Louis C Wagner, Jr

Military career

Wagner was born on January 24, 1932 in Jackson, Missouri. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1954, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, armor, and awarded a Bachelor of Science degree. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois. His military education includes completion of the United States Army Armor School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and Naval War College. He also completed the Airborne and Ranger Schools at the United States Army Infantry School.

He held a wide variety of important command and staff positions including his last assignment as Commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command from April 13, 1987 to September 26, 1989.

Other key assignments included Commanding General of the U.S. Army Armor Center, Commandant, U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans (Force Development), HQDA, Washington, D.C. From July 31, 1984 until assuming command of AMC, General Wagner served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.

General Wagner served in a variety of progressive assignments preparatory to becoming the Commander of AMC. These included his initial assignment as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Company Commander and Assistant S-4, 11th Airborne Division (later redesignated the 24th Infantry Division), Fort Campbell, Kentucky and U.S. Army Europe, followed by assignment as a Troop Commander in the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky. He instructed at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, for three years, then was assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

General Wagner served as a Test Officer and Chief, Armor Test Division at the U.S. Army Arctic Test Center, Fort Greely, Alaska, for two years, followed by assignment as Commander of a light airborne armor battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After attending the Naval War College, he returned to Vietnam as an infantry and armor advisor.

He next became a staff officer in the Weapons Systems Analysis Directorate in the Office, Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, followed by assignment as the Executive, Materiel Programs Directorate. He was then assigned as Deputy Director of Materiel Programs in the Office of the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, followed by assignment as the Executive, Materiel Programs Directorate. He then was assigned as Deputy Director of Materiel Programs in the Office of the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army and, subsequently, Special Assistant for the Army Materiel Acquisition Review Committee in the same office.

In November 1974, General Wagner became the Commander of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Armored Division in Germany. After promotion to general officer, he was assigned as the Deputy Director, Combat Support Systems, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Research, Development and Acquisition), U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.

During his Army career, General Wagner received the following awards and decorations: Distinguished Service Cross, two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, two awards of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Air Medal, three awards of the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and various foreign decorations. General Wagner retired from the Army in September 1989.