John Lyle | |
|---|---|
 John Lyle 1944 | |
| Birth name | John Lyle |
| Born | (1920-11-18)November 18, 1920 |
| Died | January 5, 2019(2019-01-05) (aged 98) |
| Branch | United States Army Air Force |
| Years of service | 1944-1945 |
| Rank | Flight Officer |
| Unit | 100th Fighter Squadron332d Fighter Group |
| Awards | |
| Spouse | Eunice (4th wife) |
| Relations | 3 step children |
Flight OfficerJohn Lyle (1920 – 2019) was an AmericanWorld War II pilot and a member of the famed group ofWorld War II-eraAfrican-Americans known as theTuskegee 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]
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]
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 ofLake Michigan at Jackson Park Harbor Yacht Club.[2] Lyle was married four times and Eunice was his fourth wife.[4]
