In memory of Master Sergeant Josh Wheeler

(11/22/1975–10/22/2015)
​

Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler was a United States Army Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (aka Delta Force) Master Sergeant. A veteran of 14 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Wheeler earned four Bronze Stars with the letter V (awarded for valor in combat) and seven Bronze Stars (awarded for heroic or meritorious service in a combat zones). He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

He served in the single most elite unit the U.S. has to offer, and he truly is one of the best of the best. His sacrifices are endless and certainly unfathomable to most. Not only was he a exemplary Soldier but also a husband, a father of four, and a local to our hometown of Southern Pines. 

​On Oct 22, 2015 Master Sergeant Josh Wheeler was killed in action while saving over 70 innocent captives from Islamic State militants. The New York Times reported:

"When Kurdish commandos went on a helicopter raid to rescue about 70 hostages who were about to be executed by Islamic State militants, the plan called for the Americans who accompanied them to offer support, not join in the action... But then the Kurdish attack on the prison where the hostages were held stalled, and Sergeant Wheeler responded. “He ran to the sound of the guns.” ... The Kurdish fighters, known as pesh merga, tried to blast a hole in the compound’s outer wall, but could not. Sergeant Wheeler and another American, part of a team of 10 to 20 Delta Force operators who were present, ran up to the wall, breached it with explosives, and were the first ones through the hole." 

What can you do? Bid on Original G.I.Joe art or donate via GoFundMe!

Ron Rudat, Kirk Bozigian and I are selling some original G.I.Joe art to raise funds for the family. I challenge other Joe fans to sell something of value and donate the proceedings to help this family. If you do auction items, contact me and I'll add them to this page. 100% of ALL proceeds go to Master Sergeant Josh Wheeler's family. The local CrossFit is also fundraising for Master Sergeant Wheeler's family as well. You can donate to their GoFundMe campaign here. ​

Auction #3: 1988 Shockwave presentation art

Auction #5: animation cell
​featuring Ambush and Capt. Grid-Iron

Auction #4: 1986 A.V.A.C. color study

Auction #6: animation cell 
​featuring Storm Shadow v3

Completed auctions:


​Auction #1: Original G.I.Joe Eels art art

The back story on this art: 
I visited Ron Rudat in December of 2014 to conduct an interview for 3DJoes. While there flipping through art and listening to stories about how and why each character was made, I fell in love with several pieces. I ended up buying all of the Snow Serpent and Eels pieces he had. 

What's included?
- ORIGINAL Ron Rudat Eels sketch with red markup by Kirk Bozigian (one of a kind!!!)
- Color copy of presentation art shown to Managment to get approval to go forward with figure sculpting.
- B&W copy of Figure Reference System with original Pantone color tabs (this sheet detailed what color plastics to use, what spray ops were to be applied, and where pad prints were to be applies (for logos and patches). 
- ORIGINAL Marvel Priductions, LTD. / Sunbow animation cell, hand painted as a character reference guide (one of a kind!!!) signed by Ron
- if you'd like, I can include Ron's photo addressed to me, and I can get Ron to mail you a letter outlining all included items as a COA of sorts. 

Why I'm selling these pieces: 
I have decided to let my Eels art go in honor of a REAL American hero, Master Sergeant Josh Wheeler. All proceeds go to Master Sergeant Josh Wheeler's family.

Auction #2: Die-Cast G.I.Joe ​vehicles

Picture
All four die-cast vehicles purchased mint on card, opened with a razor, documented for 3DJoes, and then put back in packaging. You won't find more mint die-cast vehicles without buying sealed! ​