Shawn Wolfe was born on April 26, 1972, in Colquitt, Georgia. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on May 2, 1991, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in June 1991. Amn Wolfe next completed technical training as a ground radio maintenance specialist in January 1992, followed by service as a ground radio maintenance specialist with Detachment 5, 18th Air Support Group, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from January 1992 to May 1995. His next assignment was as a radio systems maintenance journeyman and maintenance support evaluator with the 301st Intelligence Squadron at Misawa AB, Japan, from May 1995 to November 2000, and then as a ground radio maintenance evaluator with the 728th Air Control Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida, from November 2000 to August 2005. During this time he deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch from November 1996 to March 1997. MSgt Wolfe served as NCOIC of the ground communication curriculum development, NCOIC of the Career Field Education and Training Plan, and NCOIC of the training support element with the 81st Training Support Squadron at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, from August 2005 to December 2008, followed by service as NCOIC of the transmissions systems and branch chief of transmission systems with the 51st Communications Squadron at Osan AB, South Korea, from December 2008 to December 2009. He deployed to Iraq during this period, from January to July 2007. His final assignment was as the transmissions systems quality control evaluator and Superintendent of Quality Assurance with the 611th Air Support Squadron of the 611th Air Support Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, from December 2009 until his retirement from the Air Force on December 31, 2012.

His 3rd Meritorious Service Medal Citation reads:

Fro Meritorious Service; 7 December 2009 to 31 December 2012: Master Sergeant Shawn D. Wolfe distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Superintendent, Quality Assurance, 611th Air Support Squadron, 611th Air Support Group, Eleventh Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. During this period, Sergeant Wolfe managed Pacific Air Forces' largest quality assurance program overseeing 80 evaluators across 25 diverse Air Force specialties that provided direct oversight of five contracts valued in excess of 73 million dollars per year. He supervised 33 inpections and his efforts led to 458 findings ensuring strict contractor compliance and an accurate performance assessment of 1.2 million dollars in award fees per year. He authored the quality assurance operating instruction that decreased inspection report processing time by 50 percent and he designed a database that improved tracking of over 500 findings and allowed for detailed root cause and trend analysis. Finally, Sergeant Wolfe managed the travel budget for 112 inspection personnel and his innovative scheduling saved 32,000 dollars in travel costs. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Wolfe culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.