Honoring Harlan's Hero: Sergeant Grey Wagner's Legacy
At a moving Veterans Day dinner in Yankton, Chief Warrant Officer Shane Toupal honored Harlan's own Sergeant Grey Wagner, a Vietnam War hero. Discover the extraordinary acts of bravery that earned Wagner the Distinguished Service Cross and his enduring legacy.
During a heartfelt Veterans Day dinner at the Ernest-Bowyer Post 791 in Yankton, retired Chief Warrant Officer Shane Toupal honored the memory of Sergeant Grey Wagner from Harlan, Iowa. Wagner, who served during the Vietnam War, posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary bravery while under enemy fire.
Toupal recounted Wagner's selfless actions on January 10, 1968, which included commanding a machine gun position and leading his men despite severe injuries. His story came to Toupal’s attention through a chance meeting with Wagner’s daughter, prompting him to delve into Wagner’s heroism.
Wagner’s unit faced overwhelming enemy forces, but they demonstrated remarkable courage, ultimately pushing back the attackers. Tragically, Sergeant Wagner lost his life that night, and Toupal emphasized the importance of sharing such stories to remember the sacrifices made by veterans.
Toupal encourages all veterans to document their experiences to ensure that stories like Wagner’s are not forgotten. To read more about this emotional tribute, visit the original article.
