John Wolffe

JOHN H. WOLFFE

U.S. Army 1967–1997

John was born in California in 1947. He is the oldest of four and has two younger brothers and a younger sister. John graduated from Homestead High School in 1967. During his senior year, John received two draft notices. Instead of being drafted, John enlisted into the Army in April 1967.

John attended basic training in August of that year at Fort Bliss, Texas. 11 months after he signed up, John was sent to Vietnam as a chemical warfare specialist. John spent 18 months in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division. It was at this time that John was wounded in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the 18 months were up, John returned to the states where he was stationed at Fort Benning Georgia. During his time at Fort Benning, John worked as a CBR NCO for the 91st Infantry Brigade, Headquarters Company and was sent to Los Angles, California for riot control in November 1969. Once he got back to Fort Benning, John and his team enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving dinner.

In January 1970, John got orders to go to Germany, along the West German border at the Iron Curtain. John returned to the states in August 1970 on the G.I. Bill. He moved to Walla Walla where he attended International Barber College in Pasco. A year later, John moved to Wenatchee and attended Wenatchee Valley College to study forestry. John eventually got a Bachelor’s Degree from Evergreen State College in 1976 where he worked for the U.S. Forest Service.

In 1982, John once again returned to the Army and joined the Army Reserves, where he drove semi-trucks hauling fuel and ammo from Yakima.

John retired from the Army altogether in 1999. He now lives with his significant other and has two stepdaughters and seven grandkids.

John’s story was proudly submitted by his grandson Chase Coleman.