Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his family) from Secretary of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius at the Marine Barracks, Washington DC, for his actions as a lance corporal with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, on August 11, 1967 along the Liberty Road, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam. He enlisted with the US Marine Corps in September 1966, and after his recruit and infantry combat training, he was sent to South Vietnam in March 1967. As a rifleman, he participated in several combat campaigns and was promoted to the rank of lance corporal in June 1967. On August 11, 1967 while providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane. he unknowingly triggered a land mine and without hesitation he smothered it with his body to protect his comrades and was killed in the ensuing explosion. He was also awarded the Purple Heart (with gold star) and the Vietnamese Military Merit and Gallantry Cross (with palm) Medals. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and two other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban district, Quang Nam Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a treeline adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position and here unintentionally triggered a well-concealed, bounding type antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the three marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.