John Deming Wolf papers on UTS in WWII, 1940 -- 1942

Creator:
Wolf, John D (John Deming)
Abstract:
John Deming Wolf was a UTS graduate (1942) and Methodist chaplain. The collection contains material compiled by Wolf related to UTS students who conscientiously objected to registration for conscription during WWII, including newsclippings and photographs, pamphlets, and other related documents, including "Information in Regard to Registration at the Seminary under the Selective Training and Service Act," court proceedings, and a signed statement by the students.
Extent:
0.25 linear feet 0.25 linear feet; 1 box
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains material compiled by John Deming Wolf related to UTS students who conscientiously objected to registration for conscription during WWII, including newsclippings and photographs, pamphlets (including a UTS-published Manual of Air Raid Defense), and other related documents, including "Information in Regard to Registration at the Seminary under the Selective Training and Service Act," court proceedings, and a signed statement by the students.

Biographical / historical:

John Deming Wolf was born on September 29, 1918 in Kansas City, MO. His father worked for the YMCA, training soldiers for WWI. Wolf grew up in Great Falls, Montana and Pocatello, Idaho, and attended Idaho State and George Williams College before graduating from Oberlin College in 1939. He received a divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1942, and was ordained on June 21, 1942. In 1941, he married Carolyn Kelsey. Wolf joined up as the youngest Chaplin in the US Navy during WWII; his combat medals include Salerno, Italy and the Pacific Campaign where he was awarded a Bronze Star at Iwo Jima. Following the War, he joined the Indiana Conference of the Methodist Church, and held appointments at churches in Vevey, Evansville, Martinsville, South Bend, Hammond, Ft. Wayne and Valparaiso, Indiana. He received an honorary Doctorate from DePauw University in 1964, where he also served as Trustee. In retirement, he was chair of the Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, and also published his real-time war diary "Amen till Tomorrow." In 2003, Wolf received the "Sagamore of the Wabash" from Indiana Governor Kernan, for his efforts in social justice. Wolf died in Valparaiso, Indiana on January 9, 2019 at age 100.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Onsite storage.

Terms of access:

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Preferred citation:

Item description, UTS1: John Deming Wolf papers on UTS in WWII, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
Burke Home Page
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