Born in Kansas City, Missouri on 1 August 1919, to Fred Sr. and Lena Lake. Older siblings John and Mary.

Attended Ben Blewitt High School and the University of Kansas.

Entered the service in December 1940 as an aviation cadet, and trained at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Commissioned second lieutenant in Marine Corps Reserve on 25 July 1941. Retained as an instructor; in late 1941, transferred to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas.

Served on staff of NAS Corpus Christi for all of 1942 and into 1943, during which time he was promoted in rank to captain. In April 1943, assigned as a pilot to VMSB-236, a scout-bombing squadron, and deployed to the Pacific. Promoted to rank of Major on 21 May 1943, with additional duties as flight officer.

Arrived Henderson Field, Guadalcanal 5 September 1943 to commence combat tour.

On 11 October 1943, VMSB-236 was assigned to strike targets near Kahili Airfield on Bougainville. Major Lake and his gunner, PFC Dugald L. Quiner, Jr., cleared Henderson Field at 0701 and began climbing to take their place in the formation.

Barely ten minutes later, as Major Lake attempted to gain altitute in a climbing turn, his SBD collided with the bomber flown by Captain Amos Belknap. Belknap’s propeller cut Lake’s bomber in half just aft of PFC Quiner’s guns. The wrecked bomber dropped like a stone, cartwheeling as it hit the water about five miles off Lunga Point. Belknap made a water landing nearby.

The USS Parks hurried over to the scene, where they rescued Captain Belknap and Corporal James A. Graham. The only trace of Lake and Quiner was the major’s first aid kit and a single glove floating on the water.

Lake and Quiner were both declared dead the day of the mission. News was delivered to Major Lake’s father, Fred Senior, at 21 Crestmoor Drive, Denver, Colorado.

CENOTAPHS
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial