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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly WI '64
Percy Louis Wheeler No.15706 Class of 1946
Died 13 April 1963 In OrIeans, France, aged 43 years. Interment:
West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York. |
Percy Louis Wheeler was born in Steens, Mississippi, 15 June1919.
One of ten children in his family, he was raised on a farm near
Steens. In retrospect, it is apparent that there, at an early
age, was molded a true gentleman and a man determined and dedicated
to serve his country. Percy developed a childhood ambition to
graduate from West Point and in 1939 entered the Academy from
the Regular Army. At the end of his first year he suffered a
disappointing but not insurmountable setback at the hands of
the Mathematics Department. Percy's perseverance and determination
carried him through Dr. Silverman's Prep and two years at Mississippi
State College and finally won him an appointment to the Military
Academy. In August 1943 he joined the Class of 1946, graduated,
and was commissioned in the Infantry. After branch school Percy
served with the 10th Constabulary Squadron in Germany and subsequently
the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment, finally commanding Company
C until the end of his tour. It was during this period that he
transferred from Infantry to Armor.
Of much greater significance personally
was his acquaintance with and subsequent marriage to Erika Becker
at Fort Knox, Kentucky on 3 November 1951. Percy and Ricky were
blessed with Carol Ann on 14 December 1953 at Fort Knox and Susan
Michele on 16 March 1958 in Paris, France. No account of Percy's
life would be complete or accurate without mention of his devotion
to his family.
Upon his return from Germany, Percy
attended the Advanced Armor Course at Fort Knox and remained
there serving on the staff and faculty until 1954. This was followed
by a tour in Korea, commanding the Tank Company of the 31st Regiment.
He returned to spend a year with the 19th Armored Group at Fort
Stewart, Georgia. In 1957 Percy was selected as a French instructor
at the Military Academy and after a year's preparation at the
University of Paris he returned to West Point for a tour that
lasted until 1961. It was during this tour that danger signaled.
Percy suffered a severe heart attack and only determination carried
him through. Ostensibly he recovered, and resisting all efforts
to retire him, he returned to full duty. Completing his tour
at West Point he was reassigned to the 3d Logistical Command
at Orleans, France. While danger signals continued to occur,
he pursued his duties faithfully and uncomplainingly. His last
months were made even more difficult by the loss of both his
mother and his father. On 13 April 1963 Percy succumbed to another
severe coronary attack.
According to his express desires, and in the presence
of his family, his classmates of '46, his ex-classmates
of January '43, his relatives and friends, Percy was laid to
rest in the West Point Cemetery 24 April 1963.
Subsequently the Department of the Army
formally announced Percy's posthumous pro-motion to the grade
of lieutenant colonel
May it now be said of Percy Wheeler:
"Well done. Be thou at peace."
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