Walter Wheeler Jr.

 

Walter H. Wheeler Jr. was an American businessperson and sailor.

Wheeler was born in New York in 1897. In 1918, at the age of 19, he earned the Croix de Guerre with the U.S. Ambulance Corps in Paris. A year later, he received the Navy Cross for service as a submarine chaser. At Harvard University, he led the football team as captain. During WWII, he worked in various roles with the War Production Board.

Wheeler joined Pitney-Bowes in 1919 and served as its president from 1938 to 1960. He later became chairman, a role he held until his retirement in 1973. Under his tenure, the company achieved revenues of $384.9 million by 1973. He oversaw the introduction of the first mass-market postage meter, and developments in mail processing equipment adopted by the United States Postal Service. He also held positions as honorary chairman and director emeritus.

As a sailor, Wheeler navigated his yawl, Cotton Blossom IV, across the Atlantic. He held memberships in several organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Wheeler died on December 11, 1974.