UNLV to honor woman killed in attack on Pentagon

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 8:34 a.m.

Classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas continued as scheduled after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. The prevailing wisdom at the university and at many institutions nationwide was that any disruption of American life, beyond the mushrooming loss of life and property in New York and Washington, would give the enemy a bigger victory than deserved.

That evening, however, members of the campus ministry and students gathered in the Pida Plaza near the Moyer Student Union for a candlelight prayer vigil for the victims of the terrorist attack.

Unknown to most, if not all, they prayed for one of their own. That morning Karen J. Wagner, UNLV class of 1982, a business administration major and UNLV Army ROTC cadet, gave her all for her country. Wagner died in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

A fourth-generation soldier, Wagner was promoted to lieutenant colonel just one month before her death. She was the deputy chief of staff for medical personnel with the Army surgeon general's office at the Pentagon.

Wagner was laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. She was posthumously given the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart and the Order of Military Medical Merit. Her alma mater will recognize her in the September issue of UNLV Magazine due out later this month.

Classmates interested in receiving a copy of the magazine article can call UNLV News and Publications at 895-2626.

Army Commendation Medal

Army Staff Sgt. Randy Hall, Bonanza High School class of 1985, has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal.

The medal is awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

Hall, the son of Aloma Hall of Las Vegas, is a multiple launch rocket system section chief for the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Okla.

In brief

Vargas, daughter of Maria Vargas of Las Vegas, learned basic food preparation, management and food services, menu planning, baking, kitchen health and sanitation.

McKinney is a chemical operations supervisor assigned to the 95th Chemical Co. at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Ellis, the son of Maria Robello of Las Vegas, learned a wide range of medical procedures to provide first aid and assist Navy doctors and nurses.