Is it possible that he was in that house for some time when he bug-bombed it, was poisoned therein, then became increasingly disoriented as he was seen in these various places, finally to the point where he crawled into this dumpster and died?
It does seem to fit at least the initial lines.
This is interesting but troubling - Had not heard any of this about Jack Wheeler
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-14/john-wheelers-death-his-vietnam-demons/