DRACON, DURING HIS NAVY CAREER
DRACON’S NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL
ulian Dracon was born in 1933. After graduating from high school in Billings, Montana, he enlisted in the Navy in 1950. Over the duration of his military career, he travelled the world, living in Hawaii and Japan. While in the Navy he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado in 1975.
Early in Julian’s naval career, he met his future wife, Betty. After a three-year, long-distance courtship, Julian and Betty were married in 1955. They raised three children while stationed at numerous posts, eventually settling in the Denver area. After 26 years of service, Dracon retired with the rank of Master Chief, Lithographer. He stayed active in veterans’ organizations, and founded the Navy Lithographers Association. He also created Jiffy Reproduction and Duplicating, operating it for 42 years.
Dracon’s family donated his Navy Commendation Medal for inclusion into the metal that was used in casting the Honor Bell.