John Edmund Wheelahan ’42

Ed died July 25, 2001, at Audie Murphy Veterans Administration Hospital in San Antonio, Tex. Born in New Orleans, he lived in San Antonio for 43 years. His business career included retailing with Sears Roebuck and real estate with Trammell Crow Co.

Coming to Princeton from New Orleans Jesuit H.S., Ed left Princeton shortly after Pearl Harbor. Joining the Army Air Corps, he was assigned to the 466th Bomb Group after receiving his wings. He completed 33

missions as pilot of a B-17 that operated out of Adelbridge, England. In our '42 War Book, he said, "It is difficult to describe the mental strain of continuing to fly mission after mission, long after you figure your time had come." He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice and the Air Medal. He spent five years on active duty and was discharged in the fall of 1946.

As Ed never married, this memorial is dedicated to the memory of a classmate who served his country in a time of war with valor and distinction.

The Class of 1942