Winston Estes Pilcher Folk
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Winston Estes Pilcher Folk was born on 10 November 1901 in Nashville, TN, the son of Tennessee State Treasurer Reau Folk.

Folk graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1923 and became a career naval officer. By the start of World War II, Folk had advanced to Lieutenant Commander. At the Leyte landings, during the 1943 re-taking of the Philippines, he was Executive Officer of the light cruiser USS Birmingham with the rank of Commander. He was wounded by shrapnel and suffered partial hearing loss.

In 1945, Folk 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 1950-54, he was U.S. Military Attaché in London, and he had attained the rank of Rear Admiral by his retirement.

Admiral Folk and his wife, Janet, resided in Old Lyme until his death. Among his other endeavors, he supported conservative political causes and candidates, including Senator Jesse Helms.

Personal

In 1931 he married Pauline Lewis Brown, the daughter of General Lytle Brown. They divorced in 1959 and, in 1971, he married Janet Wolcott Atkins of Old Lyme, CT, the widow of his classmate, Admiral Wallace E. Guitar, and sister of Admiral Barry K. Atkins.

Death and Burial

Rear Admiral Winston Estes Pilcher Folk died on 28 February 1994 in Old Lyme, CT. His body was returned to Nashville and buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson County, TN.