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. He had a lifelong love of sailing and in his life he owned seven boats. He was nicknamed Captain Jack for his love of sailing.

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. Lyle, named his plane “Natalie” after his first wife. During the war he shot down a German Messerschmitt.

Awards

 * Congressional Gold Medal 2007

Education
Tuskegee Institute 1944

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. 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 started a tree-trimming company. He had prostate cancer at the end of his life. His wife Eunice said that his dying wish was to sit and watch the waves of Lake Michigan at Jackson Park Harbor Yacht Club. Lyle was married four times and Eunice was his fourth wife.