posted 01-08-2009 01:36 PM               

Splashdown: The Rescue of a Navy Frogman

John Wolfram was the first face that Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins saw after they returned from the moon. With the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing approaching, John Wolfram takes us on a journey of what it's like to be in the Navy's elite Special Forces trained in spacecraft recovery in his new book release titled, "Splashdown: The Rescue of a Navy Frogman".

Entry Way Publishing announces the release of John Wolfram's "Splashdown: The Rescue of a Navy Frogman" (paperback, ISBN 978-0-9793944-1-6) in time for the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing. After a childhood plagued by divorce, crushing disappointments, and the seduction of the late '60s hippie culture, Wolfram leapt into the choppy Pacific Ocean to rescue Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Always the maverick -- and still a hippie at heart -- Wolfram greeted the astronauts with flower decals pasted on the front of his wetsuit.

John Wolfram tells his amazing story as a member of the famed US Navy UDT/SEALs, taking us back in time to 1967 where it all began, into the water and into battle on some of the most hair-raising missions ever assigned.

Wolfram grew up poor as a child in Wisconsin, constantly fearing that his friends would come to his home to witness the poor living conditions he had to bare growing up. Memories still stick in his head of springs sticking out of the torn sofa and no heat in the winter. Even though living conditions were tough it did not discourage him. In fact, it made him stronger and more determined to achieve his dreams. Though he dropped out of sports and grew his hair long, Wolfram quotes, "My desire to rebel was exceeded only by my desire to achieve."

Following his graduation, Wolfram enlisted into the Navy where he qualified for the Navy's elite and trained to become a UDT/SEAL. Demonstrating his outstanding capabilities, Wolfram was able to rise through the chain of command within the UDT-11 and become one of the few experts at spacecraft recovery.

After completing training, Wolfram became a member of the Navy's elite Special Forces. As a member of the UDT-11, Wolfram was trained to a 'fine fighting edge' just in time for the war in Vietnam. Wolfram was deployed twice to Vietnam -- and earned a Purple Heart for a leg wound inflicted during a battle with the Viet Cong.

After surviving a particularly bewildering period of history, dealing with the intense pressures and stresses of his career, Wolfram fell into a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol. While hallucinating on LSD in a Vietnam hotel, he escaped the horrors of suicide after hearing a familiar voice -- the one that had spoken to him once before as a child.

When asked the question, what do you want readers to get out of his book, among other things? His reply was "to realize someone is out there, urging us to try, to take the risk, to brave the danger, and standing ready to reveal Himself as our savior."

With the help of faith that never left his side, Wolfram shares his personal experience of enduring BUD/S training, surviving Hell Week, as well as the living hell of war, overcoming drug addiction, and rescuing the Apollo 11 astronauts from the sea. Splashdown, a page-turner with substance, takes readers down a path of self-discovery that is amazingly familiar. Nevertheless, behind the illustrious military war hero who was a remarkable Navy frogman trained to rescue others, Wolfram found himself in dire need of rescue.

About the author:

John Wolfram is happily married and is involved in active ministry, as he has devoted his life to spreading the word of the Lord, empowering thousands of Christians worldwide. Wolfram's Christian journey has led him back to Vietnam among those whom he fought to lead to Jesus. Wolfram runs a wide range of domestic and international evangelism ministries. He has spoken at numerous evangelistic events over the years and has created a positive impact on many lives. He has been widely recognized by the media for his efforts in helping others. Through the usage of print, television, telephone, radio, and the Internet Wolfram is making a difference in countless lives each day.

posted 01-08-2009 11:41 PM               

On July 20, 1969 America did the impossible. Astronaut Armstrong's left boot sank into the charcoal-like lunar powder as the citizens of Earth held their breath in wonder. They listened in awe as his words resounded through space and time. "That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind." Four days later, in the midst of the media's frenzied activity aboard the USS Hornet, the space capsule Columbia burned through the earth's atmosphere and splashed down into the Pacific Ocean.

UDT/SEAL John Wolfram, a member of the Navy's elite Special Forces and trained in spacecraft recovery, leaped from a Sea King Helicopter into the waves of the Pacific Ocean to become the first person on Earth to greet the astronauts. Despite a difficult childhood, plagued with crushing disappointments and multiple brushes with death, Wolfram dared to reach past his limit.

His firsthand experiences are intricately woven into a fascinating period of America's history. Journey with him as he recounts Basic Underwater Demolition Training, the living hell known as the Vietnam War, and the rescue of the Apollo 11 astronauts from the sea.

"Splashdown: The Rescue of a Navy Frogman" is an inspiration to all who strive to achieve the impossible and is a remarkable challenge to those who seek inner strength.

• Paperback: 272 pages
  
• Entry Way Publishing (2009)
  
• ISBN-13: 978-0-9793944-1-6

posted 07-30-2022 10:19 AM               

I'm reading "Splashdown" right now (well not at this exact moment) and I think it's absolutely wonderful. In July 1969, John Wolfram was only 20 years old and just two years out of high school and yet he had such a pivotal role to play in the recovery of Apollo 11. Amazing.