Posted on 04/12/2011 12:55:24 PM PDT by smoothsailing
By Hugh Lessig
April 12, 2011
Jack Wheeler had a flair for the dramatic.
Growing up in Hampton, he wrestled with the question of his future after high school. The grand moment of truth is recounted in Rick Atkinson's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "The Long, Gray Line."
Jack's father, an Army colonel, was pushing him toward the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His mother, Janet, favored Yale University, where Jack had been accepted.
When he made up his mind, Jack came down to the dinner table one evening and announced: "I've decided where I want to go." After a theatrical pause, he said: "West Point."
That dramatic streak continued throughout his life.
His last home was in New Castle, Del., a historic section that overlooks the Delaware River. Richard and Phoebe Dill live two houses and away, and they became fast friends with Wheeler and his wife, Katherine Klyce.
Mrs. Dill recalled one moment that was typical Jack. The two couples were having dinner before Christmas when Mr. Dill mentioned that his grandchildren would love to see one of those giant military transport planes – the kind that can hold a tank.
"Jack just quietly made that happen," Mrs. Dill said. "We didn't know about it until Christmas Day when the grandchildren were here. In he walks, just opens the door — and we were friends, so that was OK — and he said, 'All right, everyone will have to get dressed.'"
She laughs at the memory.
"It's Christmas Day! It's so unbelievable! But it was really wonderful. Everybody got their coats on and we got in the car and went to where the airplane was."
New Castle view
Much of the publicity about Jack Wheeler's murder has focused on...
(Excerpt) Read more at dailypress.com ...
He could have been having a stroke when the garage attendant saw him, or he might have had an undiagnosed brain tumor. either case would have made him vulnerable to a street thug who was just after his belongings. It seems a sad end to a remarkable person. May he RIP and his friends & family find solace in the truth.
This whole thing is so sad. Hopefully they find the person or persons responsible for his death and exact justice.
This is a good series, thanks for posting.
There's another article today by the same writer that wrote the one I posted. Here's an exerpt:
Other thoughts come from Wheeler's wife, Katherine Klyce, in an interview she gave to Slate.com. The family has offered a $25,000 reward, but she said, "I think perhaps no one has been on the reward because they've already been paid."
"The way they disposed of his body, it's a miracle anybody ever found it. That just sounds like a pro to me," she said.
Thomas McInerney, a retired Air Force officer, told ABC News: "A man with that experience, it could have been foul play to get some of the secrets he had."
Who killed Jack Wheeler, Part 3: Conspiracy talk aplenty in Wheeler murder
Thanks. I think there’s a lot of different possibilities and I sure wouldn’t discount what Gen. McInerney said, he’s not only a very smart guy but a level headed one.
The thing that has most argued against the random mugging theory for me is the body’s placement in a dumpster. Wheeler must have weighed 175+ pounds. The killer would have had to dead lift 175+ pounds, pressed it over his head, and thrown it into the dumpster. I think it’s somewhat unlikely that a random street thug would possess the physical strength required for such a feat. And I think it quite unlikely a random street thug would increase his risk of discovery by taking the time to conceal a body after killing someone.
I noticed the link you posted is to a “List of Dead Scientists”. The John Wheeler referenced in the article I posted is a West Point and Yale graduate. His background is military and legal, and would not be thought of as a scientist.
I wonder if the person compiling the list had this guy in mind...
http://www.freebase.com/view/en/john_archibald_wheeler
He seems to believe that scientists who are involved with research or specialize in bio weapons or counter agents are being targeted and he has listed those who have died or been killed in support of that theory.
My guess is that Jack Wheeler, while not a scientist, apparently made his list due to both the unsolved mystery aspect of his death and for the work he has done and was possibly doing.
Your post reminded me of the website and his being on the list. From that website:
John (Jack) P. Wheeler III, 66. last seen Dec. 30 found dead in a Delaware landfill, fought to get the Vietnam Memorial built and served in two Bush administrations. His death has been ruled a homicide by Newark, Del. police. Wheeler graduated from West Point in 1966, and had a law degree from Yale and a business degree from Harvard. His military career included serving in the office of the Secretary of Defense and writing a manual on the effectiveness of biological and chemical weapons, which recommended that the United States not use biological weapons.
I'm not promoting him, his theories or website, just offering more info and another theory for "Who Killed Jack Wheeler?"
I appreciate your post, it explains Wheeler being on the list.
Wheeler’s killer or killers remain unknown, so I’m not prepared to completely discount conspiracy theories at this point. I tend to think, however, that the answer is probably not as dramatic as that website would suggest.
Whoever it was knew what they were doing.
I’ve seen no new info or news stories since April 11th.
The main thread here hasn’t been updated since then...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2654134/posts?q=1&;page=1707#1707
I think Gen. McInerney has had it right all along, Jack was killed by pros.
His Memorial Sevice at Arlington National Cemetary is this Friday.
It is mid May and nothing. So frustrating.
There’s this...
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-05-11-jack-wheeler-unsolved-murder_n.htm?csp=hf
Thanks!
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