Richard Lyon (naval officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Lyon
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Richard Lyon in 1975
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| Nickname(s) | Dick |
| Born | July 14, 1923 Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 3, 2017 (aged 93) Oceanside, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1983 (41 years) |
| Rank |  Rear admiral |
| Commands held | Deputy Chief, Navy Reserve UDT Team 5 |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Commendation Medal Combat Action Ribbon |
| Other work | Mayor, Trustee |
Richard "Dick" Lyon (born July 14, 1923 – died February 3, 2017) was an important person in the United States Navy. He became an admiral, which is a very high rank. Later in his life, he also served as the mayor of Oceanside, California.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Richard Lyon was born in Pasadena, California. He went to high school there with his friend, the famous baseball player Jackie Robinson.
When he was young, Dick was a talented swimmer. He was even chosen to be on the United States Olympic swim team for the 1940 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. However, those Olympic Games were canceled because World War II had started.
Lyon went to Yale University and graduated in 1944. He was the captain of the Yale swimming team, and they had a perfect season, winning all 10 of their meets. Later, he earned a master's degree from Stanford University in 1953.
Dick Lyon joined the United States Navy in October 1944. He became a Navy Scout and Raider during the Pacific War. This means he was part of a special team that went behind enemy lines. He also worked as an Intelligence Officer in China, gathering important information.
He left active duty in 1946 but stayed in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1951, he returned to active duty and helped create Underwater Demolition Team Five (UDT 5). UDT teams were early versions of today's Navy SEALs, doing dangerous missions underwater. He served in the Korean War until 1952.
A Special Admiral
In July 1974, Dick Lyon made history. He became the first admiral from the Naval Special Warfare community. This community includes special forces like the UDTs and SEALs.
Lyon also studied at important military schools, including the National War College and the Naval War College. He was the first Reserve officer to join the Board of Directors for the United States Naval Institute. He received several important awards for his service, including the Legion of Merit.
He returned to active duty one more time in 1978 as the Deputy Chief of Naval Reserve. He finally retired in July 1983. He had served his country for almost 41 years as a rear admiral.
Political Career
After his long naval career, Dick Lyon decided to serve his community in a different way. He was elected Mayor of Oceanside, California in November 1992. He was re-elected in 1996, serving two terms as mayor.
Personal Life
Dick Lyon enjoyed many hobbies. He was a private pilot, meaning he could fly his own plane. He also loved sailing, body-surfing, and playing golf. He was married to Cynthia Gisslin, and they had nine children. He lived in Oceanside from 1981 until he passed away in February 2017.
