[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 168 (Monday, November 16, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7961-S7963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Master Sergeant Joshua L. Wheeler
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, the Presiding Officer, Senator Lankford,
and I want to recognize and pay tribute to Army MSG Joshua Wheeler.
Joshua was born in Roland, OK. He was deployed to Kirkuk Province,
Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. I didn't remember him
at the time, but I was there during that time. He was deployed to
Kirkuk to support Operation Inherent Resolve. That was his 14th
deployment in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Joshua's unit,
along with Iraqi and Kurdish forces, raided a compound near the city of
Kirkuk, freeing 70 prisoners from captivity. Josh died of injuries
sustained in that firefight. He would have turned 40 this month.
Josh attended and graduated from Muldrow High School in 1994, and a
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classmate of his, Ms. Tra Moreland, said this about Josh and his
character:
If you would have asked me 20 years ago, would he be the
man--the kind of man to do this, to give his life for
everyone else? I'd say most definitely! I wish everybody
could have known him!
Josh enlisted in the Army straight out of high school. During his
military career, he served in the 24th Infantry Regiment, 75th Ranger
Regiment, and from 2004 until the events that bring us here today, he
was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, where he
served with the Delta Force.
I think we all understand what the Delta Force is all about. It is a
unit of the elite, the very best of the best. That was Josh--the best
of the best. Josh was the epitome of a selfless and patriotic soldier.
Mr. Lance Hunter, Sergeant Wheeler's friend of 30 years, said that
Josh was the kind of person who would stop and help a stranger change a
tire on the side of the road and always dedicated himself to
challenges.
When he enlisted, I knew he would go as far as he could go.
He was made to be a soldier.
A soldier he was. During his career, Master Sergeant Wheeler had
earned 11 Bronze Stars, including 4 with Valor Device, and countless
other medals. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his
actions during the raid on the ISIS prison. He is a true American hero.
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter expressed how selfless Sergeant
Wheeler's actions were, stating that ``they weren't part of the
original rescue mission plan, but were critical to the mission's
success.'' In other words, he did something he didn't have to do.
Still, the Secretary is one of thousands who know what a hero Josh
really is.
I was honored to hear that his hometown honored him by engraving his
name in a stone monument and releasing hundreds of balloons in his
memory. On top of being a highly decorated soldier, he was a consummate
family man and father of four. Joshua's grandfather, Mr. Jack Shamblin
of Roland, OK, said his grandson loved fishing and hunting and was a
family man and was always taking care of everyone else, including his
four half sisters.
His brother Zack said:
He was a soldier, but I didn't realize he had all of these
accomplishments, all these achievements--it just blows my
mind. He's an American hero, he just wanted to take care of
people.
Ms. April Isa, a classmate of Josh's and an English teacher now at
the old high school said:
He was always funny, even mischievous, but always the guy
who seemed like he had your back. Most of our class was
cliques, but he wasn't with just one group. He was friends
with everyone.
Josh lived a life for his family and friends. I had occasion to talk
to Ashley, and I found out that he was a real Jesus guy. He loved
everyone, and he knew what was going to happen to him, and we know
where he is today. He will be remembered for his commitment to and
belief in the greatness of our Nation, and his memory and legacy will
continue forever in the love of his wife Ashley and his four sons,
Zachariah, Matthew, Joshua Junior, and the youngest, David, just 3
months old.
The fight that took Josh's life is tragic. But make no mistake; his
sacrifice made a difference and will continue to make a difference, not
just in Iraq but in the security of our great Nation. We are safe in
our country, and it is secure because of Josh and our service men and
women. We must continue our unwavering support of them.
I extend our deepest gratitude and condolences to Josh's family.
Senator Lankford and I are honored to pay tribute to this true American
hero who volunteered to go into the fight and to make the ultimate
sacrifice of his life for our freedom. It is my sincere hope that his
family takes solace in knowing that their husband, father, brother,
grandson, and friend is a true American hero and will not be forgotten.
We say God bless you, Josh. We will see you again.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Inhofe). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, I come to the floor of the Senate today
to talk about the sacrifice of one of Oklahoma's own, MSG Joshua
Wheeler of Roland, OK, Sequoyah County, America. The current Presiding
Officer today is Senator Inhofe, and the two of us together recognize
and celebrate the life of someone who laid down his life for the
Nation.
Roland and Muldrow are proud towns in eastern Oklahoma. It is
Cherokee country, where families take care of other families and small-
town American patriotism still thrives. It is the land of tall trees
and very strong churches.
Josh was killed in action on October 22 while liberating captives
held by ISIL in northern Iraq. Josh was part of a team assisting
Kurdish commandos to rescue 70 hostages who were about to be executed
by Islamic State militants. There was aerial reconnaissance that had
shown a newly dug mass grave at the prison where these 70 prisoners
were being held.
When the Kurdish attack on the prison where the hostages were being
held stalled, Master Sergeant Wheeler responded. He could not watch the
Kurdish forces face the attack without help. He would not allow those
men inside the facility to face execution when he could help them
escape. Master Sergeant Wheeler breached the wall. He engaged the
enemy. The full force of the attack came directly at him, and he saved
the day and six dozen men.
You need to know that Master Sergeant Wheeler was the best of the
best, the most highly trained warrior in the entire Department of
Defense. Josh deployed three times as a Ranger in support of combat
operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, then Master Sergeant Wheeler was
assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in 2004 and was
deployed 11 additional times in support of combat operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
Master Sergeant Wheeler was highly decorated. We can see this from
his uniform. Let me tell you a little bit about his awards. They
included four Bronze Star Medals with Valor Device; seven Bronze Star
Medals; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Meritorious Service
Medal; the Air Medal; the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor
Device; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; seven Army Commendation
Medals; the Joint Service Achievement Medal; eight Army Achievement
Medals; the Good Conduct Medal, sixth award; the National Defense
Service Medal with Bronze Service Star; the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
with three Bronze Service Stars; the Iraq Campaign Medal with six
Bronze Service Stars; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal;
the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Noncommissioned Officer
Professional Development Ribbon, third award; the Army Service Ribbon;
the Presidential Unit Citation; the Valorous Unit Award, second award;
the Ranger Tab; the Combat Infantryman Badge; the Expert Infantryman
Badge; the Master Parachutist Badge; three Overseas Service Bars; and
finally, posthumously, the Purple Heart.
He did everything his country asked him to do and more. Master
Sergeant Wheeler was the first American serviceman killed in combat in
Iraq since 2011. Americans, Kurds, and Iraqis alike owe Master Sergeant
Wheeler and his family our deepest gratitude and respect for a life of
selfless service. John 15:13 tells us that no greater love is this,
than one who lays down his life for his friends. Josh did exactly that.
Master Sergeant Wheeler's sacrifice exemplifies the highest virtue in
defense of his family, friends, and Nation.
Speaking of his friends, they called him a cutup. He was someone who
made everyone laugh. He was a friend to everyone.
I spoke to his wife Ashley last week, and she recounted his faith,
toughness, and passion for his boys--all four of them. He was able to
come home a few months ago for the birth of his fourth son. It was a
peaceful and joyous respite from the brutal realities of war that Josh
faced for years.
Josh spent his life defending the weak and standing up for those who
needed help. He spent much of his childhood caring for his siblings. He
valued life, freedom, and duty.
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In contrast to Master Sergeant Wheeler's heroism and selflessness,
let me remind you whom he was fighting against. In the days following
the Paris attack, we understand that the barbarians of ISIL had no
problem randomly killing people at a restaurant, soccer stadium, or
concert. They kill for intimidation and pleasure. They do not even
value their own lives, much less the lives of the people around them.
The Islamic State has committed some of the most horrific acts of death
the modern world has ever seen. Their fight is against all modern
society, and their goal is to return the world to a medieval state
ruled by fear. They have abducted girls and women, called them subhuman
for practicing the wrong religion according to them, and sold them as
sex slaves. In the world of ISIL, women can't get an education, drive a
car, or even have their own rights. They kill and torture anyone who
doesn't agree with them. Their reach extends to our own citizens. No
one can forget the horrific deaths of James Foley, Stephen Sotloff, and
Kayla Mueller, a 26-year-old woman who wanted to do good for the people
of Syria but met pure evil when she got there.
Recently, FBI Director James Comey spoke about ISIL's attempts to
inspire Americans to turn on each other with blind brutality. Go out
and kill, they say. It doesn't matter who, just act. Good men stand up
to such evil. They don't allow it to grow and multiply.
We honor Master Sergeant Wheeler's sacrifice and tenacious commitment
to confront evil. We humbly thank his family for the sacrifice they
made so that we may all live in a more peaceful world. Our Nation
cannot say thank you loud enough or long enough to his family.
When I spoke to Ashley, Josh's wife, she recounted when the doorbell
rang early that morning. It didn't even cross her mind that it was
about Josh. He was so tough and so dedicated. Who would have ever
thought he would be gone? The painful and long process of grieving over
a lost hero has just begun. Master Sergeant Wheeler was killed in
action defending our freedom on October 22. His final service will be
this week--just a few days before his birthday. The long days of
Thanksgiving and Christmas are still ahead.
Please join me in praying for the family of Master Sergeant Wheeler
as our Nation grieves the loss of a husband, father, grandson, and
friend to those who knew him. He is a hero to the Nation and the many
lives he saved a month ago this week. May God bless Josh's family. May
his boys grow up to be men who remember their dad's love for them and
our Nation.
With that, I yield back.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
(Mr. LANKFORD assumed the Chair.)
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Daines). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
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