NOTAM 4-2013 (Lake)

Golden Eagle Emeritus NOTAM

Rear Admiral Julian Strong Lake III USN (Ret)

Dear Golden Eagles,

It is my sad duty to report that RADM Julian Lake, aged 90, made his Last Take-Off on 2 March 2013 at the Homewood Nursing Home in Frederick, Maryland. He had been a resident of Binghamton, New York for twenty-two years until November 2012, when, after the death of his second wife, Lucinda Ann Lake, he moved to Maryland. He is survived by her family, step-father-in-law Cecil F. Popolo, of Endicott, New York, and sister-in-law Lisa Conklin Popolo of New Rochelle, New York. He is also survived by his first wife, Barbara Mae Brooks Dougherty, of Potomac Falls, Virginia, and their children, Julia Ann Lake, Diane Lake Riordan, and Julian Strong Lake IV. He was predeceased by a daughter from his first marriage, Clara Virginia Vadersen. He is beloved by his seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A Memorial Service will be held on March 23, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Binghamton, New York.

Born on June 13, 1922 in South Boston, Virginia to Julian Strong Lake, Jr., and Cary Stebbins Lake, he grew up in Newport News and Paces, Virginia, and attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute before joining the Navy in 1942. He entered flight training and became a night and all-weather fighter pilot flying the F6F-5N with VFN-91 embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). He served in World War II (Pacific Theater), the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In 1960 he commanded VF-74, the Navy’s first F4H Phantom II squadron and subsequently commanded Carrier Air Wing EIGHT on USS Forrestal. His service as Commanding Officer, USS Hassayampa (AO-145) preceeded his assignment as Commanding Officer, USS John F. Kennedy in 1968. His final tour of duty was as Commander, Naval Electronics Systems Command from 1975-1976.

RADM Lake was the recipient of three Air Medals (World War II), the Bronze Star (Vietnam) and the Navy Commendation Medal (Korea). He attended George Washington University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, and graduated from the Naval War College. He accumulated 7,780 hours of flight time in 69 different aircraft models

After retiring from the Navy in 1976, Admiral Lake lived in California for fourteen years. He became the publisher of Countermeasures Magazine and served on the board of directors and as president of the Association of Old Crows, electronic warfare’s professional organization. He also became a consultant for numerous defense contractors, wrote numerous articles and lectured on electronic warfare around the world. He moved to Binghamton, New York where he became active in many community service organizations, including the Binghamton Rotary Club where he was made a Paul Harris Fellow, and he served as a member of the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church.

RADM Lake was one of the early champions for the development and enhancement of Naval Aviation’s electronic warfare capability, and it was because of his effort and commitment that today the Navy is the lead service in the exploitation of electronic attack. A true pioneer and innovator in the development of new capability for the fleet, from early night fighter tactics to new fighters to new weapons, his legacy is one of continuous improvement and dedication to excellence. We have lost another member of the Greatest Generation.

He will be missed.

In sadness,

Fred Lewis-Pilot