Roy Mitchell Wheat

The database page for Roy Mitchell Wheat

04 Feb 2003 Being a Marine Corp Vietnam Veteran and a fellow Mississippian, I consider it an honor to request that Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat's name be placed on the Virtural Wall site and the Height of Valor site. Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat, the only Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient from the State of Mississippi, was a true hero. "All gave some, some gave all." Lance Corporal Wheat gave all for his fellow Marines and his country. Our local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 842 is in the beginning stages of trying to create more appropriate recognition of his heroism in his hometown and at his grave site. Anyone interested in being part of this endeavor, please contact me. Thank you. Semper Fi. Jerry Thompson forttoir@intop.net

01 Dec 2006 Interstate 59 in Jones County, Mississippi in named in honor of this Marine. From Marvin Windham E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

16 Aug 2007 Roy represented the best of his school, community, state and nation. It was my privilege to have been his classmate. Bettie G. Lindley-Meek E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to Roy Mitchell Wheat Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and two other Marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. After the Marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 Marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow Marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a fellow Marine and Mississippian, Jerry Thompson forttoir@intop.net

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 4 Feb 2003
Last updated 03/22/2008