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''This page is about the military historian Richard "Dick" Wheeler. For the Major League Baseall player named Dick Wheeler, see [[Dick Wheeler]].''

{{short description|American historian and writer}}
{{short description|American historian and writer}}
{{Other people||Richard Wheeler (disambiguation){{!}}Richard Wheeler}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name = Richard "Dick" Wheeler
| name = Richard "Dick" Wheeler
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| pseudonym =
| pseudonym =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1922|01|08}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1922|01|08}}
| birth_place = [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]
| birth_place = [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]. U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2008|10|21|1922|01|08}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2008|10|21|1922|01|08}}
| death_place = [[Nutting Hall]], [[Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Pine Grove, Pennsylvania]]
| death_place = [[Nutting Hall]], [[Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Pine Grove, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Historian|author}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Historian|author}}
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
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}}
}}
'''Richard "Dick" Wheeler''' was an American military historian who authored seventeen books and served as a military consultant for multiple film and television projects. A member of the [[United States Marine Corp]]'s Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division) during [[World War II]], he was seriously wounded during the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]].<ref>"[https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/schuylkill/obituary.aspx?n=richard-wheeler-dick&pid=119431703 Richard 'Dick' Wheeler]" (obituary). Pottsville, Pennsylvania: ''Republican & Herald'', October 27, 2008 (retrieved online via Legacy.com, August 24, 2019).</ref>
'''Richard "Dick" Wheeler''' (August 1, 1922 – October 21, 2008) was an American military historian who authored seventeen books and served as a military consultant for multiple film and television projects. A member of the [[United States Marine Corp]]'s Easy Company, (2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division) during [[World War II]], he was seriously wounded during the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]].<ref>"[https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/schuylkill/obituary.aspx?n=richard-wheeler-dick&pid=119431703 Richard 'Dick' Wheeler]" (obituary). Pottsville, Pennsylvania: ''Republican & Herald'', October 27, 2008 (retrieved online via Legacy.com, August 24, 2019).</ref>


Post-war, he penned an account of that battle, ''The Bloody Battle for Suribachi'',<ref>Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/1416031 The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1965. {{OCLC|1416031}}</ref> and became a military historian. Following his first book's release in 1965, he then published additional works, including ''Voices of the Civil War'' in 1976<ref>* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/voices-of-the-civil-war/oclc/1818393?referer=di&ht=edition Voices of the Civil War]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1976. {{OCLC|1818393}}</ref> and ''Iwo'', which was released in 1980.<ref>Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/60283569?referer=di&ht=edition The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1994. {{OCLC|60283569}}</ref><ref name="auto">"Richard 'Dick' Wheeler" (obituary), ''Pottsville Republican & Herald'', October 27, 2008.</ref> He received a 1973 [[Christopher Award]] for ''Voices of 1776'' and the Fletcher Pratt Award for ''Voices of the Civil War.''<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/isbn_9780810393417|title=Contemporary Authors|series= New Revision Series| volume= 50|editor-last=Dear|editor-first=Pamela S.|publisher=Gale Research|others=|year=1996|isbn=9780810393417|location=New York|pages=456-457}}</ref>
Post-war, he penned an account of that battle, ''The Bloody Battle for Suribachi'',<ref>Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/1416031 The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1965. {{OCLC|1416031}}</ref> and became a military historian. Following his first book's release in 1965, he then published additional works, including ''Voices of the Civil War'' in 1976<ref>Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/voices-of-the-civil-war/oclc/1818393?referer=di&ht=edition Voices of the Civil War]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1976. {{OCLC|1818393}}</ref> and ''Iwo'', which was released in 1980.<ref>Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/60283569?referer=di&ht=edition The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1994. {{OCLC|60283569}}</ref><ref name="auto">"Richard 'Dick' Wheeler" (obituary), ''Pottsville Republican & Herald'', October 27, 2008.</ref> He received a 1973 [[Christopher Award]] for ''Voices of 1776'' and the Fletcher Pratt Award for ''Voices of the Civil War.''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780810393417/page/456|title=Contemporary Authors|series=New Revision Series|volume=50|editor-last=Dear|editor-first=Pamela S.|publisher=Gale Research|year=1996|isbn=9780810393417|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780810393417/page/456 456-457]}}</ref>


==Formative years==
==Formative years==
Born on January 8, 1922 in the city of [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] in [[Berks County, Pennsylvania]], Wheeler was a son of Reading native Clarence E. Wheeler and Margaret (Wenrich) Wheeler, a native of [[Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]]. He and his sister, Marjery, subsequently spent their formative years in Laureldale, Pennsylvania after relocating there with their parents in 1926.<ref name="auto"/>
Born on January 8, 1922, in the city of [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] in [[Berks County, Pennsylvania]], Wheeler was a son of Reading native Clarence E. Wheeler and Margaret (Wenrich) Wheeler, a native of [[Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]]. He and his sister, Marjery, subsequently spent their formative years in [[Laureldale, Pennsylvania]] after relocating there with their parents in 1926.<ref name="auto"/>


Editor of the [[Muhlenberg School District|Muhlenberg Township High School]] newspaper during his senior year of school, he secured a job as a writer for the ''Reading Shopping Bulletin'' after graduating, and worked there until he enlisted in the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref name="auto"/>
Editor of the [[Muhlenberg School District|Muhlenberg Township High School]] newspaper during his senior year of school, he secured a job as a writer for the ''Reading Shopping Bulletin'' after graduating, and worked there until he enlisted in the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref name="auto"/>


==Military service==
==Military service==
Following the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|attack by Japanese military forces on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, Wheeler promptly enlisted for World War II military service. After enrolling with the United States Marine Corps, he was assigned to the corps' Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Seriously wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945,<ref>Haynes, Fred. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=oZAkGt3skwUC&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=%22Richard+Wheeler%22+and+%22Iwo+Jima%22&source=bl&ots=QacOTlgIa3&sig=ACfU3U08MV1QcbPXOSJbc0eaIyk1Q_ZUqg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjyhJCwjJ3kAhUDbq0KHTmyBcc4KBDoATAGegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=%22Richard%20Wheeler%22%20and%20%22Iwo%20Jima%22&f=false The Lions of Iwo Jima]'', p. 119. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008.</ref> he spent a significant period of time recuperating from his injuries before heading home after being honorably discharged.<ref name="auto"/>
Following the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|attack by Japanese military forces on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, Wheeler promptly enlisted for World War II military service. After enrolling with the United States Marine Corps, he was assigned to the corps' Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Seriously wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945 while serving with Easy Company as a private first class,<ref>Haynes, Fred. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=oZAkGt3skwUC&dq=%22Richard+Wheeler%22+and+%22Iwo+Jima%22&pg=PA99 The Lions of Iwo Jima]'', p. 119. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008.</ref> he spent a significant period of time recuperating from his injuries before heading home after being honorably discharged.<ref name="auto"/>

According to Major General Fred Haynes, in a later analysis of his combat experiences, Wheeler said:<ref>Haynes, ''The Lions of Iwo Jima'', p. 100.</ref>

<blockquote>"It's true that a combat team must be composed mainly of cautious men; wholesale heedlessness under fire would certainly bring the team to disaster. But there is also a need for an audacious minority. It's this minority that sets the pace for an attack. If everyone were to dig in deeply and move only when it was really necessary—which is all that duty requires—the team's effort would lack vigor. There must be a scattering of men who neglect their safety and act with a daring initiative. Most of the tough feats that win the medals are performed by men like this."</blockquote>


==Post-war life and publishing career==
==Post-war life and publishing career==
After returning home from his World War II service, Wheeler returned to his job with the Reading Shopping Bulletin. Over time, he also began to secure work as a freelance writer of poetry and prose for various national publications, including the ''[[Saturday Evening Post]]''.<ref name="auto"/>
After returning home from his World War II service, Wheeler returned to his job with the ''Reading Shopping Bulletin''. Over time, he also began to secure work as a freelance writer of poetry and prose for various national publications, including the ''[[Saturday Evening Post]]''.<ref name="auto"/>


In 1965, he published his first book, ''The Bloody Battle for Suribachi'', which he based on his diary entries and recollections of the Battle of Iwo Jima.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bloody Battle for Suribachi|last=Wheeler|first=Richard|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=1994|isbn=1-55750-923-9|location=Annapolis, MD|pages=|oclc=31970164|origyear=1965}}</ref> As additional print and audio books followed, he became an increasingly respected military history writer<ref>Moskin, J. Robert. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/entertainment/books/1983/12/18/to-the-sound-of-iwo-jima/7edf2624-9073-48db-a06f-92465b560a5c/ To the Sound of Iwo Jima]." Washington, D.C.: ''The Washington Post'', December 18, 1983.</ref> and consultant to film and television writers and directors, including those involved with the development and release of ''[[Flags of Our Fathers (film)|Flags of Our Fathers]]''.<ref name="auto"/>
In 1965, he published his first book, ''The Bloody Battle for Suribachi'', which he based on his diary entries and recollections of the Battle of Iwo Jima.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bloody Battle for Suribachi|last=Wheeler|first=Richard|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=1994|isbn=1-55750-923-9|location=Annapolis, MD|pages=|oclc=31970164|orig-year=1965}}</ref> As additional print and audio books followed, he became an increasingly respected military history writer<ref>Moskin, J. Robert. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/entertainment/books/1983/12/18/to-the-sound-of-iwo-jima/7edf2624-9073-48db-a06f-92465b560a5c/ To the Sound of Iwo Jima]." Washington, D.C.: ''The Washington Post'', December 18, 1983.</ref> and consultant to film and television writers and directors, including those involved with the development and release of ''[[Flags of Our Fathers (film)|Flags of Our Fathers]]''.<ref name="auto"/>


===Works by Richard Wheeler===
===Publications===
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/1416031 The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1965. {{OCLC|1416031}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/1416031 The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1965. {{OCLC|1416031}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/voices-of-the-civil-war/oclc/1818393?referer=di&ht=edition Voices of the Civil War]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1976. {{OCLC|1818393}}
• Voices of 1776, New York New York, Crowell, 1972.
* [https://www.worldcat.org/title/voices-of-the-civil-war/oclc/1818393?referer=di&ht=edition Voices of the Civil War]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1976. {{OCLC|1818393}}
* Wheeler, Richard. [https://www.worldcat.org/title/we-knew-stonewall-jackson/oclc/918284789?referer=di&ht=edition We Knew Stonewall Jackson]. New York, New York: Crowell, 1977. {{OCLC|918284789}}
* [https://www.worldcat.org/title/we-knew-stonewall-jackson/oclc/918284789?referer=di&ht=edition We Knew Stonewall Jackson]. New York, New York: Crowell, 1977. {{OCLC|918284789}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/we-knew-william-tecumseh-sherman/oclc/918287385?referer=di&ht=edition We Knew William Tecumseh Sherman]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1976. {{OCLC|918287385}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/we-knew-william-tecumseh-sherman/oclc/918287385?referer=di&ht=edition We Knew William Tecumseh Sherman]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1976. {{OCLC|918287385}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/shermans-march/oclc/493675572?referer=di&ht=edition Sherman's March]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1978. {{OCLC|493675572}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/shermans-march/oclc/493675572?referer=di&ht=edition Sherman's March]''. New York, New York: Crowell, 1978. {{OCLC|493675572}}
* Wheeler, Richard. [https://www.worldcat.org/title/iwo/oclc/252378851?referer=br&ht=edition ''Iwo'']. New York, New York: Lippincott & Crowell, 1980. {{OCLC|252378851}}
* [https://www.worldcat.org/title/iwo/oclc/252378851?referer=br&ht=edition ''Iwo'']. New York, New York: Lippincott & Crowell, 1980. {{OCLC|252378851}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/special-valor-the-us-marines-and-the-pacific-war/oclc/10341353?referer=di&ht=edition A Special Valor: The U.S. Marines and the Pacific War]''. New York, New York: Harper & Row, 1983. {{OCLC|10341353}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/special-valor-the-us-marines-and-the-pacific-war/oclc/10341353?referer=di&ht=edition A Special Valor: The U.S. Marines and the Pacific War]''. New York, New York: Harper & Row, 1983. {{OCLC|10341353}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/sword-over-richmond-an-eyewitness-history-of-mcclellans-peninsula-campaign/oclc/645872536?referer=di&ht=edition Sword Over Richmond: An eyewitness history of McClellan's Peninsula campaign]''. New York, New York: Harper & Row, 1986. {{OCLC|645872536}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/sword-over-richmond-an-eyewitness-history-of-mcclellans-peninsula-campaign/oclc/645872536?referer=di&ht=edition Sword Over Richmond: An eyewitness history of McClellan's Peninsula campaign]''. New York, New York: Harper & Row, 1986. {{OCLC|645872536}}
* Wheeler, Richard and Bronson Pinchot. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/witness-to-gettysburg-inside-the-battle-that-changed-the-course-of-the-civil-war/oclc/933390971?referer=br&ht=edition Witness to Gettysburg: Inside the battle that changed the course of the Civil War]'' (audiobook). Blackstone Audio, 1987. {{OCLC|933390971}}
* Wheeler, Richard and Bronson Pinchot. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/witness-to-gettysburg-inside-the-battle-that-changed-the-course-of-the-civil-war/oclc/933390971?referer=br&ht=edition Witness to Gettysburg: Inside the battle that changed the course of the Civil War]'' (audiobook). Blackstone Audio, 1987. {{OCLC|933390971}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/voices-of-the-civil-war/oclc/214987653&referer=brief_results Voices of the Civil War]''. New York, New York: Meridian, 1990. {{OCLC|214987653}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/voices-of-the-civil-war/oclc/214987653&referer=brief_results Voices of the Civil War]''. New York, New York: Meridian, 1990. {{OCLC|214987653}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/on-fields-of-fury-from-the-wilderness-to-the-crater-an-eyewitness-history/oclc/906559833?referer=br&ht=edition On Fields of Fury: From the Wilderness to the Crater, an eyewitness history]''. New York, New York: Harper Collins, 1991. {{OCLC|906559833}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/on-fields-of-fury-from-the-wilderness-to-the-crater-an-eyewitness-history/oclc/906559833?referer=br&ht=edition On Fields of Fury: From the Wilderness to the Crater, an eyewitness history]''. New York, New York: Harper Collins, 1991. {{OCLC|906559833}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/lees-terrible-swift-sword-from-antietam-to-chancellorsville-an-eyewitness-history/oclc/317849296?referer=br&ht=edition Lee's Terrible Swift Sword: From Antietam to Chancellorsville: An eyewitness history]''. New York, New York: Harper Perennial, 1992. {{OCLC|317849296}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/lees-terrible-swift-sword-from-antietam-to-chancellorsville-an-eyewitness-history/oclc/317849296?referer=br&ht=edition Lee's Terrible Swift Sword: From Antietam to Chancellorsville: An eyewitness history]''. New York, New York: Harper Perennial, 1992. {{OCLC|317849296}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/rising-thunder-from-lincolns-election-to-the-battle-of-bull-run-an-eyewitness-history/oclc/924842097?referer=di&ht=edition A Rising Thunder: From Lincoln's Election to the Battle of Bull Run: An eyewitness history]''. New York, New York: Harper Collins, 1994. {{OCLC|924842097}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/rising-thunder-from-lincolns-election-to-the-battle-of-bull-run-an-eyewitness-history/oclc/924842097?referer=di&ht=edition A Rising Thunder: From Lincoln's Election to the Battle of Bull Run: An eyewitness history]''. New York, New York: Harper Collins, 1994. {{OCLC|924842097}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/60283569?referer=di&ht=edition The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1994. {{OCLC|60283569}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi/oclc/60283569?referer=di&ht=edition The Bloody Battle for Suribachi]''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1994. {{OCLC|60283569}}
* Wheeler, Richard. [https://www.worldcat.org/title/iwo/oclc/31693687?referer=br&ht=edition ''Iwo'']. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1994. {{OCLC|31693687}}
* [https://www.worldcat.org/title/iwo/oclc/31693687?referer=br&ht=edition ''Iwo'']. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1994. {{OCLC|31693687}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/gettysburg-1863-campaign-of-endless-echoes/oclc/40821077?referer=br&ht=edition Gettysburg 1863: Campaign of endless echoes]''. New York, New York: Plume, 1999. {{OCLC|40821077}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/gettysburg-1863-campaign-of-endless-echoes/oclc/40821077?referer=br&ht=edition Gettysburg 1863: Campaign of endless echoes]''. New York, New York: Plume, 1999. {{OCLC|40821077}}
* Wheeler, Richard and Dick Estell. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/witness-to-appomatox/oclc/144560296?referer=di&ht=edition Witness to Appomattox]'' (audiobook). Blackstone Audio Inc., 2005. {{OCLC|144560296}}
* Wheeler, Richard and Dick Estell. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/witness-to-appomatox/oclc/144560296?referer=di&ht=edition Witness to Appomattox]'' (audiobook). Blackstone Audio Inc., 2005. {{OCLC|144560296}}
* Wheeler, Richard. ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi-the-amazing-story-of-iwo-jima-that-inspired-flags-of-our-fathers/oclc/798563531?referer=di&ht=edition The Bloody Battle for Suribachi: The amazing story of Iwo Jima that inspired Flags of Our Fathers]''. New York, New York: Skyhorse, 2007. {{OCLC|798563531}}
* ''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/bloody-battle-for-suribachi-the-amazing-story-of-iwo-jima-that-inspired-flags-of-our-fathers/oclc/798563531?referer=di&ht=edition The Bloody Battle for Suribachi: The amazing story of Iwo Jima that inspired Flags of Our Fathers]''. New York, New York: Skyhorse, 2007. {{OCLC|798563531}}


==Later years==
==Later years==
[[File:Pine Grove, Pennsylvania (4102786684).jpg|thumb|Nutting Hall, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, c. 2009.]] In 1997, Wheeler relocated to Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, where he resided at [[Nutting Hall]], the historic home owned by his sister, Marjery Wheeler Mattox. He continued to research and write military history books, and also continued to serve as a consultant for television and film productions.<ref>Terwilliger, Vicki. "[https://www.pressreader.com/ Brother's Treasures: Sister of well known author auctioning off personal items]." Pottsville, Pennsylvania: ''Pottsville Republican'' (via the Press Reader), April 26, 2019.</ref>
[[File:Pine Grove, Pennsylvania (4102786684).jpg|thumb|Nutting Hall, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, c. 2009.]] In 1997, Wheeler relocated to Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, where he resided at [[Nutting Hall]], the historic home owned by his sister, Marjery Wheeler Mattox. He continued to research and write military history books, and also continued to serve as a consultant for television and film productions.<ref>Terwilliger, Vicki. "[https://www.pressreader.com/ Brother's Treasures: Sister of well known author auctioning off personal items]." Pottsville, Pennsylvania: ''Pottsville Republican'' (via the Press Reader), April 26, 2019.</ref>


In 2006, he joined several survivors from his Iwo Jima platoon in attending a Veterans Day breakfast at the [[White House]] with President [[George W. Bush]].<ref name="auto"/>
In 2006, he joined several survivors from his Iwo Jima platoon in attending a Veterans Day breakfast at the [[White House]] with President [[George W. Bush]].<ref name="auto"/>
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[[Category:American military writers]]
[[Category:American military writers]]
[[Category:Historians of the United States]]
[[Category:Historians of the United States]]
[[Category:Historians of World War II]]
[[Category:American historians of World War II]]
[[Category:20th-century American historians]]
[[Category:20th-century American historians]]
[[Category:Historians of the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Historians of the American Civil War]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Marines]]

Latest revision as of 00:27, 10 November 2024

For other people with the same name, see Richard Wheeler.
Richard "Dick" Wheeler
Born(1922-01-08)January 8, 1922
Reading, Pennsylvania. U.S.
DiedOctober 21, 2008(2008-10-21) (aged 86)
Nutting Hall, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation
  • Historian
  • author

Richard "Dick" Wheeler (August 1, 1922 – October 21, 2008) was an American military historian who authored seventeen books and served as a military consultant for multiple film and television projects. A member of the United States Marine Corp's Easy Company, (2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division) during World War II, he was seriously wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima.[1]

Post-war, he penned an account of that battle, The Bloody Battle for Suribachi,[2] and became a military historian. Following his first book's release in 1965, he then published additional works, including Voices of the Civil War in 1976[3] and Iwo, which was released in 1980.[4][5] He received a 1973 Christopher Award for Voices of 1776 and the Fletcher Pratt Award for Voices of the Civil War.[6]

Formative years

[edit]

Born on January 8, 1922, in the city of Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania, Wheeler was a son of Reading native Clarence E. Wheeler and Margaret (Wenrich) Wheeler, a native of Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He and his sister, Marjery, subsequently spent their formative years in Laureldale, Pennsylvania after relocating there with their parents in 1926.[5]

Editor of the Muhlenberg Township High School newspaper during his senior year of school, he secured a job as a writer for the Reading Shopping Bulletin after graduating, and worked there until he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.[5]

Military service

[edit]

Following the attack by Japanese military forces on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Wheeler promptly enlisted for World War II military service. After enrolling with the United States Marine Corps, he was assigned to the corps' Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Seriously wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945 while serving with Easy Company as a private first class,[7] he spent a significant period of time recuperating from his injuries before heading home after being honorably discharged.[5]

According to Major General Fred Haynes, in a later analysis of his combat experiences, Wheeler said:[8]

"It's true that a combat team must be composed mainly of cautious men; wholesale heedlessness under fire would certainly bring the team to disaster. But there is also a need for an audacious minority. It's this minority that sets the pace for an attack. If everyone were to dig in deeply and move only when it was really necessary—which is all that duty requires—the team's effort would lack vigor. There must be a scattering of men who neglect their safety and act with a daring initiative. Most of the tough feats that win the medals are performed by men like this."

Post-war life and publishing career

[edit]

After returning home from his World War II service, Wheeler returned to his job with the Reading Shopping Bulletin. Over time, he also began to secure work as a freelance writer of poetry and prose for various national publications, including the Saturday Evening Post.[5]

In 1965, he published his first book, The Bloody Battle for Suribachi, which he based on his diary entries and recollections of the Battle of Iwo Jima.[9] As additional print and audio books followed, he became an increasingly respected military history writer[10] and consultant to film and television writers and directors, including those involved with the development and release of Flags of Our Fathers.[5]

Works by Richard Wheeler

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  • The Bloody Battle for Suribachi. New York, New York: Crowell, 1965. OCLC 1416031

• Voices of 1776, New York New York, Crowell, 1972.

Later years

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Nutting Hall, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, c. 2009.

In 1997, Wheeler relocated to Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, where he resided at Nutting Hall, the historic home owned by his sister, Marjery Wheeler Mattox. He continued to research and write military history books, and also continued to serve as a consultant for television and film productions.[11]

In 2006, he joined several survivors from his Iwo Jima platoon in attending a Veterans Day breakfast at the White House with President George W. Bush.[5]

Death and interment

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Still residing with his sister at Nutting Hall in 2008, he died there at the age of 86 on October 21, 2008, and was interred at Saint Peter's Cemetery in Pine Grove.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Richard 'Dick' Wheeler" (obituary). Pottsville, Pennsylvania: Republican & Herald, October 27, 2008 (retrieved online via Legacy.com, August 24, 2019).
  2. ^ Wheeler, Richard. The Bloody Battle for Suribachi. New York, New York: Crowell, 1965. OCLC 1416031
  3. ^ Wheeler, Richard. Voices of the Civil War. New York, New York: Crowell, 1976. OCLC 1818393
  4. ^ Wheeler, Richard. The Bloody Battle for Suribachi. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1994. OCLC 60283569
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Richard 'Dick' Wheeler" (obituary), Pottsville Republican & Herald, October 27, 2008.
  6. ^ Dear, Pamela S., ed. (1996). Contemporary Authors. New Revision Series. Vol. 50. New York: Gale Research. pp. 456-457. ISBN 9780810393417.
  7. ^ Haynes, Fred. The Lions of Iwo Jima, p. 119. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008.
  8. ^ Haynes, The Lions of Iwo Jima, p. 100.
  9. ^ Wheeler, Richard (1994) [1965]. The Bloody Battle for Suribachi. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-923-9. OCLC 31970164.
  10. ^ Moskin, J. Robert. "To the Sound of Iwo Jima." Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post, December 18, 1983.
  11. ^ Terwilliger, Vicki. "Brother's Treasures: Sister of well known author auctioning off personal items." Pottsville, Pennsylvania: Pottsville Republican (via the Press Reader), April 26, 2019.
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