Private Herbert Henry Wheeler

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Monday, March 27, 1944
Page 1

Pvt. Wheeler, Brownstown, Killed in War

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wheeler Dies In Fifth Army Action Near Rome March 1

Pvt. Herbert Henry Wheeler, age thirty-three, of Brownstown, was killed in action on March 1 in the Italian campaign, a message from the war department to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wheeler, of Brownstwon, stated Sunday.

Pvt. Wheeler, who was serving with the U.S. Army Engineers in the Fifth Armhy, was a veteran of much heavy fighting and a letter written to his mother on February 23, the day before he was killed, indicated he was optimistic. In that message, he told her he thought they would be in Rome soon.

Overseas More Than Year.

He had been overseas since January 13, 1943 and fought in the North African Campaign before engaging in the Italian fighting.

Pvt. Wheeler, one of a family of twelve children, was born in December, 1910, in Medora, but had spent much of his life in Washington county, where his parents moved when he was a child. He aided his father in the operation of his sawmill before he entered the service.

A brother, Paul Wheeler, living in Washington county on a Vallonia rural route, reports next week for duty with the U.S. Army. A sister, Lucy Wheeler, preceded him in death. Besides the parents and the brother reporting next week, he is survived by the following bfrothers and sisters: Clifford Wheeler, who is employed at Freeman Field here; Bob Wheeler, of Brownstown; Mrs. Eva Ray and Daniel Wheeler, both of Vallonia; Mrs. Alfretta Brewer, and Mrs. Omega Jackson, both of Brownstown, Ruth Wheeler, Betty Wheeler and Jimmy Wheeler, all at home.