Passing of Admiral James “Ace” Lyons, USNA ’52, USN (Ret)

“A TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOT”

by Capt. Joseph R. John (Ret), ©2018

(Dec. 13, 2018) — We were informed yesterday that Admiral James A. Lyons, Jr., USNA ’52, USN (Ret), age 91, passed away peacefully at Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton, VA. Admiral Lyons served in the U.S. Navy for 36 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, including as Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet, Senior US Military Representative to the United Nations, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations.  Details of the military funeral service to be conducted at the US Naval Academy Chapel, followed by internment in the US Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD, will be published  when details are finalized.

This past November 1, 2018, Admiral Lyons informed me of his profound sadness at the loss of his wife of 66 years, Renee, who passed away that morning; my wife and I had first met Renee Lyons 52 years ago.

In January 1967, as a then-Navy Lieutenant, I reported for duty to my new Commanding Officer,  Cdr James Lyons, USN, as his Weapons Department Head aboard his ship, the USS Charles S. Sperry (DD-697); we deployed to the Middle East during the “Six-Day War.”  Over the ensuing years, we maintained our friendship, and then-Rear Admiral Lyons invited me to meet with him in Washington when in charge of the Saudi Naval Expansion Program.

In May 1986, I reported to Admiral Lyons for duty when he was Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Fleet, as the Commanding Officer, COMUSFACSUBICBAYDET 119, in support of the US Naval Commander Philippines to assist in improving defenses against NPA terrorists threatening US military personnel. From May 1986 through September 1988, I regularly traveled from the Philippines to Admiral Lyons’s headquarters at Pearl Harbor to report directly to him on the improvement in security.

From August 2009 until this day, Admiral Lyons had been one of the strongest supporters of the Combat Veterans For Congress, and often endorsed Combat Veterans running for Congress.  He introduced the Combat Veterans For Congress to Flag and General Officer associates and commented positively on the contents of a number of the 413 op-eds we transmitted by email to supporters over the last 9½ years.  Admiral Lyons would often comment on the contents of the op-eds by emailing a “Bravo Zulu, Joe” (Navy translation: “Well Done, Joe”).

Admiral Lyons was a true American patriot who loved his country, protected and defended the US Constitution, and served his country, in and out of uniform. Admiral Lyons will be remembered by his classmates, shipmates, fellow Flag Officers, family, and friends with abiding affection and warmth.  I am sincerely saddened at the passing of Admiral Lyons, who was always a strong supporter of the men and women of the US Armed Forces.  We offer our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to Admiral Lyons’s children, Michele, Yvonne, and James, and their extended families, for their great loss. May the Good Lord bless Admiral Lyons, and rest his noble soul.

Very respectfully,

Joseph R. John, USNA ‘62
Capt    USNR(Ret)/Former FBI
Chairman, Combat Veterans For Congress PAC
2307 Fenton Parkway, Suite 107-184
San Diego, CA 92108

http://www.CombatVeteransForCongress.org

https://www.facebook.com/combatveteransforcongress?ref=hl

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” -Isaiah 6:8