SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 148
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
pay tribute to the life of Colonel James P. Lyle and to recognize
his bravery and heroism in averting a major disaster when his 
aircraft went down off the coast of Nantucket Island in 1967; and
	WHEREAS, Colonel Lyle was a 26-year veteran of the
United States Air Force when his radar reconnaissance aircraft 
caught fire on April 25, 1967; he elected to ditch the plane into 
the Atlantic Ocean in order to avoid crashing onto the island; 
the fiery crash took his life along with the lives of 14 other 
members of his crew from the 551st Airborne Early Warning and 
Control Wing at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts; and
	WHEREAS, James P. Lyle was born in Springtown, Texas,
in 1920 and graduated from North Texas State College in Denton
in 1939; he attended flight school and was assigned to the 
Mediterranean Theater as commander of the 827th Bomb Squadron
in Italy during World War II; he served during the Korean War
also and flew numerous combat missions over the years; and
	WHEREAS, Among his decorations are the Distinguished 
Flying Cross, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Bronze 
Star, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 
Presidential Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster, Korean 
Presidential Unit Citation, and French Croix de Guerre with one 
palm; and
	WHEREAS, Colonel Lyle was married to Juanita Musgrave Lyle 
and the couple had two children, James L. Lyle, Jr., and



Jana Lyle, who were 22 and 15 years old at the time of their 
father's death; both Colonel and Mrs. Lyle, who died in 1998, are 
buried at Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery in San Antonio; and
	WHEREAS, An exemplary military leader, Colonel Lyle served 
his country well, and his memory will be treasured forever by his 
family, his friends, and the many people whose lives he touched; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby honor the memory of Colonel James P. Lyle 
and express appreciation for his outstanding leadership and 
dedication to his country; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
his family as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                           Estes




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on February 12, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate