Burton Ales Wagner
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

In December 1950, Sergeant First Class Burton Ales Wagner was serving with Company A, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 2 December, SFC Wagner's unit was engaged with enemy forces at Yopo-ri, North Korea, and he was given the mission of providing security for a crew from his company that was building a bridge across the Taedong River. SFC Wagner was checking his positions for maximum defense when suddenly attacked by Chinese Communist troops apparently intent on sweeping through his line of resistance and destroying the bridgehead. He moved forward alone to engage and delay the enemy so the crew members would be alerted against surprise attack. Armed only with a carbine, he exposed himself to enemy observation and action and delivered accurate fire into the advancing hostile force until his position was overrun and he was mortally wounded. SFC Wagner's courageous stand alerted the company and enabled the men to contain the enemy attack and save the bridgehead. SFC Wagner's noble self-sacrifice earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Burton Ales Wagner (ASN: RA-16242452), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. Sergeant First Class Wagner distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Yopo-ri, North Korea, on 2 December 1950. Given the mission of providing security for a crew from his company in the process of building a bridge across the Taedong River, Sergeant First Class Wagner was checking his positions for maximum defense when suddenly attacked by Chinese Communist troops apparently intent on sweeping through his line of resistance and destroying the bridgehead. He courageously moved forward alone to engage and sufficiently delay the foe in order that the members of the crew might be alerted against surprise attack. Armed only with a carbine, he fearlessly exposed himself to enemy observation and action and delivered a deadly accurate fire into the advancing hostile force until his position was overrun and he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Wagner's magnificent stand alerted the company and enabled the men to contain the enemy attack and save the bridgehead. His courage, fortitude, and noble self-sacrifice reflect great credit on himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 85 (September 25, 1951)

Memorialization

The remains of Sergeant First Class Burton Ales Wagner have never been recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on Court 8 of the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, HI.

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