Mr. Thomas:
With much sadness, I wish to inform you and the 55th SRW Association of the passing of my father Col. (ret.) William D. Kyle. My dad passed away on Feb. 6, 2006 in Ogden, Utah. I attach a copy of the obituary for my father; this was published in the local (Utah) newspapers.
As you may recall, my father was the Wing Commander of the 55th SRW when the unit was based at Forbes AFB, Kansas. It was during my dad's tenure that the Russians shot down one of the 55th aircraft with the death of four crew members; two other members safely ejected from the aircraft and were interned by the Russians for several months.
My father will be laid to rest next to his wife, Grace, at the U.S. Military Cemetery at West Point at a date the family is considering.
Thank you,
William D. Kyle III Seattle, Wa
William D. Kyle, Jr.
William D. Kyle, Jr. was born on 2 March 1918 in Butte, Montana. After graduation from Butte High School, Bill attended Stanford University for two (2) years. Bill then decided he wanted to attend The United States Military Academy at West Point. Bill left Stanford University and received an Appointment to attend West Point from Senator Burton K. Wheeler. On July 1, 1939 Bill entered West Point at the age of 21, one of the older members of his class.
During his first year at West Point, Bill completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings as a member of the class of 42-K; the only class in the history of West Point to receive their pilot wings before graduation. Bill then completed his academic training at West Point graduating and receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on 19 January, 1943. The day after graduation, January 20, 1943, Bill married Grace M. Shay in the Cadet Chapel at West Point. Grace and Bill subsequently had two (2) children and four (4) grand-children.
After graduation, Bill was assigned to Fort Worth, Texas where he received combat crew training as a pilot in the B-24 Liberator Bomber. In November, 1943, Bill was assigned to the 446th Bomb Group which deployed that same month to a combat zone, namely, to the 8th Air Force at Bungay, England. At Bungay, Bill served in progressively more responsible positions including Assistant Squadron Operations Officer, Squadron Operations Officer, Squadron Commander and Group Operations Officer. During this tour Bill received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Cluster, The Air Medal with three Clusters and the French Croix-de-Guerre.
Following World War II, Bill attended American University where he received a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Bill then was assigned to Headquarters, USAF. Following his tour at Headquarters, USAF, most of Bill's assignments were with the Strategic Air Command (SAC). In 1953 he was Vice-Commander of the 307th Bomb Group; he deployed to Okinawa for B-29 Bomber missions during the Korean War. In 1957, Bill graduated from Air War College. From 1960 to 1961 he was Commander of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Topeka, Kansas; from 1961-1964 he was Chief of Staff, 16th Air Force, Madrid Spain. Bill was then assigned to Hill Air Force Base as Base Commander until his retirement. Bill retired as a Colonel in April 1972 with 30 years of service. Upon retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Following retirement, Bill was employed by United Savings Bank in Ogden, Utah: he served as Director of Marketing and as a Member of the Board of Directors. During this period, Bill and his wife Grace were active in community affairs including The Air Force Association, The Weber County Library and The Salvation Army.
Bill was a tall, easy going man with many friends. He frequently said that the two achievements he was most proud of was his marriage to Grace and his graduation from West Point. Bill will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father. His wife, Grace, preceded him in death passing away on their 54th wedding anniversary.
Bill is survived by two children: his son, William D. Kyle III, Seattle, Wa. and his daughter, Diane Grace Diehl, Irvine, Ca. Bill will join his loving wife, Grace, in their final resting place ... the Cemetery at West Point.
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