Alexander Gordon Lyle

Alexander Gordon Lyle (November 12, 1889 – July 15, 1955) 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 three dental officers to have received the medal, the others being Weedon Osborne and Ben L. Salomon.[1][2]

"Alexander Lyle" redirects here. For other uses, see Alexander Lyle (disambiguation).
Alexander Gordon Lyle
Alexander Lyle, Medal of Honor recipient
Born(1889-11-12)November 12, 1889
Gloucester, Massachusetts, US
DiedJuly 15, 1955(1955-07-15) (aged 65)
Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US
Place of burial
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1915–1948
Rank Vice Admiral
UnitNavy Dental Corps
5th Marine Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsMedal of Honor
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit
Navy Commendation Medal

Biography

Lyle was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on November 12, 1889.[3] 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 three 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.[3]

He died July 15, 1955, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and is buried with his wife Ruth Haire Lyle (1894–1963) at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.[4]

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.

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.[3]

See also

References
Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 68: 168. 1964. ISSN 0002-8177. OCLC 1777821. During the 100 years that officers have been eligible, two dental officers have been awarded the Medal: Alexander Gordan Lyle and ... {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. William T. Bowers. "Ben Salomon". Medal of Honor recipients: United States Army Medical Department. Office of Medical History, Office of the Surgeon General. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
  3. "Lyle, Alexander G." Army of Medal of Honor website. 2009-08-03. Archived from the original on 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  4. "Burial Detail: Lyle, Alexander G. (Section 2, Grave 1114-1-2)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
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