Earle Wheeler

Earle G. Wheeler
General Earle Gilmore "Bus" Wheeler, United States Army
Birth name	Earle Gilmore Wheeler
Nickname(s)	Bus
Born	(1908-01-13)January 13, 1908 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	December 18, 1975(1975-12-18) (aged 67) Frederick County, Maryland, U.S.
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1932-1970
Rank	General
Commands held	2nd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment 351st Infantry Regiment 2nd Armored Division III Corps U.S. Army Chief of Staff Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal
Relations	Gilmore "Bim" Stone Wheeler (son) William Gilmore Wheeler (grandson) John Robinson Wheeler (grandson)

Earle Gilmore Wheeler (January 13, 1908 – December 18, 1975), nicknamed Bus, was a United States Army general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1962 to 1964 and then as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1964–1970), holding the latter position during the Vietnam War.

Earle Gilmore Wheeler was born in Washington, D.C. to Dock Stone and Ida Gilmore. He was later adopted by Ida's second husband. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1932 and was commissioned into the infantry. After graduation he married Frances "Betty" Rogers Howell, whom he met at a society party in 1930. He served in the 29th Infantry Regiment from 1932 to 1936, then attended Infantry School in 1937. He served with the 15th Infantry Regiment, from 1937 to 1940, stationed in China from 1937 to 1938.

From 1940 to 1941, Wheeler was a mathematics instructor at West Point. Rising from battalion commander to more senior roles, he trained the newly activated 36th and 99th Infantry Divisions from 1941 to 1944, then went to Europe in November 1944 as chief of staff of the newly formed 63rd Infantry Division.

Wheeler served in senior staff positions in a variety of specialties, including supply, intelligence, planning, and armor.

In late 1945, Wheeler returned to the U.S. as an artillery instructor at Fort Sill, then returned to Germany from 1947-1949 as a staff officer of the United States Constabulary (formerly VI Corps), occupying Germany. He attended the National War College in 1950. He then returned to Europe as a staff officer in NATO, in a series of roles. In 1951-52 he commanded the 351st Infantry Regiment, which controlled the Free Territory of Trieste, a front-line position of the Cold War.