MSG Joshua Wheeler KIA

[LRRPF52]

If you haven't heard, we lost a good man this week in a hostage rescue mission in Northern Iraq. His name was Joshua Wheeler, and had spent over 20 years in the service.



Wheeler and I were on the same Recon Team in the 25th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, in 1-24 Infantry Scouts back in 1997. He was a Ranger qualified SP4 at the time, and really wanted to be in Ranger Battalion, which he eventually was able to fulfill, serving in several leadership positions on multiple deployments before going to selection.

His personality was always positive, very outgoing, so willing to do anything for his friends and the unit. I'm not just saying that because he passed on. He was a very genuine guy, had a warm smile, got along with everyone.

I have actually thought of him often during times in my life when faced with certain situations. He never spoke ill of anyone behind their back.

He had 11 Bronze Stars, 4 with "V" devices for Valor. He left behind a wife and 4 kids. His DA Photo looks almost nothing like the kid I knew, but that's typical of a 20+ year career in Infantry, Ranger, and Special Operations units.

He was a good dude and will be missed.

He gave his life that others might live....

[KentuckyBuddha]

Condolences. If you are close enough to the survivors, lobby them to accept all the help they can from the CAO. They can and should help smooth a lot of problems out in this horrible time.

[LRRPF52]

Condolences. If you are close enough to the survivors, lobby them to accept all the help they can from the CAO. They can and should help smooth a lot of problems out in this horrible time.

Because of the unit he was in, his family will be well taken care of.

[montana]

I saw this on the news today showing the rescue of the people he helped free from ISIS captivity and certain death. I wondered about his family and the grief they will now have to endure. The sacrifice these men and families give to this nation and others is extreme which most will never understand. Thank you LRRPF52 for the information of your friend who gave it all in the service of his country and others . My prayers and condolences to his family and friends.

[wheelguner]

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Thomas Jefferson

It saddens me that too often it is the patriot that is sacrificed. Having known so many that paid this price I, as a survivor, honor them by insuring, as you have done, that they will never be forgotten. Semper Fi! All gave some, some gave all.

[RangerRick]

"Rangers Lead the Way" is the motto of the Rangers. Master Sergeant Wheeler was the epitome of that spirit. RIP Sergeant. I hope your family can find some solace in the fact that your actions saved a lot of lives.

His kids will have to grow up without their dad, but they can take pride in knowing that he was a genuine hero.


Ranger Rick

[Lightning8]

"Rangers Lead the Way!"

[LRRPF52]

If you take that HS yearbook photo of him, and slap on a high and tight for the hair, that's how I remember him, but with more muscle mass. He was a hard-charger, and any time he was called on by one of the NCO's, he would energetically respond with,

"Rah Saaarnt!!!"

(That's country for, "Roger, Sergeant.")

We spent weeks busting brush in the forest at Fort Lewis wreaking havoc on units within I Corps on one particular FTX. He, myself, an RTO, and another guy who had come from 2/75 were tasked with harassing targets of opportunity that we would come across, with very little guidance other than to give them hell, then break contact, and continue mission. This went on for a long time, and we would periodically request exfil and get picked up by the Platoon Sergeant and go to our hooch area and refit, then go back out and do it some more.

We got attacked by a wasp or hornet nest in some really thick scrub oak that was next to impossible to negotiate, escaped and evaded MP's who were mounted, and assaulted a Brigade TOC stuffed full of pogues. It was so long ago, I really thought he would have been out of the Army by now. I never figured he was going to make it a career.

He was part Cherokee, came from a screwed up home, but somehow, he found a way in life to always be positive, look on the bright side of things, and just smile big with that drawl he had. It felt like being around a high school cut-up, but he never got in trouble that I recall.

[bwaites]

RIP, Heroes never die!

[Hoser1]

LRRPF52, sorry for the loss of a good friend, the country as a whole as lost a true hero, sounds like a warrior that always thought of the man to the left and to right of him, instead of himself!

Fair winds and following seas…….

[Buck2732]

LRRPF52,

The Halls of Valhalla

"And Lo, do I see my father
And Lo, do I see my mother
And my sisters and my brothers
And the line of my people,

Back to the beginning...
And Lo, they do call me,
In the halls of Valhalla
Where the brave may live forever!"

Many brave warriors
chanted such a prayer
before battles that raged
In times untold.
Their stories are gone
lost in histories depths,
to never be heard again
except as tales from the old.
But try as you may
to find such valour now,
It just doesn't exist
in the world today.
Heroes are myth,
brought from out of a book.
When someone fights against evil
they get nary a second look.
So just remember a time,
lost in the mist.
And remember to treat
All brave men today,
as the heroes they are.

I am sure when you get to Valhalla MSG Joshua Wheeler will have a seat at the table waiting for you.

RIP