MOH

Medal of Honor: Alexander Gordon Lyle - World War I - April 23, 1918

Under artillery fire on the Western Front, he ran toward the wounded instead of away from the shells. A Navy dentist became a battlefield surgeon and saved a Marine’s life.

April 30, 2026

Name: Alexander Gordon Lyle
Rank: Lieutenant Commander (Dental Corps)
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: World War I
Unit: Serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps
Date of Action: April 23, 1918
Location: French Front, France

Summary of Action

On 23 April 1918, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Gordon Lyle distinguished himself while serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps on the French Front.

During active combat operations, heavy shellfire struck the area.

Amid the bombardment, Corporal Thomas Regan was seriously wounded.

With shells still falling, Lyle rushed through the dangerous zone to reach the casualty.

Though commissioned in the Dental Corps, he immediately applied his medical skill under battlefield conditions.

Working while enemy fire continued, he administered effective surgical aid to the wounded Marine.

His prompt action and refusal to wait for safety saved Corporal Regan’s life.

Lyle’s courage, devotion to duty, and willingness to risk his own life for another reflected the highest traditions of the United States Navy.

Medal of Honor Citation

LYLE, ALEXANDER GORDON

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander (Dental Corps), U.S. Navy.
Born: 12 November 1889, Gloucester, Mass.
Appointed from: Massachusetts.
Other Navy award: Legion of Merit.

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps. Under heavy shellfire, on 23 April 1918, on the French Front, Lt. Comdr. Lyle rushed to the assistance of Cpl. Thomas Regan, who was seriously wounded, and administered such effective surgical aid while bombardment was still continuing, as to save the life of Cpl. Regan.