George Dudley Wheatley was born April 10, 1909 in Abington Massachusetts; son of Frank G. and Nellie Holbrook Wheatley; he had three brothers, Frank E., Russell, and John R. Wheatley. He graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. From 1914-1917 he was employed by Bay State Nursery, Abington and United Shoe Machinery Co. Boston. In May of 1917 he entered the National Army’s Officer Candidate School at Plattsburg, New York where he was a member of the second class of 1917 (Company 3, 17th Provisional Training Regiment composed of men from New England); commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Officers Reserve Corps in November, promoted to first lieutenant on Nov. 27, and inducted into military service. In 1918, after induction into the U.S. Army he sailed with other officers from New York to Europe on the SS Mongolia. In 5 weeks of February and March he attended the Allied Expeditionary Forces school in Chatillon-sur-Seine, France. Mar 13. Reported to Company A, 165th Infantry at Senneville, France Mar 31. Additional three weeks of training in Baccarat Apr 23. Returned to area near Montigny May 9. Reported to Company B at St. Pole May 30. Left Baccarat, France for the front Jul 14-15. German offensive began Jul 29. First wounded in battle; while recuperating at a nearby military hospital, he was also stricken with influenza (several accounts cite date of wounding as July 28) Aug 21. Reported wounded in action and transferred to an American Red Cross Convalescent Hospital in Biarritz, France, AEF; treated for multiple gunshot wounds in the buttocks and right thigh; reported back to his regiment at La Marche on Sep 26 Sep 26 – Nov 11. Returned to the front when the 42nd Division moved to Verdun as part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive; took Hill 288, La Tiuderie farm and the Cote de Chatillon, and broke squarely across the powerful Kriemhhilde Stelling, clearing the way for the advance beyond Landres et St. Georges; moved through the advancing lines of the forward troops of the First Army and drove the enemy across the Meuse, capturing the heights dominating the river before Sedan and reached the enemy lines, the farthest point attended by any American troops. Nov 11. Learned of Armistice while passing through Buzaucy; stopped at Thenorgnes Nov 14. Started for Germany as part of Army of Occupation, took command of Company L at Landres (relieved of command on Dec 1). Dec 3. Crossed Seine River into Germany 1919, Jan 13. Transferred to 27th Division Jan 16. Reached Paris Feb 28. Sailed for United States from Brest, France Mar 9. Landed at Hoboken, went to Camp Merritt, New Jersey Mar 25. Paraded in New York City Apr 1. Discharged at Camp Devens, Massachusetts Oct-Nov. Resided in Springfield, Vermont for at least several months 1920 Entered the insurance business in Chicago 1921 Married Margaret G. McMillan in Evanston, Illinois: 3 children; Margaret A. (1923), Barbara H. (1925) and James H. (1929) Wheatley 1940 Moved to Abington and became successful in the insurance business and civic affairs 1961 May 20. Died in Abington.
1909-1923