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Admiral James "Ace" Lyons Sept. 28.1927 -- Dec. 12, 2018

Death of a Hero



Renée Chevalier Lyons, Admiral James

Sad news comes today in yesterday’s passing of Retired Admiral James (“Ace) Lyons at age 91.

A passionate American patriot in every sense of the word, Admiral Lyons joined his wife, Renée Chevalier Lyons, just six weeks after her death on Nov. 1, 2018.

A veritable legend in all of his days on earth, books could—and should—be filled about his outstanding achievements and dedicated military service to the people of the United States of America.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1952, when America was still wearing Bobby Socks, Ace was one of the those to go on to reach full zenith in a lifetime dedicated to the Armed Forces.

“Key assignments preceding Lyon's advancement to flag rank included Chief of Staff, Commander Carrier Group Four, Commanding Officer, USS Richmond K. Turner (CG-20) and Commanding Officer, USS Charles S. Sperry (DD697). He has been recognized for his distinguished service by the United States and several foreign governments.(Military Hall of Honor)

During his service in the U.S. Navy for thirty-six years, he served in key assignments.

“Lyons was Commander of the U.S. Second Fleet and Commander of the NATO Striking Fleet which were the principle fleets for implementing the Maritime Strategy. He has represented U.S. interests with military and civilian leadership worldwide - including China, Japan and other Pacific Rim countries, the European continent and Russia. (Military Hall of Honor)

“As the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations from 1983-1985, he was principal advisor on all Joint Chiefs of Staff matters and was the father of the Navy Red Cell, an anti-terrorism group comprised of Navy Seals he established in response to the Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut.

“On 16 September 1985, Lyons was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral. He then began his final Navy assignment as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the largest single military command in the world. His initiatives in that command from 1985-1987 contributed directly to the economic stability and humanitarian understanding in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions and brought the U.S. Navy Fleet back to China. As Fleet Commander he managed a budget of over $5 billion and controlled a force of 250,000 personnel. He also served as Senior U.S. Military Representative to the United Nations.

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After thirty-six years of service, Lyons retired from the Navy in 1987.

In civilian life, Admiral Lyons, was President/CEO of LION Associates LLC, a premier global consultancy providing technical expertise in the areas of international marketing and trade, enterprise risk, including anti-terrorism site and port security, foreign policy and security affairs along with defense and commercial procurement. 

He served as a member of the Board of Directors for several companies, including the Advisory Board to the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and was a consultant to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on issues of counter terrorism. Because of his political, technical and business management expertise combined with his strategic planning and operational achievements, he was personal advisor to key officials in private organizations in the United States and overseas and was actively involved with Project Hope and other humanitarian efforts at the highest levels of the U.S. government. 

Admiral Lyons was also Chairman of ESINC (Emergency Services Information Network Corporation) which provides HAZMAT information to over 2,000,000 first responders through dedicated communication networks, (NLETS, RISS) and through the use of Sprint/Nextel and now on Blackberry phones.

Less than one week ago, Admiral Lyons was the recipient of an award at The second annual Impact Awards, which honors “outstanding efforts of unsung warriors in numerous fields outside of government service.”

The Impact Awards are hosted by United in Purpose, a conservative policy education organization, and Ginni Thomas, a conservative movement leader and wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Bonny Sisson Stilwell, contemporary friend of the Lyons, still mourning the passing of Renée, notified Canada Free Press of his passing this morning, writing:


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“Memories of Renée Chevalier Lyons were a journey into yesteryear,
“To behold what she and 'Ace' held dear,
“A show and tell of sorts, 
“Their world and our world of many distant ports.
“A rocking chair that many hours held,
“a withered woman and a new born child.
“A rolling pin with many a scratch,
“for making apple pie that no one could match.
“Her turkey platter with nary a chip,
"and her gravyboat, a proud little ship.
"Glad that she and 'Ace' treasured these,
"because their rings and NAVY wings of Gold were necessities.”


The passing of Admiral Lyons coincides with the passing of a great American era, one in which main-street Americans were praised rather than demeaned for being proud to be American.

It may come as some solace for those who mourn him, knowing that since the death of Renée, Admiral Lyons like ‘Danny’ must have heard the pipes calling, and a comfort to their three children Michele, Yvonne, Jim, and three grandchildren, Max Slingluff, Zoe Renée Slingluff and James A. Lyons IV that their parents and grandparents are together again.

Admiral Lyons, your Nation will never forget you.



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Judi McLeod -- Bio and Archives -- Judi McLeod, Founder, Owner and Editor of Canada Free Press, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in the print and online media. A former Toronto Sun columnist, she also worked for the Kingston Whig Standard. Her work has appeared throughout the ‘Net, including on Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.

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