News

Academy grad, athlete laid to rest

  • Published
  • By Valerie Perkin
  • Athletic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo --  
An Academy graduate killed in action was laid to rest at the Academy Cemetery Jan. 8 following his funeral at New Life Church Wednesday in Colorado Springs.
Capt. David I. Lyon died Dec. 27 when enemy forces attacked his convoy in Afghanistan. He was deployed in support of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, performing a Combat Advisory mission with Afghan National Army Commandos.

A member of the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Lyon and two Slovakian service members died when a vehicle-born improvised explosive device was detonated near his convoy. He was one of 10 killed in the attack, along with two NATO military personnel and seven Afghan forces.

Serving a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, Lyon was performing a combat advisory mission with Afghan National Army Commandos and working with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. He was scheduled to return to Peterson AFB in February.

Lyon, a 2008 Academy graduate, was a three-year letterwinner for the Falcons' track and field team and a Mountain West champion in the shot put.

Known as David Lissy during his time with the Falcons' track and field program, the native of Sandpoint, Idaho, served as a team captain during the 2007-08 season, while earning a conference title in the shot put at the 2008 Mountain West Indoor Championships. He is still ranked third on the Academy's all-time list in both the indoor and outdoor shot put, highlighted by a throw of 57'11" during the 2008 indoor season.
A recipient of the track and field program's Laura Piper Ironman Award (named after a 1991 Academy graduate and former Air Force thrower who was killed in action during Operation Desert Shield in Iraq), Lyon was named to the National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American team, which recognized his excellence in strength training.

"My memories of Dave are not how far he threw, or any honors he received, but of his character and leadership," Air Force track and field head coach Ralph Lindeman said. "A fearless and intense competitor, Dave was one of the nicest young men I can ever remember coaching in my 24-plus years at (the Academy). He cared deeply about his team and his teammates. Dave was entirely selfless ... always willing to share his time, energy, experience and expertise with his teammates. For that very reason, he was one of the most outstanding team captains we've ever had here during my tenure. Dave was the epitome of a 'warrior and winner.'"

Lyon, who changed his last name after graduation with respect to his adopted parents, is survived by his wife, Dana Pounds-Lyon, a 2006 Academy graduate and two-time NCAA champion in the javelin throw.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Capt. Lyon during this difficult time," said Col. John Shaw, 21st Space Wing commander. "The Air Force and our Nation lost one of our very best. We will never forget him or his sacrifice."

Lyon was assigned to the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base where he served as the squadron's director of operations as well as the 21st Mission Support Group executive officer.

"Capt. Lyon was a model officer and exemplary young leader," said Col. Chuck Arnold, 21st MSG commander. "Dave was special - he was an intelligent, charismatic, natural leader who was widely respected by senior leaders, his peers and the Airmen he led."
21st Space Wing Public Affairs contributed to this report.