Written by Ben Cox – A Brown County man who laid down his life to save six men during the Vietnam War will honored this weekend at the Central Texas Veterans Memorial.
Kennith “Wayne” Wheeler grew up in Owens, and graduated from May High School in 1964. He then joined the Marines two years later.
Deploying to Vietnam after a short stint in Okinawa, Wheeler was only a few days shy of returning home when he volunteered for a mission a friend who had just returned from a mission and was exhausted.
That friend, Mike Calvert of Knoxville, Tennessee is the same person who paid for the plaque as a way to honor Cpl Wheeler. Calvert had planned to be at this weekend’s service but health issues stemming from exposure to Agent Orange are keeping him from attending.
That rescue mission proved to be his last, as the craft crashed short of their landing site due to enemy fire, causing an explosion near the fuel tanks. Wheeler helped a crew member from the front of the helicopter and then entered the rear of the craft to rescue six fellow Marines trapped inside.
A second explosion destroyed the helicopter, killing the six remaining Marines as well as Wheeler.
For his heroic act he was posthumously promoted from Corporal to Sergeant. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart among other citations.
Wheeler was honored in Abilene, where he enlisted, on July 4th, 1970 with former Cowboy Bob Lilly speaking to the crowd. Lilly was moved when Wheeler’s heroism was recalled.
Kennith “Wayne” Wheeler was a warm, friendly, and well liked soldier, as the countless letters received by his family can attest. He made people forget their troubles, lifted their burdens, and was a calm voice in a time and place that was anything but.
The dedication for Cpl Wheeler’s plaque will take place this Saturday at the Central Texas Veterans Memorial, starting at 11:00 a.m. and is open to the public. The May High School Class of 1964 will be represented by Nancy Tyler, will also be the key note speaker.
