Joshua Wheeler
Joshua Wheeler | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 22, 1975 Roland, Oklahoma, United States |
| Died | October 22, 2015 (aged 39) Kirkuk Province, Iraq |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1995–2015 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Unit | Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment B Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Delta Force |
| Conflicts | War in Afghanistan Iraq War Operation Inherent Resolve † |
| Awards | Silver Star Bronze Star (11) Purple Heart |
Joshua Lloyd Wheeler (November 22, 1975 – October 22, 2015) was a United States Army soldier who was killed in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve. He was a master sergeant assigned to the elite Delta Force, and was the first American service member killed in action as a result of enemy fire while fighting ISIS militants. He was also the first American to be killed in action in Iraq since November 2011.
Wheeler was a highly decorated service member, having earned 11 Bronze Star Medals including four with Valor Devices. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Medal of Patriotism.