Lyle Bien

Lyle Bien
Bien in 1996
Born (1945-12-01) December 1, 1945 (age 78)
Britton, South Dakota
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Navy
Years of service1967–1999
Rank Vice admiral
Unit
Commands
Conflicts
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Alma mater
Spouse(s)
Cathy Bien
​
​
(m. 1972; died 2013)​

Lyle G. Bien (born December 1, 1945) is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy. He served during the Vietnam War, where he instructed students on piloting the F-14 Tomcat, and later became an instructor at the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He served as deputy commander of the United States Space Command between 1996 and 1998.

He is the recipient of several military awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, 11 Air Medals, a Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.

At the time of his retirement in 1999, Bien was the highest-ranking naval officer in South Dakota history,[1] as well as the state's first three-star admiral. He was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1997.[2]

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  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference sdhof was invoked but never defined (see the help page).