PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Shreveport, Louisiana
Date of birth: 07/18/1946

MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: 436727861
MOS: 1204 Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Length Service: Not recorded
Unit: I TROOP, 3RD SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, USARV

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 03/15/1970
Casualty Date: 11/22/1970
Age at Loss: 24
Location: Binh Duong, South Vietnam

ON THE WALL: Panel 06W Line 078

www.11thcavnam.com

FATHER: WESLEY E WHELESS JR
MOTHER: FRANCES (TERRELL) WHELESS

In 1993, Douglas Terrell Wheiess's Class commemorated 25 years since graduation with a meeting at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. DC and a reunion in New York City and at West Point. During those gatherings, his classmates-none of whom can deny that they are showing signs of age-paid particular tribute to classmates who had not changed in their hearts or minds' eye. Doug was taken from us 24 years ago during hostilities in a place some thought we shouldn't be. But Doug. like the others who gave and followed orders and whose names appear on slabs of black granite, was too smart, too good and too unique to have been someplace he shouldn't.

Doug was born in Shreveport. Louisiana on 18 July 1946. the son of Wesley Eakin and Frances Fuqua Terrell Wheless, Jr. From early in his all-too-short life, Doug prepared himself to contribute and serve. He was an acolyte and a member of the youth choir in his local Episcopal Church. He became an Eagle Scout and earned the Order of the Arrow. He also received the God and Country Award. Doug was encouraged to pursue a military career as a member of the Long Gray Line-a fulfillment of destiny. After all, his great-great- great-grandfather and a cousin had graduated from West Point, and his father had attended West Point. At C.E. Byrd High School, he was the JROTC Drill Team commander--a cadet colonel at. an early age! By high school graduation, he had scored over 1400 on his Scholastic Aptitude Tests and added National Honor Society membership and National Merit Scholarship to his list of accomplishments and honors.

At West Point, he continued to work toward becoming a consummate leader in the profession of arms. He discovered early that he could handle the rigors of academics, so he joined the Karate Club and became a member of the Scoutmasters Council as a plebe. During this time, in the remoteness of the Lost Fifties, he was one of the last members of the line to be nurtured by the tradition of "Kappa Dos." As a yearling, he continued to expand his spiritual, intellectual and professional education by becoming a Sunday school teacher and an active participant in the Math Forum and Russian and Military Affairs clubs. His companvmates respected him early on as one who could be counted on to do more than his share. He further contributed as a cow by becoming a SCUSA delegate. By Firstie year, he was president of the Karate Club and Class history editor for our Howitzer.

While the Corps expanded and company names and mottos changed. Doug contributed to the establishment of new and proud traditions by helping to win two Supe's Awards and three Banker's Trophies. In return, he accepted the company "out-front" parking lot and used the back door to the Weapons Room. He learned and taught well. His greatest concerns were for his family, friends, classmates, companymates and teammates. His professional acumen and loyalties would serve his soldiers well in the not-too-distant and all -too-unforgiving future.

He graduated high enough to be commissioned Armor and hone his profession in the shadow of other warriors by obtaining a slot with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. Prior to arriving in Germany, he attended the Armor basic course and successfully completed Airborne and Ranger training. As a platoon leader, maintenance officer and tank company executive officer in the 3rd Armored Division. he contributed as he learned. He departed the division with the admiration of its officers and men and an Army Commendation Medal.

In March of 1970, Doug answered the call to win his spurs in combat with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the central highlands of the Republic of Vietnam. He was a platoon leader for three months prior to moving to the 3rd Squadron staff for a breather, and moving on to command I Troop. During that time he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and another ARCOM: earned a Combat Infantry Badge; and celebrated his 24th birthday. But all the preparation, all the awards, and all of his intellect and maturity could not save him from his destiny. In mid-November, his troop came up against a mined and booby-trapped area of operations. A booby trap he was trying to disarm went off and sent him into a deep and irreversible coma. He died of wounds on 22 November 1970.

Doug's death impacted all of us. It crushed his parents and shocked and embittered friends and acquaintances. He served--as he was dedicated to do. Twenty-three years after his death, a Kappa Dos roommate's voice cracks when he mentions Doug's name; a member of his old Episcopal Church Choir admonishes her friends to emulate his character: his brothers, Wesley E. Wheless III of Irving, Texas and Stephen Fuqua Wheless of Austin. Texas, remember his achievements; and we are better for knowing him. Doug, you matter.

Source: West Point Association of Graduates Nov/Dec 1994 Assembly

Contributor: Dale Hansen (47635551) • [email protected]

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Shreveport, Louisiana
Date of birth: 07/18/1946

MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: 436727861
MOS: 1204 Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Length Service: Not recorded
Unit: I TROOP, 3RD SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, USARV

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 03/15/1970
Casualty Date: 11/22/1970
Age at Loss: 24
Location: Binh Duong, South Vietnam

ON THE WALL: Panel 06W Line 078

www.11thcavnam.com

FATHER: WESLEY E WHELESS JR
MOTHER: FRANCES (TERRELL) WHELESS

In 1993, Douglas Terrell Wheiess's Class commemorated 25 years since graduation with a meeting at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. DC and a reunion in New York City and at West Point. During those gatherings, his classmates-none of whom can deny that they are showing signs of age-paid particular tribute to classmates who had not changed in their hearts or minds' eye. Doug was taken from us 24 years ago during hostilities in a place some thought we shouldn't be. But Doug. like the others who gave and followed orders and whose names appear on slabs of black granite, was too smart, too good and too unique to have been someplace he shouldn't.

Doug was born in Shreveport. Louisiana on 18 July 1946. the son of Wesley Eakin and Frances Fuqua Terrell Wheless, Jr. From early in his all-too-short life, Doug prepared himself to contribute and serve. He was an acolyte and a member of the youth choir in his local Episcopal Church. He became an Eagle Scout and earned the Order of the Arrow. He also received the God and Country Award. Doug was encouraged to pursue a military career as a member of the Long Gray Line-a fulfillment of destiny. After all, his great-great- great-grandfather and a cousin had graduated from West Point, and his father had attended West Point. At C.E. Byrd High School, he was the JROTC Drill Team commander--a cadet colonel at. an early age! By high school graduation, he had scored over 1400 on his Scholastic Aptitude Tests and added National Honor Society membership and National Merit Scholarship to his list of accomplishments and honors.

At West Point, he continued to work toward becoming a consummate leader in the profession of arms. He discovered early that he could handle the rigors of academics, so he joined the Karate Club and became a member of the Scoutmasters Council as a plebe. During this time, in the remoteness of the Lost Fifties, he was one of the last members of the line to be nurtured by the tradition of "Kappa Dos." As a yearling, he continued to expand his spiritual, intellectual and professional education by becoming a Sunday school teacher and an active participant in the Math Forum and Russian and Military Affairs clubs. His companvmates respected him early on as one who could be counted on to do more than his share. He further contributed as a cow by becoming a SCUSA delegate. By Firstie year, he was president of the Karate Club and Class history editor for our Howitzer.

While the Corps expanded and company names and mottos changed. Doug contributed to the establishment of new and proud traditions by helping to win two Supe's Awards and three Banker's Trophies. In return, he accepted the company "out-front" parking lot and used the back door to the Weapons Room. He learned and taught well. His greatest concerns were for his family, friends, classmates, companymates and teammates. His professional acumen and loyalties would serve his soldiers well in the not-too-distant and all -too-unforgiving future.

He graduated high enough to be commissioned Armor and hone his profession in the shadow of other warriors by obtaining a slot with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. Prior to arriving in Germany, he attended the Armor basic course and successfully completed Airborne and Ranger training. As a platoon leader, maintenance officer and tank company executive officer in the 3rd Armored Division. he contributed as he learned. He departed the division with the admiration of its officers and men and an Army Commendation Medal.

In March of 1970, Doug answered the call to win his spurs in combat with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the central highlands of the Republic of Vietnam. He was a platoon leader for three months prior to moving to the 3rd Squadron staff for a breather, and moving on to command I Troop. During that time he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and another ARCOM: earned a Combat Infantry Badge; and celebrated his 24th birthday. But all the preparation, all the awards, and all of his intellect and maturity could not save him from his destiny. In mid-November, his troop came up against a mined and booby-trapped area of operations. A booby trap he was trying to disarm went off and sent him into a deep and irreversible coma. He died of wounds on 22 November 1970.

Doug's death impacted all of us. It crushed his parents and shocked and embittered friends and acquaintances. He served--as he was dedicated to do. Twenty-three years after his death, a Kappa Dos roommate's voice cracks when he mentions Doug's name; a member of his old Episcopal Church Choir admonishes her friends to emulate his character: his brothers, Wesley E. Wheless III of Irving, Texas and Stephen Fuqua Wheless of Austin. Texas, remember his achievements; and we are better for knowing him. Doug, you matter.

Source: West Point Association of Graduates Nov/Dec 1994 Assembly

Contributor: Dale Hansen (47635551) • [email protected]