Commander James David Wolf (call sign "Red Dog" - USN Retired) age 86, of Gilroy,
California passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 at St. Louise Hospital at approximately
15:27 hours attended by his wife Marian and one of his five sons. James was born in
North Canton, Ohio February 17, 1927 and attended North Canton High School and later
Bowling Green State University where he lettered in swimming. He sometimes cut
school and rode freight trains from Ohio to Illinois and elsewhere. For this the school
administrators did not issue discipline. (James claimed, without dispute, a relation to
Olympic swimmer and film star Johnny (born Peter) Weissmuller, although it is reported
that his mother's Swiss heritage derived from the Canton of Bern played a much stronger
influence in his life.)
James first joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 as an enlisted man, did his basic training in
Illinois and reportedly served stateside as a tower operator at a Naval air station (lucky
for us). James obtained his pilot's license before he could legally operate an automobile.
He left active Navy duty in 1949 to attend college at Bowling Green (still in the reserves
according to him) and was commissioned upon completion of Naval Flight School in
April of 1953, heading for deployment in Korea. James flew with Navy fighter squadron
VF 53 and was an officer in Carrier Air Group 5's staff, where he also served as a
landing signal officer (LSO) with and for his fellow naval aviators. According to those
who knew James, he did not lose a single aviator for whom he served as LSO, a.k.a.
"paddles."
During his Navy career, James qualified in various aircraft including the venerable SNJ
trainer, the WW II battle tested F6F Hellcat (which he called the "housecat"), the F8F
Bearcat still considered one of the fastest propeller driven aircraft of the era (see, e.g.,
Reno Air Races), the F9F-2 Panther an early subsonic jet, another sexy subsonic jet the
FJ3 Fury (see, Air Force F86), and three versions of the AD Skyraider (a.k.a. the Spad;
see also, Flight of the Intruder). (The AD "quals." were not widely known to any of us.)
In the late 1950's and/or very early 1960's James instructed new Naval aviators on the
fine points of instrument navigation based at Pensacola Naval Air Station with the
comparatively comfortable use of a twin engine, tail dragging Beechcraft – they got to go
anywhere! In addition to these, James qualified in the P3 Orion (but we can't tell you
about that) and the P2V Neptune, both of which are Navy patrol aircraft still used in antisubmarine
warfare (ASW), fire fighting, and other capacities. As the squadron
maintenance officer for VP 49, James helped his team earn the "wrenches award" for
reliability. He also served as the VP 49 "crew 2 tactical officer." It was the Navy –
everyone had at least two jobs!
James' aircraft carrier duty included training aboard the USS Monterey and USS
Rendova and multiple deployments on board the USS Bon Homme Richard, USS
Kearsarge, and USS Philippine Sea with VF 53 and CAG5, working closely with VF 51.

Some years later James deployed on board the USS Coral Sea where he served as an Air
Wing Weapons Officer and later the ship's Safety Officer. According to him, he was the
first billeted aircraft carrier "Safety Officer" in the fleet. We think it's safe to say. In the
latter role, James was promoted from Lieutenant Commander to Commander.
Immediately before retirement, James commanded an ASW training department at
Moffett Field located in the famous Hanger One.
For many years James was an active member of the Tailhook Association (an
independent, nonprofit organization internationally recognized as the premier supporter
of aircraft carrier and other sea-based aviation). James was able to attend the Tailhook
reunion in Reno just weeks before 9-11 and reconnect with friends mainly from VF 51.
(The term "tailhook" refers to the unique equipment used in conjunction with the
enormous flight deck cables (arresting wires) that stop aircraft upon landing on the deck
of an aircraft carrier at sea.)
While pursuing his Naval career, James qualified for the Vietnam Service Medal (5
Awards), the Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), the
Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal (2 Awards), the
National Defense Service Medal (2 Awards), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), the American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory
Medal, the China Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service
Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. James retired from active duty in October
1972.
James married his first wife Carolyn Campbell in 1953 and they had 3 sons John, David,
and Stephen. James and Carolyn divorced in 1973. In 1977, James moved to Groveland,
California where he built a house, met and ten years later married his second wife,
Marian Carson. Marian and James have two sons Theodore Steven Wolf and Maxwell
Carson Wolf. They relocated from Groveland to Gilroy in 2011 to be near extended
family.
During his post-military years, James was very active and connected to his community at
Pine Mountain Lake (PML). His many hobbies included flying, antique truck and car
restoration, woodwork, metalwork, masonry, skiing, bar tending at the slopes, bicycling,
bird watching, travel, and aviation. He was an active member of the PML Airport
Association until 1996 and enjoyed refurbishing and flying unique single engine aircraft.
James was fascinated with antique cars and trucks - restoring two Model "T's" and
relentlessly scouting parts and preparing his 2.5 ton 1926 Mack truck for eventual full
restoration.
Surviving James are his wife of 26 years, Marian Carson Wolf of Gilroy, his ex-wife
Carolyn Campbell Wolf of Dublin, sons from his first marriage: David Wolf of Oakland,
Stephen Wolf of Alamo, and John Wolf of Pleasanton and sons from his second
marriage: Theodore and Maxwell Wolf of Gilroy as well as grandchildren: Ben and
Hannah Wolf of Oakland and Caroline, Christian, and Carson Wolf of Alamo. His sister

Ann Wolf of North Canton (Ann sends condolences and is not up to the trip to California
as reported by nephew David.) In addition to these, there are many brothers-in-law,
sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
James will be remembered by those closest to him for the twinkle in his eyes, the
mischief in his mind, the kindness in his heart, his enduring love for his family and his
fondness for all things mechanical. He was also known for making goofy faces, singing
funny songs, spontaneously singing the Marine Corps Hymn, telling funny stories,
practicing a little bit of watercolor and oil painting, and being "all Navy" in his younger
years. May James fly high in heaven without the burdens of a body that would no longer
do his bidding.
A full military burial will take place on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at Santa
Nella National Cemetery with an informal breakfast reception to follow at Anderson's
restaurant also in Santa Nella.
Contributions in James' honor may be made to: The Wounded Warriors Foundation
and/or the Alzheimer's Association.