Richard Lyon

Rear Adm. Dick Lyon, the first Bullfrog, left, passes the Bullfrog trophy to Capt. Pete Wikul Richard "Dick" Lyon (July 14, 1923 – February 3, 2017) was a United States Navy admiral and mayor of Oceanside, California.

Early life and education

Lyon was born in Pasadena, California, where he attended high school with friend and fellow classmate Jackie Robinson. As a youth, he was a selected member of the United States Olympic swim team for the 1940 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but the 1940 games were canceled due to the outbreak of World War II. Lyon graduated from Yale University in 1944 and that year he was captain of the Yale Bulldogs swimming and diving team with a season record of 10-0. He earned a master's degree from Stanford University in 1953.

Naval career Lyon attended Columbia University Midshipmen's School, receiving his commission in the United States Navy in October 1944. He served as a Navy Scout and Raider in the Pacific Theatre and in China as an Intelligence Officer. He was released from active duty in 1946, subsequently joining the Naval Reserve. He returned to active duty in early 1951 he commissioned the Underwater Demolition Team Five, and served in the Korean War until late 1952. Upon release, he resumed his Reserve participation. and was re-elected in 1996.

Personal life

Lyon was a private pilot and an avid sailor, body-surfer and golfer. He was married to Cynthia Gisslin, and had nine children. He resided in Oceanside from 1981