Rank Lieutenant General Name Raymond Wheeler | ||
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Born July 31, 1885
Peoria, Illinois ( 1885-07-31 ) Allegiance United States of America Commands held Chief of Engineers (1945-1949) Battles/wars Veracruz Expedition
World War I
World War II Died February 9, 1974, Washington, D.C., United States Education United States Military Academy Awards Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medal, Hoover Medal Battles and wars United States occupation of Veracruz, World War I, World War II | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Raymond Albert Wheeler (July 31, 1885 in Peoria, Illinois – February 9, 1974) was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1911.
In Autumn 1943, he was appointed to the South East Asia Command (SEAC) of the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II on the staff of Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, where he served as principal administrative officer and from February 1944, as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, replacing General Vinegar Joe Stilwell.
He served as Chief of Engineers for the United States Army Corps of Engineers from October 4, 1945 to February 28, 1949. He directed the clearing of the Suez Canal following the 1956 Suez Crisis.
Wheeler's military awards included a Silver Star, a Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Legion of Merit. He was also an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) and an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).
He died on February 9, 1974 in Washington, D.C. and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.