Pete Wolfe

“I had just graduated from college, started my career, and got engaged when my own draft notice arrived. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. By example, my father encouraged me to step up and he told me that I would have experiences and friendships that I would otherwise miss. I might add that during WWII my grandmother had three sons and a son-in-law serving in the navy. Thankfully, they all returned.”

– Dick Wolfe, Housing and Residence Life

Pete Wolfe, remembered by his son, Dick Wolfe

During WWII, Dick Wolfe’s grandmother had three sons and a son-in-law serving in the Navy.

My father’s brother (my favorite uncle, Carl) was debating whether he should enlist during WWII. He later told my Dad that he finally decided to enlist.

My father, who had three children and was working in a vital defense industry, said that if his brother was going, he would too. After Dad enlisted in the Navy, he went to tell my uncle. The first thing my aunt said was, “Did Carl tell you he was drafted?”

My uncle became a Seabee in the Pacific Theater and my father served on board a U.S. Navy tanker (floating fuel station) and was in Japan when the truce was signed.