US Navy Admiral. The son of Tennessee State Treasurer Reau Folk, he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1923 and became a career officer. In 1931 he married Pauline Lewis Brown, the daughter of General Lytle Brown. Folk had advanced to Lieutenant Commander at the start of World War II. At the Leyte landings during the 1943 retaking of the Philippines he was Executive Officer of the light cruiser USS Birmingham with the rank of Commander, was wounded by shrapnel and suffered partial hearing loss. In 1945 he participated in the capture of Okinawa as commander of USS Woodford, an attack cargo ship. Promoted to Captain, his post-war assignments included Deputy Director of Civil Relations. From 1950 to 1954 he was US Military Attaché in London, and he had attained the rank of Rear Admiral by his retirement. He was divorced in 1959, and in 1971 married Janet Wolcott Atkins of Old Lyme, Connecticut, the widow of his classmate Admiral Wallace E. Guitar and sister of Admiral Barry K. Atkins. Admiral Folk resided in Old Lyme until his death, and among his other endeavors supported conservative political causes and candidates, including Senator Jesse Helms.
US Navy Admiral. The son of Tennessee State Treasurer Reau Folk, he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1923 and became a career officer. In 1931 he married Pauline Lewis Brown, the daughter of General Lytle Brown. Folk had advanced to Lieutenant Commander at the start of World War II. At the Leyte landings during the 1943 retaking of the Philippines he was Executive Officer of the light cruiser USS Birmingham with the rank of Commander, was wounded by shrapnel and suffered partial hearing loss. In 1945 he participated in the capture of Okinawa as commander of USS Woodford, an attack cargo ship. Promoted to Captain, his post-war assignments included Deputy Director of Civil Relations. From 1950 to 1954 he was US Military Attaché in London, and he had attained the rank of Rear Admiral by his retirement. He was divorced in 1959, and in 1971 married Janet Wolcott Atkins of Old Lyme, Connecticut, the widow of his classmate Admiral Wallace E. Guitar and sister of Admiral Barry K. Atkins. Admiral Folk resided in Old Lyme until his death, and among his other endeavors supported conservative political causes and candidates, including Senator Jesse Helms.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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