The first American to die in Iraq against ISIS, is a reminder of those who have sacrificed in two wars that never really ended.
Fourteen combat deployments.
Eleven bronze stars, four with a V for valor.
Seventy hostages rescued in the final mission
One flag covered coffin, to be met by one new widow
Four sons now without a father, one a new baby.
One posthumous Purple Heart.
So begins the the story of Joshua Wheeler told on the Daily Beast by Michael Daly.
I did not know it is possible to have that many bronze stars. I do not understand how a man can be so thoroughly honored and not promoted to commissioned officer. The ranking system and disparity between honors is baffling.
I'm amazed with the people this country produces.
[link corrected]
16 comments:
You got a bad link there Chip: it goes to Lois Loser.
Here's a better one:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/master-sergeant-joshua-wheeler-idd-commando-killed-isis-hostage-rescue-n449876
Apologies. Been bad about that. Thanks.
What astounds me is this is the Daily Beast that ends up taking a well-deserved and long overdue shot at His Poutiness, although they do make one nod to the Lefty canon.
two wars that never really ended.
Wrong.
One war, several campaigns.
RIP
The pro-democrat hack Democrat Industrial complex media will ignore. Too busy sniffing Hillary's a$$.
Thank you Chip for posting.
The Twitter tributes aren't nearly enough.
I need to add here that career NCO's, especially those in Special Operations, often do not want to be promoted to officer ranks...they prefer that status of the NCO where you more often get to be where the rubber meets the road. An exception might be Col "Nick" Rowe, but he was an officer before his exploits in the field. Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler served with distinction and we should honor his role as the ultimate NCO.
When in uniform as a NCO I was "offered" OCS multiple times, but each time it seemed like a step backwards...since you graduate as a "butter bar" 2nd Lieutenant. Maybe if you could take a direct commission as a Capitan or Lt Colonel it would be different. Any E8 special operations infantry NCO should be no less than a Lt Colonel if promoted, even ad hoc. Doesn't work that way so it is what it is...RIP MSG Wheeler. You did your best and none of us can say less than that.
Let me add: if anyone has better information that what I've just said, please state it with some evidence if possible. I've been told by some I've worked with that I have a "permanent NCO mentality," and that's likely a correct appraisal. I am not offended a bit.
The day I was awarded those first 3 chevrons was a great day, for me, and from there I felt fulfilled. IMO, if I am honest, I didn't "earn" them...I got them due to the rapid attrition of other NCO's in those ugly days ... said simply because I attained them at 13 months in service....which even back then was way early...let alone without the usual "shake & bake" training. I asked why? Among so many others? And my commander asked back; "who else can do what you do, right here and right now [?]...just shut up and live up to the rank as an NCO" [paraphrased]....that he expected nothing less from me. I hope that I did so.
He died honorably coming to the aid of others.
Yes Ari, I would say that's an accurate assessment of you.
I think Fox News said Wheeler was a staff sergeant...E-6. I would guess due to the comparatively low numbers of special ops guys, E-6 is an admirable achievement.
NCOs much hotter than officers.
And Urkel and company shit on this man's accomplishments and legacy. Fuck them into hell.
Deborah ... if Fox News said he was a Staff Sergeant E-6 they were quite wrong. A recent photo of him clearly shows the chevrons of a Master Sergeant E-8.
My assessment of my career in uniform is that although I was an NCO, I was no where near the solider MSG Wheeler was and will be remembered as by everyone in Special Forces. I just did what I could ... MSG Wheeler went considerably beyond that....and he had far more experience that I did.
His death was news to many because I suspect we don't think of "advisors" as having a combat role and politicians hype the advisory roles in that fashion. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. You may not seek a direct combat role, but those things have a funny way of finding you never-the-less if you are doing your job.
Profuse apologies, Ari, I was going from memory. Very lax of me.
Deborah ... no apologies necessary. I merely wanted to contradict Fox News if they said that about MSG Wheeler. Many people who've not served don't know the rank insignias in detail .... heck I still get confused by the US Navy insignias. Have to look them up on Wiki from time to time. The classic Navy distinction is that of "Captain"...in the Navy it is the rank of 0-6 (same as Colonel) while the same term means the rank of 0-3 "Captain" in the Army.
No, I'm sure they said master sergeant. As I said, I was very lax.
Deborah ... lax? Naw, only a pedant like me would have even noticed. :-)
How about clueless..it's in the post title wow omg lol
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