Crane CycleFest

Guest of Honor
Duane Wagner

Duane Wagner was born and raised in Arizona. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1966 as an infantryman and subsequently deployed to Vietnam. Duane served as a member of a Combat Action Company to provide villagers with security and medical care in Vietnam’s Quang Tri Province.

In the early morning hours of 15 May 1967, Duane’s company was attacked by enemy mortar and small arms fire. Close combat quickly ensued and Duane was hit by an enemy hand grenade that blew off both of his legs below the knee. Though severely wounded, Duane dragged himself and another injured Marine to safety. For his actions, Duane was awarded the Silver Star.


Duane Wagner, U.S.M.C.

Upon returning to the U.S., Duane was told by doctors that he would never walk again. However, Duane defied the doctors by walking without the aid of a cane or crutches the first day he received his prosthetic legs. He then began riding a bike every day and soon became an elite long-distance cyclist. In 2008, Duane became a member of CAF Operation Rebound and now serves as a mentor to many newly injured veterans, supporting their efforts to become active again after experiencing a traumatic injury. Duane does not consider himself disabled. “It’s just an inconvenience”, says Duane. Many injured veterans think they are limited in what they can do, but Wagner is determined that he can do anything.

“I’m a double leg amputee. If I can do it, so can you!” he tells other veterans. “Don’t let people tell you what your limitations are, because you have none. Your limitations are all what you set and nothing more.”

Duane continues to demonstrate that losing his legs won’t slow him down as he annually rides his bike in excess of 12,000 miles.