Alexander Gordon Lyle
| Alexander Gordon Lyle | |
|---|---|
Alexander Lyle, Medal of Honor recipient
|
|
| Born |
November 12, 1889 Gloucester, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 15, 1955 (aged 65) Portsmouth, Rhode Island |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1915–1948 |
| Rank |
 Vice Admiral
|
| Unit |
Navy Dental Corps 5th Marine Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Navy Commendation Medal |
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.
Lyle was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts 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 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.
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.
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