Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"05.29.23 Today is the day I remember and honor my nephew Lyle Gordon. I celebrate FREEDOM because of his bravery and many other soldiers. He loved God, his family and America. Lyle will never be forgotten. Aunt Bobbi"
Bobbi A Wimberly of Burleson, TX

"05/30/2022 Memorial Day is the day the nation, as a whole, honors those who served and died protecting "Freedom", however, for the individual families and friends we honor the ones lost every single day. My nephew, Lyle Gordon gave his life protecting the Land of the Free. Not only will his sacrifice never be forgotten, but his life and those he touched will never forget him. Always, Aunt Bobbi"
Bobbi Wimberly of Burleson, TX

"Today, January 26, 2022, has been 17 years since I rec'd a late night call that informed me of my nephew's death...it still hurts. Thank you Capt. Lyle L Gordon for 'FREEDOM'. Your service and your life will be remembered always. I love you."
Bobbi A Wimberly of Burleson, TX

"As the years go by since Lyle's sacrifice for our freedom, I continue to make every effort to honor his act of bravery. Never will he be forgotten. He was loved in life as he is loved today.
Aunt Bobbi"
Bobbi Wimberly of Burleson, TX

"Lyle was my wing man in helo flight school (we called it "form partner" back then).
I was so broken by his death. I visit this site every year to feel my heart rise and fall for him. Love you brother."
Jim Frey of Tampa, FL

"As we prepare to honor all service men and women this Memorial Day (11.11.16), my thoughts turn to my nephew Lyle L Gordon who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy each day. Miss you Lyle! Aunt Bobbi"
Bobbi Wimberly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

"I miss you Lyle. Thank you for all that you did for us. I know you are in Heaven next to God, you are just the type of person He needs beside him."
Matt Skinner of Texas

"Remembering you on Memorial Day 2016. Your sweet smile will never fade from my memory. Always, Aunt Bobbi"
Bobbi Wimberly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

"Soon Veterans Day will roll around for 2015 and as always I will ensure your are remembered as my community pays tribute to all Veterans. "I love you Lyle" Aunt Bobbi"
Bobbi Wimberly of Texas

"Remembering you and your service today Lyle, and saying a prayer for your family."
Carrie of Anchorage, AK

"Lyle was a warrior long before he joined the Marines. Those that grew up with him know this to be true. He was a great mixture of warrior and compassionate friend. I find it to be an honor to
have grown up with Lyle. He will NEVER be forgotten. As a Police Officer in Dallas I ran a license plate late one night on a busy highway. The plate came back to Lyles dad, Dickey. Knowing Dickey wouldn't be out that late I stopped the car. The driver was Lyles younger brother, Boyd. It was the most pleasant traffic stop I've ever had. I think Lyle would have laughed at me pulling his little brother over. No tickets.... Just a short conversation. Boyd still looked like Lyle. I could help but tear up as I walked back to my patrol car. I can't help but think about Lyle and how hard he hit people, me included, during our high school football days. Lol... God, what a warrior he was.

God Bless the Gordon family and those that served with him. You guys are all hero's to me."
Hud Hartson of Midlothian, Tx

"To the family of:Lyle L.Gordon
I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief and you have my thoughts and prayers. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need prayer or need someone to talk to, please call or write my pastor: Rev. John Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015.
Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga""

"In the honor of Capt. Lyle L. Gordon,

I am a young sophomore cadet in Company E-2, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, and when I learned that Capt. Gordon was from the same outfit, I was filled with pride knowing that I have the privilege of being in the same exact unit that he was in. Thank you Capt. Gordon for your esteemed service, and I pray blessings for the family of Capt. Gordon, his legacy will never be forgotten."
Rebel-E Cadet, Class of '14 of College Station, TX

"Remember to NEVER forget!"
Aunt Bobbi of Keller, TX, USA

"Such a sweet guy you were, Lyle. Miss you, and am thinking of and praying for your family and loved ones today."
Carrie of Anchorage, AK

"Lyle you are truely a blessing to all those that you came in contact with. You were a joy to be around...As your birthday approaches I begin to find myself missing you even more. I think of you ALWAYS and wish I had prayed harder for your safety. Thank you for being a Prime example of how Yahweh's children should be. Thanks for being such an awesome cousin, and thank you for being my Hero. Tears of sadness flow from my eyes,but my heart jumps and cheers to know that soon we will be reunited. Kaci,you will and have always been in my prayers.Thank you for loving Lyle and sacrificing him for our sake."
Kiva Hanes of somewhere in Kansas/America

"I was honored to enter the Marine Corps through the same platoon in Boot Camp as Lyle. I always thought of him as a good man, good Marine and good friend. He was a model recruit and a guy anyone could learn from and follow as an example. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers go out to Lyle, his family, his friends and his fellow Marines. Anyone who had the pleasure and honor of serving with Captain Gordon was all the better for it.

Semper Fi! Devil Dog, Semper Fi!"
Sean M. Boyce of Marinette, Wisconsin

"On Memorial Day 2010, I am thinking of my friend Lyle Gordon. We met in Officer Candidate School. His rack was directly beside mine. We accompanied one another through The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, VA and trained together in the same fire team for six months. Upon graduation, we attended flight school together, both becoming helicopter pilots in 2002. Then he went to California, and I went to Okinawa. Two years later (2004) I was excited to see my old friend at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. We often stopped to talk with one another or eat chow together. Two days after eating dinner together, I was awoken from my sleep by a fellow pilot who informed me of the CH-53 crash. He said I would take over the remaining mission which had been on their agenda that night. It wasn't until later that day that I discovered Lyle was a casualty of that crash. Days later, I flew to his memorial at Korean Village in western Iraq. I sobbed at the loss of my friend as the chaplain played his guitar in honor of Lyle and the other Marines. Those events changed my life forever. I think of Lyle not only on Memorial Day, but throughout the year. My life is richer because Lyle was my friend, and he will live forever in my mind."
Captain Josh Fraser of Cameron Park, California

"If God blesses me to have children, I hope they grow up to be just like you Lyle Gordon."
Matt Skinner of Atlanta, GA.

"Sir, I will never forget walking into your office the first time and you looking up with that big smile, Thank you."
Cpl Scott Rausch, HMH-361 Flight Line of Ft. Worth, Tx

"To the family of Capt.Gordon i was with the family the day we meet and went to the airport my name is Anthony King and i am with the Marine Corps League Det#731 i can never forget what he did for this country during my spare time i been making Gold Star Pillows for the Fallen Heros mostly around the DFW and i would love to give his wife a pillow to let her know we did not forget what he done for this country my email address is(socool371@yahoo.com)"
Anthony King of Fort Worth.Texas U.S.A

"January 17, 2009
To the family of Capt. Lyle L. Gordon:
Lyle gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"Thinking of you still, today, on your birthday, Lyle. Taking solace in the fact that I know you are with Our Heavenly Father. 9/11/2008"
Tracy of Midlothian, Texas

"Canadian, Texas on 8-24-08 had a one mile walk/run for Texas' Fallen. I was honored to be able to run for Captain Lyle Gordon and to carry a flag for him. He and all the Fallen soldiers will be in my prayers and mind forever. If Lyle's family would like a copy of the newspaper article please contact me by e-mail. May God bless the USA for all these courageous men and women."
Doreen Purcell of Canadian, Texas

"I was the bugler who played Taps at Capt Gordon's funeral. I am also a Texas Aggie Class of 1982. It was a privilege and an honor to be a part of the services for Capt Gordon."
Kyle Hantz of Weatherford, TX

"LYLE!,
Man i miss the Oklahoma, Texas trash talking we did in the ready room. Watching you grow up in this job with a smile was great. YOU ARE MY HERO BROTHER AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!"
SSgt Gosney, C.D. of HMT-302

"To family & friends of Lyle: Lyle and my oldest daughter were engaged to be married while he was in the Corps at A&M, and I my wife and I approved whole-heartedly. When the kids would leave for campus on Sunday evening, my wife would tell Lyle, "Take care of my baby." She said she never had any doubt that he would do just that. I was, well, just proud of this young man, and looking forward to the day I could call him "Son." Though that engagement was broken off, I know that Lyle spent the rest of his life taking care of somebody, everyday.
To Dickey and Mom: Hold your heads high, knowing you gave our country and his world a bit of sunlight through your son. I think of him almost daily.
To Lyle:
Semper Fi, Warrior. You were a good man, a fine Marine, a Good Ag, and a Great American. You ran your race well, and you earned your place in the Hall of Honor."
Rod Chalmers '69 of Utopia, TX

"Lyle, It was good to grow up with you and your family. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten ! You are the perfect example of a MAN, HUSBAND, SON, BROTHER, FRIEND, and COUNTRYMAN . Such a warrior on the football field, but always a class act. we'll miss you forever. God bless the Gordon family."
Kc Bernard of Midlothian,Texas

"Never forggotten."
SSgt Baker of San Diego Ca

"Semper Fi Leatherneck! You are gone, but never forgotten...."
Rene Rogers of Arlington, Texas

"To Kaci and the Gordon family--We still grieve today as we will forever, for Lyle. What a wonderful man and Marine he was. He will never be forgotten by us, nor the rest of America. Brian began his journey as an officer with Lyle in 2000 at OCS. The friends Brian made there are the ones we hold most dear. We grieve with you now and forever. Lyle--we will see you again someday, and what a wonderful day that will be, when we can tell you just how proud we are of you."
Captain Brian and Mindy Brown of McKinney, Texas

"I knew Captain Lyle Gordon as new recruit in A Co, 1st Bn, 23rd Marines in Houston, TX. He was a good Marine infantryman and I was excited that he choose to pursue a commission while attending Texas A&M University. I saw him there as a student and cadet. Always, he was taking the time to help others and never did he seek glory for himself.

Capt Gordon will always be remembered and his family will be always in my thoughts and prayers."
David Sahm '82, Col. USMC of College Station, TX, USA

"Lest we forget the Heros"
Anonymous of Baltimore, MD

"To Lyle's family and friends - my heart grieves for you. I am so sorry for your great loss. Kaci, my heart especially goes out to you. I hurt for you and all that you're going through; it's a pain I know all too well. My fiance, CPT Ernesto Blanco was killed in Iraq about 19 months ago. I wasn't able to attend Muster this year, but thought about you as I had been in your place the year before. You remain in my prayers."
Grieving with you, Michelle Blanco - michellesblanco@hotmail.com

"To the family of Lyle Gordon "gordo." Please allow me to offer my condolences. I met Lyle while we were going through OCS in 2000. We were in the same Platoon. I distinctly remember our graduation day when my wife flew into the airport and I had no way to get her. He simply looked at me and said, I'll take you. We traveled in his truck all the way up to Reagan airport and he even went so far as to wait to make sure we were taken care of before he left. I never forgot what he did for me that day and we stayed in loose contact for awhile. He was a good man and I am deeply saddend by your loss.
Derrick Carter
Captain USMC"
Captain Derrick Carter of Phoenix Arizona

"Thank-you for your brave service to this beloved country. Your leadership and heroism makes me proud to be a fellow Texas Aggie. May God Bless your family and comfort them knowing you gave your life to make this world a better place."
Tommy Templer '97

"Captain Gordon was a great man who always had a smile for his Marines. God bless him, and God Bless Texas."
SSgt Tym Bunnell. HMH-361 Flightline

"Lyle was a great man. He will always be remembered for his contagious smile, and his love for life. We grew up playing together, and I can't ever remember a time he was "mean" to anyone. He was just a great guy, a great Aggie, and a great Marine. God bless you, Gordon family. We will remember you in our prayers."
Stephanie Frankiewicz (Patterson) of Midlothian,TX USA

"Sir, Thanks for all the great times and good laughs we had. I could always count on you for anything. And that is hard for me to find. I can say that you are one great man. You and your family will always be in my prayers. semper fi sir."
SSgt. Baker of HMH-361

"I knew Lyle all of my life. We both grew up in Midlothian. Lyle was always happy and such a great person to be around. He will truly be missed. God Bless the Gordon Family and America."
Angie Allman (Martin) of Fairfield, TX USA

"My son, Richard Gilbert, Jr., was among the heroes that perished on board the helicopter with Lyle. They will forever be brothers in arms. My condolences to Capt. Gordon's family."
Helen Gilbert of Dayton, Ohio

"To the Gordon family from the Wahl family. We are deeply sadden by the lost of Lyle. He was the elite of all Americans. A man that has touched the hearts among friends, neighbor's, his military family and his own family. We lost our son; so we hurt along with you. Words are hard to give comfort, true. Our heart and prays are Lyle, Greg and your family. God Bless!"
leonard wahl of Valley Stream NY

"To the family of Captain Lyle Gordon,

We are so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please know we are grieving with you. We will never forget Lyle and what he did for our country."
Brian & Joanna Dietzman of College Station, Texas

"Your are a hero and your sacrifice will never be forgotten"
Mike of Kingwood

"To the family and friends of Captain Lyle L. Gordon,

Those we hold most dear, never truly leave us. May you find comfort in love's everlasting connection.

In the Support section of this web site you will find links to many groups that support you at this crucial time. The Marine Comfort Quilt group would be honored to send a quilt to the next of kin. There are many, loving and caring Americans from all over the United States that will never forget the sacrifice that your loved one has made for our Freedom. Please use our link and register so we can send you our "Love Stitched Together."
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca USA

"To Lyle's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your hero's bravery and sacrifice as we mourn the loss of yet another of Texas' sons.

Sincerely,

Gloria Caldas
Proud Mother of Fallen Hero
Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas
"The Big Ern"
82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
San Antonio, Texas
gcaldas48@aol.com"

"There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Lyle , will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"I worked with Lyle in Operations when I was in HMH-361 last year, and I was saddened to see such a great Marine with so much potential meet his end so soon. I pray for Lyle's family and wish for them to accept my condolences, and I want them to know that while Lyle was on this Earth, he was a rising star who made a difference and left a positive impression on all of us. Lyle, happy trails, old friend; I'll see you when I see you."
Maj Lee Cracknell of Iwakuni, Japan

"To my dear cousin Lyle Gordon. We will love and miss for ever and always. I will never forget what you have done to protect my friends and my children. You will be dearly missed and will always have a place in my heart. My children will grow to know their cousin and what he did for his country. I love you."
TJ Harper of Iowa Park, TX proud US of A

"Thank you Lyle Gordon, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of Capt. Lyle Gordon:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Lyle for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of Capt. Lyle Gordon:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Lyle, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia