LANCE CORPORAL
ROY MITCHELL WHEAT, USMC (DECEASED) 
 

Medal of Honor Citation

Roy Mitchell Wheat, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in August 1967, was born 24 July 1947, in Moselle, Mississippi. He attended Jones County schools in Ellisville, Mississippi, leaving high school, after two years, in 1965.

In September 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Jackson, Mississippi. Private Wheat then reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He underwent recruit training with the 2d Recruit Training Battalion, after which he completed special infantry training with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon completion of infantry training, he was promoted to private first class, February 1967.

Private First Class Wheat arrived in the Republic of Vietnam in March 1967, and was assigned duty as a rifleman with Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. His unit participated in numerous combat operations, including Operation DeSoto, Duc Pho District, Quang Ngai Province; and Operations Webster, Arizona, Butler and Gem in Quang Nam Province. He was promoted to lance corporal, June 1967.

While assigned, with two other Marines, the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province on 11 August 1967, LCpl Wheat was killed by multiple shrapnel wounds received when he unintentionally triggered a well concealed antipersonnel mine.

His medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart with one Gold Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

 Vietnam War 1965-1973 Medal of Honor