Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler was a hero and a career soldier. The Roland native was killed Oct. 22 in Iraq. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Gov. Mary Fallin, at the request of State Rep. John Bennett (R-Sallisaw), has ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff for Sgt. Wheeler’s memorial service.
The U.S. Army reports his body is to be returned to the United States on Saturday. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said he will be there when Sgt. Wheeler returns.
Carter told the media how Sgt. Wheeler’s death occurred when Iraqi troops fought Islamic militants in Iraq’s Kirkuk province, where it was reported 70 hostages were to be executed. The Department of Defense reported the hostages were saved.
Carter said, “As the compound was being stormed, the plan was not for the U.S. ... forces to enter the compound or be involved in the firefight. However, when a firefight ensued, this American did what I'm very proud that Americans do in that situation, and he ran to the sound of the guns and he stood up. All the indications are that it was his actions and that of one of his teammates that protected those who were involved in breaching the compound and made the mission a success.
“It wasn't part of the plan, but it was something that he did. And I'm immensely proud that he did that,” Carter said.
U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Ok) offered condolences and prayers to Sgt. Wheeler’s family after hearing of his passing. He said, “Master Sgt. Wheeler served our country courageously and selflessly. He put the safety of all of us before his own during his time in Iraq. Christie and I offer our deepest condolences and pray for comfort for the Wheeler family during this difficult time. Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety and our freedom. May God hold them in his loving hands and safeguard them as they protect us.”
The U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office at Fort Bragg, N.C., where Sgt. Wheeler was stationed, provided the following biographical information about the soldier:
Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, 39, assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., was killed in action Oct. 22, while deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Wheeler died from enemy gunfire while in combat near Hawijah, Iraq. He was born Nov. 22, 1975, in Roland, and graduated in 1994 from Muldrow High School in Muldrow.
Wheeler entered the U.S. Army as an infantryman in May 1995, completing his initial entry training at Fort Benning, Ga. His first assignment was with Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash. In February 1997, he transitioned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash., where he served for over seven years as an infantryman, rifle team leader, squad leader, weapons squad leader, and anti-tank section leader, deploying three times in support of combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Wheeler was assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command in 2004, and deployed 11 times in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Wheeler’s military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger School, Warrior Leader Course, Static Line Jumpmaster, Military Mountaineering Course, Basic and Advanced Demolition Courses, Advanced Urban Combat Training, Advanced Marksmanship Techniques, Close Range Tactical M4 Training, Infantry Advanced Leader’s Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (Level C) Course, Infantry Senior Leader’s, Military Free Fall Course, and the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course.
Sgt. Wheeler’s awards and decorations include four Bronze Star Medals with Valor Device, seven Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor Device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, seven Army Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, As of 21 Oct., 2015 eight Army Achievement Medals, the Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with 6 Bronze Service Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), the Army Service Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award (2nd Award), the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and three Overseas Service Bars.
He is survived by his wife, and four sons.
Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director
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