On the occasion of his 80th birthday (July 2003), the children of LtCol Joe Lyle, Jr., USAF (Ret) honor their father by celebrating his distinguished career as a U.S. Air Force aviator.

LtCol Lyle served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II as a radio operator gunner on a Landing Ship Tank (LST 886), participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

In 1948 he joined the Air Force. During his 22-year career with the USAF he transitioned from propeller-driven aircraft to jet-powered aircraft. He flew the F-89 Scorpion and the F-101 VooDoo in the Air Defense Command, serving in Alaska, the United States, and Europe.

In 1968 he transitioned to helicopters. He served in the 40th Aerospace Recovery Rescue Squadron flying out of Nakhon Phanom, Thailand in 1969-70, and was Squadron Commander at the end of his tour. During his tour in Southeast Asia, LtCol Lyle received the Silver Star.

LtCol Lyle retired from the USAF in 1970. His family, Jeanne (deceased), Joseph, William and Penelope are proud of his contributions to the development and advancement of American aviation, and to the defense of the United States of America.