| John Lyle | |
| Birth Date: | 18 November 1920 |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Death Place: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Birth Name: | John Lyle |
| Branch: | United States Army Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1944-1945 |
| Rank: | Flight Officer |
| Unit: | 100th Fighter Squadron 332d Fighter Group |
| Spouse: | Eunice (4th wife) |
| Relations: | 3 step children |
Flight Officer John Lyle (1920 – 2019) was an American 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.[1] He had a lifelong love of sailing and over the course of his life he owned seven different boats. He was nicknamed Captain Jack for his love of sailing.[2]
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.[2] Lyle, named his plane “Natalie” after his first wife. During the war he shot down a German Messerschmitt.[3]
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.[2] 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 also started a tree-trimming company. He had prostate cancer at the end of his life.[1] His wife Eunice said that his dying wish was to sit and watch the waves of Lake Michigan at Jackson Park Harbor Yacht Club.[2] Lyle was married four times and Eunice was his fourth wife.