John Lyle (pilot)

Flight Officer John Lyle (1920-2019) from Bronx, New York, was World War II pilot and a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Dickson flew 26 combat missions during WWII.[1] He had a lifelong love of sailing and over the course of his life he owned seven different boats. He was nicknamed Captain Jack for his love of sailing.[2]

Flight Officer

John Lyle
John Lyle 1944
Birth nameJohn Lyle
Born(1920-11-18)November 18, 1920
Chicago, Illinois
DiedJanuary 5, 2019(2019-01-05) (aged 98)
Chicago, Illinois
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1944-1945
RankFlight Officer
Unit100th Fighter Squadron 332d Fighter Group
Awards
Spouse(s)Eunice (4th wife)
Relations3 step children

Military service

Lyle graduated from Englewood High School on chicago's Southside and in 1943 joined the military. He did not want to be a foot soldier so he pursued flying. After graduating from the Tuskegee Institute as a Flight Officer he was assigned to the European theatre. He flew 26 combat missions over Italy, Austria and Germany.[2] Lyle, named his plane “Natalie” after his first wife. During the war he shot down a German Messerschmitt.[3]

I was shot at several times as part of a formation. I watched bombers being torn apart, but they were performing the mission they signed up to do,” Mr. Lyle told Jet. “And when I had to shoot the guy who was shooting at the planes I was protecting, I did not feel bad because that was my assignment.[4]

–John Lyle

Awards
The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]

Education

Tuskegee Institute 1944[6]

Personal life

Lyle was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. He graduated from Englewood High School and in 1943 joined the military. He did not want to be a foot soldier so he pursued flying.[2] Lyle married Eunice and was a stepfather to her 3 children. After the war, he became a police officer with the Chicago Park District and also started a tree-trimming company. He had prostate cancer at the end of his life.[1] His wife Eunice said that his dying wish was to sit and watch the waves of Lake Michigan at Jackson Park Harbor Yacht Club.[2] Lyle was married four times and Eunice was his fourth wife.[4]

See also

Executive Order 9981

References
  1. "Tuskegee Airman John 'Jack' Lyle dead at 98". airforcetimes.com. Associated Press. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  2. Bowean, Lolly (January 7, 2019). "'Captain Jack' Lyle, South Side native and one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen dies at 98". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  3. "John Lyle, 98, Tuskegee Airman". The Philadelphia Tribune. January 7, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  4. O'Donnell, Maureen (January 7, 2019). "John 'Jack' Lyle, one of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, dies at 98". The Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  5. Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  6. "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Listing". tuskegee.edu. Tuskegee University. Retrieved December 9, 2019.

Notes
  1. The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[5]
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