Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Lester
Lewes
Wheeler
1910-11-26

–

1999-05-05

Born:

Baltimore

, 

Maryland

Home:

Baltimore

, 

Maryland

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Lester Wheeler graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1935. He retired in 1965 as a U.S. Army Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    34th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 171 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Lester Lewes Wheeler (ASN: 0-19951), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on the Philippine Islands, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Wheeler, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5th Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1953 – 1954
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Lester Lewes Wheeler (ASN: 0-19951), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, and later with the G-3 Section, EIGHTH Army, in Korea, from 1953 to 1954. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Wheeler and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5th Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Korean War
    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 271 (1953)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Lester Lewes Wheeler (ASN: 0-19951), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 5th Regimental Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea, in 1953. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Wheeler, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    July 1960 – July 1965
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 29 (August 27, 1965)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Lester Lewes Wheeler (ASN: 0-19951), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Alaska; and later as Chief of Staff, THIRD Army, during the period from July 1960 to July 1965. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Wheeler and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    34th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 9, 1942 – December 16, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 334 (November 19, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Lester Lewes Wheeler (ASN: 0-19951), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations from 9 July 1942 to 22 March 1944; from 16 June to 19 October 1944; and from 17 November to 16 December 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Wheeler and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.