Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

Company C, 303rd Engineer Battalion, 78th Infantry Division "Lightning", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1945

By direction of the President, under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to Private Louis C. Wheeler (31446796), Corps of Engineers, Company C, 303rd Engineer Battalion, for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on 9 February in the vicinity of .., Germany.

Private Wheeler, member of an enginer reconnaissance party, went forward with an infantry attack, during absolute darkness, over 1500 yards of rough weeded terrain to a dam of great military value. Against hostile resistance, he descended a steep, 75-feet cliff to the valve house. A complete and detail report of the findings at the partially blown valve house was made at the end of the mission. The disregard for personal safety and devotion to duty displayed by Private Wheeler are in accordance with the highest military traditions.

- Headquarters, 78th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 43 (20 February, 1945).