Marine Captain Lyle L. Gordon ’97 is remembered by his family and friends
for his enthusiasm, tenacity, drive, and contagious smile. He is remembered by his nation as a hero who answered freedom’s call and paid the
ultimate sacrifice on January 26, 2005, when his CH-53E helicopter
crashed near Ar Rutbah, Iraq.
“Lyle would stop whatever he was doing to help you out,” shared
Capt. Michael Saddler ’98, USMC, who served with Gordon in Iraq. “I
never heard him complain about doing extra work. He always worked
hard and took pride in everything he did. Lyle was a guy that you
could always count on.”
Lyle Gordon was born on September 11, 1974. He graduated from
Midlothian High School in 1993 and from Texas A&M University with
a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1999. While at Texas A&M,
Gordon was a member of Company E-2 in the Corps of Cadets and played rugby for the Texas A&M Rugby Football Club where his nickname was "Smiles".
Gordon had a lifelong love for flying and joined the United States
Marine Corps Reserve while still a student in 1995. He was designated
a naval aviator in July 2002 and at the time of his death was assigned to
the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16,
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar,
California.
As friends and family gathered in February to celebrate Gordon’s
life, Capt. Scott Williams, the Marine who escorted Gordon home,
said, “Lyle always gave more than he took. I’ll always remember him
as one of the friendliest, most dependable, most passionate people I
have ever known.”
Gordon is survived by his wife Kaci (Yates) Gordon ’01 of San
Marcos, California; his parents, Dickey and Mary Gordon of
Midlothian; a brother and sister-in-law, Boyd and Lara Gordon of
Coppell; and a nephew, Tucker Gordon, of Coppell.
