Virginia with his parentc; and younger brother, Ronnie. From an early age Jerry was committed to a life of service and leadership, attending Randolph Macon Academy, in Front Royal, Virginia. He then attended the prestigious Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1962. A life- long karnr, Jerry later obtained his Masters of Science Degree fT.om Shippensburg University in 1984. Ed Howe, Jerry's lifelong VMI friend recalled at their graduation Jerry's happiness and exciten1ent over four things; he was going to have a new car, a diploma from VMI, an Army Commission and finally, that he was going to marry Candace Monroe. Grinning, Jerry added, "How can any guy be that lucky, now I can marry Candy!" Jerry was commissioned in the US Army in1963 as an infantry officer. After attending Army Flight School, Jerry accumulated over 4600 flight hours and 1800 hours while serving two tours in Vietnam. On his last assignment, Jerry had the distinction of being one of only 1 Colonels to fly the AH-64 Apache helicopter. He attended all levels of schools from Officer Basic Course to the War College and commanded aviation unite; at every level. Jerry's decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/"V"& 43 Oak Leaf Clusters, ARCOM w/"V" & 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Master Aviator Wings, Parachutist Wings, The Air Assault Badge and several service and foreign decorations. After retiring from the Army in 1988, Jerry became a Registered Financial Advisor for USPA & First Command Financial Planning in Killeen TX servicing the Fort Hood Army Post. He won company "Rookie of the Year" and "Salesman of The Year" for the SW Region. In 1990 he was promoted to District Manager in Little Rock AR servicing Little Rock USAF Base. In 1993 he was promoted to District Manager in Oceanside CA servicing the Camp Pendleton Marine Base. In 2001 he was assigned as a Client Field Advisor in Charlottesville VA servicing Southern VA & WV until he retired in January 2015. When he was not working, Jerry's passion was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was a member of the Patriot Guard, riding in and supporting military funerals. While Jerry's professional life was rewarding, his personal life was a blessing. In addition to being married to Candy for 55 years they had two children; Jerry T. Wagner, Jr. (wife, Kathleen Wagner), and Carrie Merrell Wagner. Five grandchildren followed; Jessica Wagner Green (husband, Scotty Green), Lauren Wagner (fiance, Scot Sutton), Elise Wagner, Alexandra Sanchez and Garrett Sanchez. The Wagner family just welcomed Jerry's first great grandson, Brooks Green!

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery

This information was last updated 06/22/2017

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Date posted on this site: 04/13/2025