After Jack Wagner’s discharge from the Army Air Force in 1945, he returned to the Cleveland area and joined his father, who remained in association with the hardware firm, W. Bingham & Co. Wagner regained employment with this firm, which had business contacts throughout the country. Jack became a regional salesman and relocated to the Cumberland area, originally living on Greene Street. He later moved to Wiley Ford, WV, near the Cumberland Airport and would retain this residence for many years thereafter. Jack was recognized for expert salesmanship in the hardware business. There was high demand for copper pipe, reportedly used in many moonshine stills located around the area. Wagner regularly made large sales of the copper, much appreciated by his company, but having no concern for the materials eventually use.
In 1959 the Cumberland Soaring Group was jointly founded by local dentist Dr. Bob Poling and Bill Holbrook, who served as Kelly Springfield’s Chief Pilot for their Flight Operations based at the local airfield. This venture was undertaken when both aviators attended the Schweizer Soaring School at Elmira, NY. The duo then experimented by towing a small glider behind a speeding automobile on the local airfield. The Cumberland Soaring Group grew and prospered and continues as an active organization to this day. The nearby Knobley Mountain range is ideal for the necessary updraft currents needed for soaring.
Prior to his arrival in this area, Wagner had gained his pilot’s license in Michigan, and owned and regularly flew a Stinson aircraft. After moving to Cumberland, he joined the Soaring Group, and eventually became its Chief Pilot. In this position he was the acknowledged expert on soaring and passed judgment on members’ flying capabilities.
In a chance meeting with United States Maryland Senator J. Glenn Beall, Wernher von Braun made a query as to a location where he could be removed from the limelight and pursue his avocation of soaring. Senator Beall quickly indicated that an ideal site was at the Cumberland Airport, not far from von Braun’s employment at Fairchild Industries. Von Braun did not distance himself from the media. With his research and NASA position, he had been exposed to direct contact with three United States presidents, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson. Von Braun was certainly widely recognized and generally sought the publicity. But he was of a mindset that he wanted a locale where he could relax and enjoy life’s other interests well removed from the media attention. The avoidance of recognition was not total by von Braun in Western Maryland. At a 1972 gathering of the Western Maryland Chamber of commerce in Keyser, WV, von Braun was a guest speaker and greatly impressed the gathering. In that same year he spoke of the space age at a function at Keyser High School, introduced by long term Congressman Harley Staggers.
Thus, the coming together of this odd couple, a wartime hero known for shooting down German fighter aircraft, and the internationally recognized leader of German rocket development and later NASA scientist who laid the groundwork for the United States going to the moon. Wagner checked out von Braun in Jack’s own LiBelle glider and acknowledged his competency and proficiency. Von Braun’s wife, Maria, and his daughter, Iris, frequently accompanied him to Cumberland. Later, under Jack Wagner’s tutelage, Iris von Braun successful soloed in a glider. In the long established tradition, Iris’ shirttail was cut off, the happy occurrence detailed and written in magic marker for prosperity. That shirttail still hangs on the wall of the soaring group’s hangar wall.
Jack Wagner and Wernher von Braun developed a binding friendship, with von Braun frequently being entertained and staying over at Wagner’s home. There was apparently little detailed discussion of past war time experiences from either side. At least those that were privy to the conversations of the duo recall no such discussion. However, Bill Holbrook recalls a time when von Braun spoke at length on earth orbit, space flight, and how, with a well pursued plan, mankind could go to the moon and return. Holbrook stated that, to this day, he regrets not having a tape recorder in hand to retain this impromptu dissertation by the master of space.
In one interesting incident von Braun suffered a hand injury while at the airport and wanted to ignore it although the cut was fairly deep. But he was convinced by some club members that it was severe enough that he ought to get medical response. They then escorted Wernher to the old Sacred Heart Hospital. While traveling it was decided that, since von Braun desired to remain incognito, a made up name was to be used when checking in. An attending nurse, a sister at the Catholic institution, became very suspicious and began asking searching questions. But probably due to von Braun/s charisma the ruse worked and the wound was sewn up without further concern. Another version of this story is that the name Wernher von Braun was eventually identified and the sister asked, “Who is that?” Whether the sister was playing along with the game or had no knowledge of this internationally known scientist is unclear.
The friendship developed by this duo is certainly unique. They came from two different countries and cultures, developed their own personal aspirations, experienced contrasting events during World War II, and pursued divergent post-War careers. But eventually they met through their common avocation of soaring in the heavens above, and developed a friendship which surely neither ever dreamed possible.
Jack Wagner lived in the Wiley Ford area until his death in 1990, and was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, a son and a daughter. Wernher von Braun was the Director of NASA from July 1969 until February 1970, when he left the government agency. During his tenure as Vice President at Fairchild Industries he developed kidney cancer. On June 16, 1977 he died of pancreatic cancer in Alexandria, VA at age 65. He was survived by his wife, Maria, and three children, Iris, Peter, and Margrit.
Wings Over Cumberland 