Korean War Edwin Bliss Wheeler (March 17, 1918 – October 14, 1985) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general.

He served with famous Marine Raiders during World War II and earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action.

[4] Wheeler was appointed rifle platoon leader and took part in the extensive amphibious training and preparation for deployment to the Pacific area.

[1][4] Following the Guadalcanal campaign, Wheeler led a long-range amphibious reconnaissance patrol of the 1st Raider Battalion on the island of Kolombangara, New Georgia and spent almost three weeks behind enemy lines.

[1] He was then ordered to South Korea and appointed commanding officer of 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion and took part in the combat against Chinese communists on East Central Front.

[5][6] Following his return stateside, Wheeler was attached to the staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico under Lieutenant General Clifton B. Cates and also attended Senior Course there.

In addition to the Da Nang area, Wheeler and his troops was responsible for the defense of Phu Bai, where they encountered Vietcong (VC) units.

[1] Wheeler then began his second tour of duty in Vietnam as Deputy Commander of XXIV Corps under Lieutenant General Richard G. Stilwell.

The 1st Marine Division was stationed in Quảng Nam Province and was to provide security for the city of Da Nang and assist Vietnamese forces "as requested" in support of pacification, while continuing surveillance, reconnaissance, and psychological warfare within its TAOR.

[9] On April 18, Wheeler, members of his staff, and Colonel Edward A. Wilcox (1st Marines) were on an inspection of a search and destroy operation, while their helicopter crashed on approach to a jungle landing zone 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Da Nang.

He relinquished command to Major General Charles F. Widdecke on April 27, 1970, and was ordered to the States for treatment at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

He was appointed Deputy Secretary of health, education and welfare for California State by then-Governor Ronald Reagan and served in this capacity for next two years.

[3] When Ronald Reagan was elected 40th President of the United States, he appointed Wheeler to the American Battle Monuments Commission.