Donald L. Wheeler
Specialist, United States Army
July 15, 1981 – October 13, 2003
Age – 22
Concord, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
A Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX
Died when his unit came under attack from a rocket-propelled grenade while searching for an improvised explosive device in Tikrit, Iraq
SPC Donald Laverne Wheeler was affectionately known as “DJ” to his family, which included three sisters and eight brothers. In the military, he picked up the nickname “Sunshine.” “They called him Sunshine at Fort Hood in Texas because he was so tall he stood out from everyone else and he was always smiling,” said one of his sisters. His mother, Mary Cay Wheeler, said he decided to enlist after the Sept. 11 attacks.
He graduated from Jackson Lumen Christi High School in 1999 and was an offensive lineman on the Titans football team that made the regional finals.
He loved the Army but at the same time he missed his family, she said. They had a photo of Wheeler blown up to near life size and brought it to his sister’s wedding reception because he couldn’t attend. “I shall always remember him, a big kid who gave everything he had on that dusty day,” said Lt. Jason Price at a memorial service in Tikrit. “It’s difficult to say goodbye.”
Donald Laverne Wheeler Jr. named after an uncle who was killed in the Korean War, was a 22-year-old Army specialist in the 4th Infantry Division.
“When 9-11 happened he came to … us and said, ‘I need to be fighting this evil,’ and he joined the Army,” said his mother. “He went over from Fort Hood, and he said, ‘The only thing I need is my rosary and prayer book that my grandpa gave me and I will be OK.’ We think of him as a hero. We support our troops and what President Bush is doing. There isn’t the slightest doubt that we are doing the right thing.” Wheeler’s mother said she had a premonition that something had happened to her son.
He was remembered by fellow soldiers with the following words.
To the family of Spc Wheeler. I had the honor of serving with DJ in Charlie Company 1-22 IN. going into the 8th year that he was KIA it feels like yesterday that I got the news and tears still and always will come down ! DJ was a great friend and always smiling. I remember right before we left and all u guys came down to visit we joked with him saying.. Dam u filled up the barracks !! LoL ! He was a great friend, solider and will always be remembered and loved !!”
Jose Barbosa of New York City
“I have the Honor to serve with PFC Dominick Wheeler, younger brother of SPC Donald Wheeler. I never meet SPC Wheeler, but through his brother I understand how great of a person this young man was. The Wheeler family is an extraordinary family that has given much to our country and continues to do so through continue services in the military. God Bless the Wheeler Family for their sacrifice and service to all.”
SSG William Rodriguez of Phenix City, AL
“To the family of D.J. Wheeler,… I served with your son and had the Privilege of serving in his presence. There was humbleness to him that I will always remember. He truly has left his mark here on this earth through the soldiers of “Dirty Deuce”, Charlie Company 1-22INF, 4ID. Some of us that served with your son still serve, some have moved on, and others have shared the same fate as your son. Please know that in your mourning, you are not alone. 25 June 2009….and still think of him daily”
SSG Rodrigo Vargas of FT. Hood, TX
“To a great man, we will miss you man, I think day in day out about you. I will never forget the day SSG Minzer called home to me to tell me we lost you, as I sit here and write this I cry we will miss you man, I think about mom all the time and how she is doing, but I sit back and know she’s a strong lady, she stood so big at your thing we had for you at ft hood and I wish I could of been so strong, SSG Minzer talks about you all the time and the things you 2 got in to over there, just know in this home you will never ever be forgotten, we love u and miss ya. Jennie Minzer”
Jennie & SSG Minzer of Ft Hood, TX