By Charlie and Ann Cooper-Zenith Press

 

Flying a Curtiss P-40 War Hawk fighter, US Army Air Force Lieutenant Boyd “Buzz” Wagner became the first American “Ace” in the Pacific Theater downing two Japanese planes on December 12, 1941. This piece gives a good summary of the battle for the Philippines (December 1941 – May 1942) ending with the tragic surrender of Corregidor by General Jonathan Wainwright. BB

(Source: R. Blume Collection)

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