Cdr. John Mason "Jack" Bolton (USN Ret.)

BOLTON, JOHN MASON (1931-2001)

John (Jack) M. Bolton, Cdr. U.S.N. Ret., 70, passed away in Pensacola, FL on November 28, 2001 after a brief illness. Jack lived with his wife, Lillian in Oakton, VA for 15 years.

Commander Bolton was born in Toronto, Ohio. In June 1949, Jack entered the U.S. Navy where he served as an Air Controlman 2nd Class during the Korean War. Following discharge, he attended Kent State University. In 1956, after graduation, Jack reentered the Navy as an Aviation Officer Candidate and received his Navy Wings in June 1958. Commander Bolton served in the Vietnam War as Officer in Charge, Detachment Two of Helicopter Attack Squadron 3 known as "The Seawolves" where he was decorated and received the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, 17 Air Medals, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Civic Action Medal. In 1972, he commissioned and served as first commanding officer of Helicopter Training Squadron 18 at Ellyson Field, Pensacola. After discharge in 1974, he continued to show his support of the Navy by raising funds for the Naval Aviation Museum, where his name appears as a charter member, and The Navy Relief Society. He was a member of the National Helicopter Association and member of the Seawolf Association.

After retirement from the Navy, Commander Bolton was employed for 15 years by Information Spectrum, Inc. in his field of aviation dealing with U.S. foreign military sales.

Jack also loved model aviation. He was the past Editor of "Sam Speaks" and creator and Editor of "The Thermalier". A member of the Society of Antique Modelers, Jack was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. He was a member of the Capital Area Antique Modelers Association in Washington, DC, as well as NW Florida Free Flight Team and Northwest Florida R.C. Modelers. Jack organized two national SAM Champs events in Pensacola as well as his annual "Gathering of the Turkeys" event each October. In 1974, he managed The Air Olympics in Lakehurst, NJ with representatives from many nations attending. Money raised went to the Natl Museum of Naval Aviation. Weekends found Jack flying his models at Site 8 in Pensacola or OLF Holley Field, Navarre.

Survivors include his wife, Lillian of Navarre; son, John Jr. and daughter-in-law Beate of Pensacola; son, Michael, Falls Church, VA; daughter, Amy of Centreville, VA; son, Adam of Portland, OR and Jack's brother, William Walker Bolton of Dade City, FL.

Services will be held December 14 at 10:15 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Navy Relief Society, NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL or The Naval Aviation Museum Pensacola Naval Air Station.