USAF (Ret.) Col. George W. Pyle

Colonel George W. Pyle, USAF, (Ret.) was born in Demopolis, Alabama on December 10, 1932 and graduated from Demopolis High School in May 1951. He entered Auburn University, Alabama in September of that year and graduated in December 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Administration and a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In May 1956 Colonel Pyle entered undergraduate pilot training at Marana Air Base in Arizona and was awarded his wings one year later at Greenville Air Force Base, Mississippi. Upon completion of his training in January 1958, he was assigned to the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Etain Air Base, France flying the F-100D aircraft. He continued to serve with the 49th throughout its move to Spangdahlen Air Base, Germany in 1959, where he met and married Erika Maria Lutz of Trier, Germany. George was assigned to Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska and the Strategic Air Command flying KC-97 aircraft. His daughter, Nicole, was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in May, 1962. Ten months later he was transferred to the 301st Air Refueling Wing, Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio flying the KC-135 aircraft. His second daughter, Noelle, was born in Columbus, Ohio in August 1966. After completing transition training in the F-100 and 0-1 aircraft, he reported to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, DaNang Air Base, the Republic of Vietnam. There he was assigned to Pleiku Air Base for six months followed by another six months at Quang Ngai Air Base flying 0-2 aircraft. He flew 280 combat missions and logged approximately 850 combat hours. In October 1975 he was assigned to the 509th Bombardment Wing, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire as Squadron Commander of the 509th Air Refueling Squadron.

In July 1978 he departed for Washington, D.C. to begin training for his attaché assignment. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with thirteen oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. He was a command pilot with over 4,500 flying hours. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1984 after having served for 28 years. He moved to San Antonio in 1993 and spent the remainder of his years playing golf and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Allen Pyle and Martha Lillian Pyle; three sisters and one brother. Col. Pyle is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Erika Pyle; daughters, Nicole Garza and husband, Daniel and Noelle Gellert and husband, George; grandchildren, Johnathan George Fink, Tess Gellert, Maya Garza and Gabriel Gellert; great-grandson, Blake Fink; dear special friend, Roy Garza.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

1:15 P.M.

FT. SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

WITH HONORS

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Prostate Cancer Foundation,

1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, www.pcf.org.