Member of 305th AMW legacy passes away

by Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

8/8/2013 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- David A. Nagel's long and storied relationship with the 305th started in June 1944 during World War II when he was assigned to the 305th Bomb Group stationed at Chelveston, England. He was the only surviving link to a time when the 305th's main cargo was bombs and the souls brave enough to drop them.

Nagel, a piece of 305th Air Mobility wing heritage, died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 91 July 30, 2013.

Nagel was a B-17 Flying Fortress top turret gunner flying a total of 35 bombing missions with the 422nd Squadron over Nazi-occupied territory. His exploits from each mission were recorded in a diary. The following is an excerpt from his 35th and final mission:

"January 7, 1945 -- My last one! We took a lot of flak; had to feather No. 2 engine ... oil tank hit on No.3 engine. We came home alone ... my roughest mission. Finished six months to the day. Leaving the 422nd January 11, 1945."

Nagel, with his active duty days long behind him, became an honorary commander to the 305th AMW. He made it a point of pride to introduce himself to every 305th AMW commander he could meet.

"As the living link from World War II to today's 'CAN DO,' he made sure the combat legacy heritage was preserved by engaging continuously with today's Airmen," said Col. Paul Murphy, former 305th AMW commander. "In fact, it was an honored rite of passage. Up to CAN DO's current commander, Col. Rick Williamson, every new 305th Wing commander in succession, was met by Mr. Nagel with a warm greeting, a long discussion on heritage of the unit, signed history book on the original 305th CAN DO Bomb Group, wartime artifacts from B-17s and the wartime base at Chelveston, and other threads from the unit that tie our long blue line of Airman together through the last 70 years. He shall be missed but never forgotten by us."

Many past 305th commanders from the past 10 years sent their condolences when they heard of Nagel's passing, which illustrates the impact he had on 'Can Do' leadership throughout the years.

"What a long, wonderful life he had," said Brig. Gen. Scott Smith, former 305th AMW commander. "I feel privileged to have known him."

The former commanders looked to Nagel as a window to the past, and in his passing will remember him as a true friend to the 305th AMW.

"We knew this day would come, but selfishly, I really wanted to see him in September upon our return to McGuire," said Maj. Gen. Rick Martin, former 305th AMW commander. "David Nagel and I enjoyed a very special relationship. He represented the wonderful history of the 305th AMW and was always proud to share its grand history with current generation of Airmen. I say this with much esteem and great sorrow on the loss of a "Great One" from the "Can Do" Wing!"

A memorial service was held July 31, 2013, in Clifton, N.J., to honor the storied member of the 'Can Do' wing.