The name M. J. Wheeler Jr. matches the record of Maurice J. "Skip" Wheeler Jr., whose military and family ties are deeply connected to the U.S. Armed Forces. Aviation Background: He served as a pilot, operating in a family of distinct military aviators, including his brother, retired Air Force Colonel Jon Wheeler. Family Military Legacy: His legacy of service continues through his immediate descendants, including his granddaughter, Major Kayla Doescher (U.S. Air Force), and her husband, Lieutenant Adam Rondina (U.S. Navy). Maurice J. Wheeler Jr. passed away in 2024. Following a joint memorial service with his wife of over 62 years, Renee, both were laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. This lot includes several of his belongings. His obituary is published online and reads: "Ret. Col (USAF) Maurice "Skip" Julian Wheeler, Jr., 85, of Springfield, VA peacefully passed away, surrounded by loved ones on May 21, 2024, at 6:37pm. Skip was born on March 23, 1939, to Maurice Julian Wheeler Sr and Helen Baylous Wheeler (Brown) in Charleston, West Virginia. As a young man he worked on the railroad and laid railroad ties. He spoke with pride how hard it was to do this job and was thankful he had the opportunity to build something with his own hands. In 1958-59, as a sophomore at University of Miami, Florida, Skip started his aviation career cleaning commercial aircraft at Miami International Airport. He began flying lessons at Tamiami Airport and he flew his first solo flight on December 24, 1958, after about five hours of "stick time". At the beginning of 1959 Skip decided he wanted to fly in the Air Force, and after scoring well on the entry test and passing the physical with "flying colors", he received his letter of acceptance. With no pilot slots initially available, he began his career as a navigator at Harlingen AFB, Texas. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on September 22, 1960, and began service as an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) as part of the flight crew of the B-52 bomber aircraft. During Christmas of 1960, Skip proposed to his high school sweetheart, Sharon "Renee" Skinner. The wedding took place in Norfolk, Virginia on July 1, 1961 over a long weekend when he was able to get time off. They immediately started what they called their "open ended Honeymoon" driven by more military training. While stationed at Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico in December 1963, Skip and Renee welcomed their eldest daughter, Cheryl Lynne Wheeler (Mittelman). While serving there as a captain, Skip and some fellow navigators/EWOs made a bet on who would get high scores on the pilot entrance exam. Skip said 10 officers took the exam and he was the only one to pass! This led he and Renee to Moody AFB, Valdosta, Georgia to begin pilot training. With much camaraderie, his Class 67-E members were like a fraternity and remained close over the years. While at Moody AFB, Skip and Renee welcomed their son, Michael Sean Wheeler, in July 1966. Skip became a pilot on the C-130 aircraft and flew it during a tour in Vietnam before switching to the KC-135 air tanker for the rest of this military career. Their youngest daughter, Jennifer Rae Wheeler (Sprague) was born on Ramey AFB, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in June 1969. Throughout most of Skip's military career he was in the Strategic Air Command (SAC), which controlled most U.S. nuclear weapons as well as the bombers and missiles capable of delivering those weapons. As part of his promotion to Colonel, Skip was selected to attend the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama in 1979. For his last military assignment, Skip had the honor of serving on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. Among his many military honors and awards, the two most notable were the Defense Superior Service Medal and, from his tour in Vietnam, the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross, our nation's highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement. The Air Force moved Skip and Renee 24 times throughout his military career. Yet he was proud that all three of his children graduated from the same Northern Virginia high school, almost unheard of in the military when moving so often. As the family made their moves, they would camp in a Winnebago affectionally known as "the Bus" until base housing was available. The times between assignments turned into countless family camping vacations and exclusive trips. Skip loved serving his country! On November 30, 1986, Skip retired after serving in the United States Air Force for 27 years..." Shipping: (LxWxH) 24 inches x 24 inches x 18 inches via UPS