"I Was The Last Person Taken Out Alive" | Beirut Survivor: Danny Wheeler

09/11/24 • 93 min

1 Listener

Danny Wheeler’s life was irrevocably altered on October 23, 1983, when he survived the Beirut barracks bombing, a bombing that took the lives of 241 U.S. servicemembers in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. As the Lutheran chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Danny was responsible for the spiritual care of the Marines in Beirut. On the day of the bombing, he was in his bunk on the 4th floor of the BLT building. When the bomb detonated, Danny rode the collapsing structure down, becoming trapped for five harrowing hours. During this time, he thought of his family, recited the plots of Louis L’Amour novels, and argued with God. He was the last survivor pulled alive from the rubble. Today, Danny shares his incredible story of survival and faith as part of our limited series: Beirut Survivors.

Born in Menomonie, WI, and raised in Dallas, WI, Danny Wheeler earned a Master of Divinity from Luther Theological Seminary before being called to Naval Chaplaincy. He served with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, and later at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, TX, before transitioning to the Navy Reserves. Over 26 years in the Navy Chaplain Corps, Danny provided spiritual guidance and comfort in some of the most challenging environments, including the lead-up to and aftermath of the Beirut bombing, where he helped preside over memorial services and offered solace to Marines during intense shelling. Danny’s story is one of unwavering faith, service, and resilience.

Previous Episode

TARGETED: BEIRUT Chapter One Sneak Peek

On September 24, the first in Jack’s new non-fiction series, TARGETED, will be released. This is the first in a new series written with Pulitzer Prize finalist James M. Scott exploring history’s most devastating terrorist attacks and their enduring global impacts.

This inaugural installment of TARGETED delves into the tragic events of October 23, 1983, when terrorists struck the U.S. Marine Corps barracks and headquarters building in Beirut, Lebanon. The blast was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history and resulted in the Marines greatest single-day loss of life since the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

Join Jack in reflecting on the lessons of this pivotal moment in American history by listening to Chapter 1 of TARGETED: BERUIT - THE 1983 MARINE BARRACKS BOMBING AND THE UNTOLD ORIGIN STORY OF THE WAR ON TERROR, narrated by Ray Porter.

There are lessons in the pages of history.

Order your copy of TARGETED: BEIRUT HERE.

Buy the audiobook https://bit.ly/TargetedBeirutAudio

Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from TARGETED: BEIRUT by Jack Carr and James M. Scott, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2024 by Rainsford Consulting LLC. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

SPONSORS:

TARGETED: BERUIT The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror – https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/targeted-beirut/

Bravo Company Manufacturing: Visit us on the web at http://jackcarr.co/bcm and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA.com

SIG: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the legendary SIG SAUER P226. Learn more here - https://jackcarr.co/SIG40thP226

Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here - https://shop.officialjackcarr.com/

Next Episode

"It Was Louder Than Anything I'd Ever Heard" -Beirut Survivor: Jimmy Ware

1 Recommendations

Dr. Jimmy Ware’s life took a dramatic turn on October 23, 1983, when he found himself at the center of the medical rescue efforts following the Beirut barracks bombing, a bombing that took the lives of 241 U.S. servicemembers in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. As one of two dentists stationed in Beirut, Dr. Ware played a critical role in the aftermath of the attack. On the morning of the bombing, he and Dr. Gil Bigelow managed the entire medical response, drawing on their preparedness from a mass casualty plan devised by their friend, Dr. John Hudson. Later that day, Dr. Ware visited the bomb site and grasped the enormity of the devastation. His meticulous work, including the recovery of dental records from the ruins, proved essential in the identification of the fallen. Today, Dr. Ware shares his poignant and powerful story as part of our limited series: Beirut Survivors.

A native of Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Jimmy Ware earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Emory University in 1978 and a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1982. Upon graduating, he joined the Fleet Marine Force, 2nd Dental Battalion at Camp Lejeune, NC, and later deployed to Lebanon with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit as part of a Multinational Peacekeeping Mission. Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Ware received numerous decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon, among others. His contributions in Beirut, both before and after the bombing, demonstrate his deep commitment to his teammates and his profession, leaving an indelible mark on those with whom he served.

SPONSORS

TARGETED: BEIRUT – The first in Jack’s new non-fiction series https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/targeted-beirut/

Bravo Company Manufacturing: Visit us on the web at http://jackcarr.co/bcm and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA.com

SIG: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the legendary SIG SAUER P226. Learn more here - https://jackcarr.co/SIG40thP226

Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here - https://jackcarr.co/gear