Family, Oklahoma Community Honor Master Sgt. Joshua Wheeler

The Sequoyah County community of Roland honored Master Sgt. Joshua Wheeler on Thursday near a monument where his name is engraved in stone.

During a special ceremony, KFSM, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith reported nearly 200 balloons were released to remember Wheeler who was killed in Iraq on October 23.   

"He was a soldier, but I didn't realize he had all of these accomplishments, all these achievements – it just blows my mind. He’s an American hero,” his brother, Zack Wheeler said.

Wheeler died during a U.S. Special Forces operation to free about 70 prisoners who were about to be executed.

10/23/2015 Related Story: Oklahoma Soldier Killed In Iraq

“That’s just how Josh was,” Zack said. “He just wanted to take care of people.”

Joshua Wheeler is survived by his grandparents, five siblings, his wife and four sons.  The family said Wheeler will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A date for the funeral has not yet been set.