Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Retired Navy Reserve Capt. Robert Ernest Lytle, 87, a resident of Annapolis for three years and previously of Alexandria, Va., died of cancer June 19 in his home. 


Capt. Lytle was born Feb. 18, 1921, in Jersey City, N.J., to the late John Giles and Luella Ruffing Lytle. He graduated from Hillside High School in New Jersey in 1938, and he received a bachelor's degree from Montclair State University in 1942 and a master's degree from New York University. 


Capt. Lytle served as a Naval aviator during World War II in the Pacific Theater, flying 44 combat dive bombing missions on Bougainville Island and Rabaul, New Guinea. 


He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served as an instructor at the Naval Intelligence School for three years. He also served several tours as an Intelligence Officer and was on the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and with the Defense Intelligence Agency. He capped his naval career as Commanding Officer of the Fleet Intelligence Center Pacific at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 


He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and eight Air Medals for his service in World War II, as well as the two Legions of Merit; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; Naval Reserve Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Philippine Liberation Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Presidential Unit Citation; the Naval Unit Commendation; and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. 


Capt. Lytle taught at Newark College of Engineering, the Associated Colleges of Upper New York - Plattsburg campus, and as an instructor in English at the West Point Preparatory School. After retirement from the Navy in 1972, he worked as an intelligence analyst and project Manager at SPARCOM and Computer Sciences Corporation. 


Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ada Louise Johndroe Lytle; two daughters, Cheryl Ann Lytle of Annapolis and Deborah Lytle Plimmer of North Sandwich, N.H.; two grandsons; and one great-grandson. 


A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 1pm at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Capt E. Lytle, R

Capt E. Lytle, R

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