Alexander Gordon Lyle
Encyclopedia
Alexander Gordon Lyle was an officer in the United States Navy
who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during World War I
. He is one of only two dental officers to have received the medal.
on November 12, 1889. After graduating High School he went to Baltimore College, graduating in 1912 with a degree in dentistry. He accepted a commission in the Navy as a Lieutenant (junior grade) in 1915 while living in Massachusetts
and retired August 1, 1948 at the rank of Vice Admiral
.
Lyle was serving as a dental officer with the 5th Regiment of the United States Marine Corps
on the French front during World War I. On April 23, 1918 he risked his life to rescue a corporal who had been seriously wounded during heavy shellfire. He saved the corporal's life by treating his wounds using surgical aid and became one of only two dental officers in history to receive the Medal of Honor. At the time of the award the Navy still had two different versions of the Medal of Honor, one for combat operations and one for noncombat operations. For his actions saving the corporal's life Lyle received the combat version of the Medal, known as the Tiffany Cross.
He died July 15, 1955 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 2, lot 1114-1. His wife Ruth Haire Lyle was buried with him when she died in 1963.
Vice Admiral Lyle's medal can be seen on display at the National Naval Medical Center
, Bethesda, Maryland
. In addition to the Medal of Honor Lyle also received the Legion of Merit
, the Silver Star
(with palms) and the Italian War Cross.
Citation:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He is one of only two dental officers to have received the medal.
Biography
Lyle was born in Gloucester, MassachusettsGloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of Massachusetts' North Shore. The population was 28,789 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
on November 12, 1889. After graduating High School he went to Baltimore College, graduating in 1912 with a degree in dentistry. He accepted a commission in the Navy as a Lieutenant (junior grade) in 1915 while living in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and retired August 1, 1948 at the rank of Vice Admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
.
Lyle was serving as a dental officer with the 5th Regiment of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
on the French front during World War I. On April 23, 1918 he risked his life to rescue a corporal who had been seriously wounded during heavy shellfire. He saved the corporal's life by treating his wounds using surgical aid and became one of only two dental officers in history to receive the Medal of Honor. At the time of the award the Navy still had two different versions of the Medal of Honor, one for combat operations and one for noncombat operations. For his actions saving the corporal's life Lyle received the combat version of the Medal, known as the Tiffany Cross.
He died July 15, 1955 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Portsmouth is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 17,389 at the 2010 U.S. Census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck...
and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 2, lot 1114-1. His wife Ruth Haire Lyle was buried with him when she died in 1963.
Vice Admiral Lyle's medal can be seen on display at the National Naval Medical Center
National Naval Medical Center
The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, USA — commonly known as the Bethesda Naval Hospital — was for decades the flagship of the United States Navy's system of medical centers. A federal institution, it conducted medical and dental research as well as providing health care for...
, Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
. In addition to the Medal of Honor Lyle also received the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
(with palms) and the Italian War Cross.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander (Dental Corps), U.S. Navy. Born: November 12, 1889, Gloucester, Mass. Appointed from: Massachusetts. Other Navy award: Legion of Merit.Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps. Under heavy shellfire, on April 23, 1918, on the French Front, Lt. Comdr. Lyle rushed to the assistance of Cpl. Thomas Regan, who was seriously wounded, and administered such effective surgical aid while bombardment was still continuing, as to save the life of Cpl. Regan.
See also
- Weedon OsborneWeedon OsborneWeedon Edward Osborne was a United States Navy officer and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War I.-Biography:...
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I