Wagner was born in 1893 to Jonas and Adelaide Wagner in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. When, Wagner was ten years old, his mother died. He continued to live with his older sister and father, a Bank president. He graduated from Pottstown Senior High School in 1911, and received his appointment to the United States Naval Academy on 7 July of that year from the state of Pennsylvania. Shortly after starting at the Naval Academy, in 1912, Wagner lost his sister to Tuberculosis and his father a short time later; Wagner had no immediate family. On 5 June 1915, Wagner graduated from Annapolis, Maryland, and was commissioned in the United Staes Navy as an Ensign.
Navy
In 1916 ENS Wagner was assigned to the USS Nebraska.The following year, ENS Wagner was assigned to the USS Des Moines.On 15 October 1917, Wagner received a temporary increase in rank to Lieutenant.In June the following year, LT Wagner received the permanent rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade while will maintaining his temporary rank of Lieutenant. 2 October 1918, LT Wagner was assigned to the USS Herbert. On 1 July 1920, LT Wagner received his permanent rank of Lieutenant and was listed as being assigned to the USS McKean. At some point, Wagner claims to have taken command of the USS McKean, but is not listed as being in command in the Naval Register. July 1921, LT Wagner finished his assignment aboard the USS McKean, likely then attended Naval Aviator instruction and then received orders to Air Squadrons, Pacific Fleet on 21 December 1921. The following January, LT Wagner received orders assigning him to Air squadrons, Battle Fleet. On 11 June 1923, LT Wagner received orders to Naval air station, Pensacola, where he would stay almost two years. On 24 August 1925, LT Wagner received orders to Naval air station, Anacostia in Washington DC. On 19 January 1926, Wagner was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and the following July, LCDR Wagner received orders to the staff of the Commander of Aircraft squadrons, Battle Fleet. On 1 July 1929, LCDR Wagner received orders to the Bureau of Aeronautics. In June 1932, LCDR Wagner received orders to the USS Langley as a member of the Staff of the U.S. Fleet. On 1 January 1936, Wagner was promoted to Commander and the following June, CDR Wagner received orders to Naval Station Norfolk. In June 1939, CDR Wagner received orders to the USS Lexington. On 18 June 1940, CDR Wagner took command of the USS Langley.
Later Life
After retiring from the Navy in 1950, RADM Wagner settled in Pensacola, Florida, where he had been stationed several times. He was killed in an automobile accident in Foley, and was laid to rest at Edgewood Cemetery, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, his childhood home.
