[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 32 (Wednesday, March 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E250-E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO GENERAL WILLIAM LYON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2013

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues Congressman 
Darrell Issa, Congressman John Campbell and Congressman Dana 
Rohrabacher, and on behalf of the entire California Republican 
Congressional Delegation, to honor and pay tribute to an individual 
whose dedication and contributions to our country and state are 
exceptional. We have been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated 
leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent to 
make their communities, and country, a better place to live and work. 
General William Lyon is one of these individuals. General Lyon's many 
accomplishments are wide ranging, as he has made his mark as a 
successful businessman, a decorated member of the military and an 
active supporter of the community. On March 9, 2013, General Lyon will 
be celebrating his 90th birthday.
  General Lyon was born in 1923 in Los Angeles, California. Prior to 
entering the United States Army Air Corps in 1943, he attended the 
University of Southern California and the Dallas Aviation School and 
Air College. He completed the Air War College in 1971 and the Air 
National Guard and Air Force Reserve Senior Officers Orientation Course 
in 1972 and 1974. Additionally, he attended the Industrial College of 
the Armed Forces National Seminar in 1973. In 1943, General Lyon 
enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a reservist and continued 
serving as a civilian flight instructor until he received a direct 
appointment as a flight officer in June 1944. During World War II, he 
was assigned to the 6th Ferrying Group and ferried aircraft to the 
Pacific and European theaters. In 1945 he was assigned to the North 
African Division of the Air Transport Command and returned to the 
United States in 1946.
  In 1947, General Lyon was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and 
participated in various Reserve assignments until his voluntary recall 
to active duty in 1951. He was then assigned to Headquarters Air 
Training Command as a staff pilot and was later transferred to the 
Military Air Transport Service, flying air evacuation and ferrying 
missions. In 1953 he volunteered for a tour of duty in Korea and flew 
75 combat missions in the C-46 and C-47. From 1954 to 1963, General 
Lyon was assigned to various positions in the Reserve and served as a 
flight commander and operations officer. In 1963 he was named Commander 
of the 929th Tactical Airlift Squadron, March Air Force Base, 
California, and subsequently served as Commander of the parent unit, 
the 943d Tactical Airlift Group.
  In June 1970, General Lyon was assigned as mobilization assistant to 
the commander, Sacramento Air Materiel Area, McClellan Air Force Base, 
California, and in February 1972, he became mobilization assistant to 
the Commander, Fifteenth Air Force at March Air Force Base. He was 
promoted to the grade of Major General on April 24, 1974, with date of 
rank May 24, 1972. In March 1974 he was appointed mobilization 
assistant to the commander in chief, Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air 
Force Base, Nebraska, where he was involved in the planning of the 
transfer of designated KC-135 units to the Reserve Forces. In 1975, 
General Lyon was appointed by President Gerald R. Ford to serve as 
Chief of Air Force Reserve Headquarters at the Pentagon, where he was 
responsible for managing a $700 million budget as well as the 
activities of some 53,000 Air Force Reservists. Four years later, on 
April 16, 1979, he retired from military service.
  General Lyon's many military decorations and awards include the 
Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three oak 
leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit 
Award, Combat Readiness Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hour 
glass device, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
  More than 50 years ago, General Lyon started building homes for 
returning military personnel and others who wanted to make a life in 
California. This modest effort evolved to become William Lyon Homes, 
which is now one of the nation's largest private homebuilders. 
Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, William Lyon Homes has 
constructed more than 100,000 new residences in Arizona, California and 
Nevada.
  General Lyon's business success isn't limited to homebuilding. In 
1981 he and a partner purchased AirCal, a regional air carrier based in 
Newport Beach, California. General Lyon served as the Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer until 1987 when AirCal was purchased by 
American Airlines. His love of flying then led him to acquire Martin 
Aviation, a fixed

[[Page E251]]

based operator, at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California and 
in 2009 he established the Lyon Air Museum to preserve and promote the 
memory of WWII and ``The Greatest Generation.''
  It is hard to imagine that General Lyon would have any free time on 
his hands yet he always found time for his community. He currently 
serves as a Director on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Board, 
having been a former Chairman of that Board. General Lyon is the 
founding Chairman of the Orangewood Children's Foundation, and past 
Chairman of Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council. Additionally, 
he has served as Board Chairman of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of 
The United Way.
  Throughout General Lyon's incredible life he has been loved and 
supported by his wonderful family including his wife Willa Dean Lyon, 
and children, Christine Lyon Rhoades, Mary Susan Lyon Isola, William H. 
Lyon, Marcia Stone and Byron Russell.
  We have come to know General Lyon well through many years working 
together on a variety of projects in California. We can all personally 
attest to General Lyon's incredible work-ethic, professionalism, and 
positive attitude. In light of all General Lyon has done for southern 
California and our country, it is only fitting that he be honored as he 
celebrates his 90th birthday. General Lyon's honorable service to our 
country and tireless passion for public service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of our country, state and community. We are 
proud to call him a fellow community member, American and friend. I 
know that many people are grateful for his service and salute him on 
this great milestone.

                          ____________________