Born 29 February 1924, Philadelphia, PA. Wagner earned his Bachelor's degree in 1953 and his Master's in 1955, both from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and soon after graduation headed to San Diego to teach at Crawford High School, a brand new school which opened in 1957. A devout reader and collector of aviation memorabilia, Ray Wagner retired from school teaching and worked as the archivist at the San Diego Air & Space Museum from 1985 to 2001. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the International Aerospace Hall of Fame, Wagner was one of the founders of the American Aviation Historical Society, serving on its Board as Vice-President from 1971-1976. He has written a number of scholarly books and articles on aviation with his most recent project detailing the history of the Chinese Air Force from 1923-1942. Wagner was a passionate researcher and articulate writer of aviation reference books, the first of which was published in 1960. The fact-filled American Combat Planes described all U. S. military aircraft built from 1917 to the jet age and was highly sought after by serious aviation enthusiasts, today the book is considered to be one of the most comprehensive and authoritative histories ever written on military aircraft. In 1963, he wrote North American Sabre, and during the 1970s, he co-authored two works -- German Combat Planes, published in 1970, and The Soviet Air Force in World War II, published in 1973. The latter is considered to be one of only two official histories of the Soviet Air Force. In 1990, he authored Mustang Designer: Edgar Schmued and the P-51. The book was praised for its accurate account of the development and deployment of perhaps the most famous fighter aircraft of World War II. During his years at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, Wagner wrote numerous articles and monographs on military aviation history. His most recent project, a history of the Chinese Air Force between 1923 and 1942, was unfinished prior to his death. He was also working on a manuscript entitled Decade of Decision (1931-1942) which describes philosophically, the interaction between aviation technology and the social-economic environment.
Inducted in 2012.
Portrait Location: Hall of Fame Hallway

Induction Video