Skip to Main Content

Grave of Boyd D. Wagner.

Grave of USA's First WWII Air Ace

Field review by the editors.

Johnstown, Pennsylvania

The tall tombstone of Boyd D. Wagner announces that he was "First American Ace World War II." It's engraved with a portrait of a dashing young man with a Clark Gable mustache and leather flying helmet. Fifteen days after Pearl Harbor, Wagner's squadron took out 26 Japanese planes in the desperate fight for the Philippines, earning him the "ace" title as well as his nickname, Buzz, for his daring aerial approach. He was featured in Time magazine. Life magazine called him a "one-man air force." Hollywood announced that it would make a movie of his life.

The tombstone notes that Wagner "died in the service of his country" less than a year after Pearl Harbor. It was not as glorious as his combat exploits; Buzz crashed in his plane only 25 miles from an airport in Florida. It took searchers over a month to find the wreck, and when they did Buzz was pretty much gone; he had to be identified by the contents of his wallet. The movie never got made, but Buzz was honored with this fine gravestone.

Grave of USA's First WWII Air Ace

Grandview Cemetery

Address:
Johnstown, PA
Directions:
Grandview Cemetery. Drive to end of cemetery entrance road. Turn right. Drive along road. Make seventh left (follow line of trees), then make fifth left (at tree traffic circle) -- the sharpest left possible. Drive up road. Grave will be on left, along road, maybe twenty graves up.
Hours:
Gates open M-F 8-4, Sa 8-1 Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

World's Steepest Railway for CarsWorld's Steepest Railway for Cars, Johnstown, PA - < 1 mi.
Morley's DogMorley's Dog, Johnstown, PA - < 1 mi.
Haunted Hotel: World's Largest Ouija BoardHaunted Hotel: World's Largest Ouija Board, Windber, PA - 7 mi.
In the region:
Big Mac Museum Restaurant, North Huntingdon, PA - 40 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Pennsylvania

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Pennsylvania.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Pennsylvania Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings