William Wagner

William Wagner served in the U.S. Navy from 1931 to 1961. He served on board the submarine USS Growler (SS-215) during World War II as a chief quartermaster (CQM). The submarine on display at the Intrepid Museum, the former USS Growler (SSG-577), is the namesake of this earlier submarine.

Wagner was awarded a Silver Star Medal for his bravery on February 7, 1943, while serving on board USS Growler (SS-215) in the Pacific. This is the action in which Growler’s wounded commanding officer, Howard Gilmore, sacrificed his own life for the safety of the submarine. Wagner helped move injured crew members to safety and worked to control flooding in the conning tower.

Archival materials in the collection provide more information regarding the totality of Wagner’s U.S. Navy service.