"The first Navy Veterans' Organization created on, and for, the World Wide Web."  Founder Edward C. Reese, NCCS, USN, Retired Currently serving as a Master Chief New York Naval Guard NAVEtSUSA Jim Wheeler
Jim Wheeler	Plank Owner Member in good standing NAVetsUSA Jim Wheeler Nicknames:  Diesel, Wheels, Jimbo Bootcamp:  Great Lakes Training in Damage Control:  Philadelphia Duty Station:  Groton C Naval Submarine Support Facility USS BARBEY, San Diego, CA

UPDATE September 2006/RE:
James M. Wheeler, PO/HT2/US Navy 1981-1985:

In May 2006, a 16 year journey through the VA system ended; benefits were granted to Jim's widow. I was able to PROVE to the government with evidence submitted over the years and our last statement/evidence dated March 2006 that his death was military connected due to his duty in Groton CT for 15 months in 1982/1983. Repairing and maintaining nuclear submarines both on the submarines and in the repair shop exposed him to low level ionizing radiation and radioactive materials which caused his fatal illness: acute lymphocytic leukemia. He was 27 when he passed away in 1989. There is not a day goes by that I, his Mom, do not think of him. The love stays and memories of the heart are forever.

Through www.navetsusa.com and my prior post (below), a retired Naval HT Chief contacted me with some information which I could submit as additional evidence with our last statement to the Board of Veterans Appeals. Thank you, Ed, for your help and this website. Jim's Mom
 

Jim passed away in November 1989 at the age of 27 from acute lymphocytic leukemia.  In the last three weeks of his life, he told us he had been exposed to ionizing radiation while he was stationed at the nuclear submarine base in Groton CT.  I am looking for anyone who would have been stationed and worked with him at Groton (2/82-5/83) or the USS BARBEY:  IN GROTON, He worked ot the Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF), lower base  (a restricted area) as a shipfitter/welder on nuclear submarines and related  components.  Industrial Radiography would have been used to make sure there  were good welds.  His work areas were in Building 478, R-1, X11A, Section 2.  Sub Section 2 included the following nuclear subs at that time:  1)  USS  SCAMP (SSN588); 2)  USS SNOOK (SSN592); 3) USS SHARK (SSN591; 4) USS  TULLIBEE (SSN597); 5)  NR-1; AND 6) several precommissioning units under > construction at Electric Boat Corp.  From Groton, he was transferred to the  USS BARBEY's Engineering Spaces.

 If anyone worked with Jim at either duty station, please contact me.  It  would be greatly appreciated.  I have been dealing with the government for 15 years due to the cause of his death.  Thank you in advance for any  support you can give.
Joanne Wheeler
Jim's Mom
condo@tiac.net

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