Whereas James A. Lyons, Admiral (Ret.), known to many as Ace , the 49th Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, retired from the Navy in 1987, after 36 distinguished years of service; Whereas Admiral Lyons served in the United States Merchant Marine before attending the United States Naval Academy where he played football and graduated in 1952; Whereas Admiral Lyons participated in multiple deployments in response to international crises, including a tour on the U.S.S. Salem during the Suez Crisis and the U.S.S. Miller which supported the landings of United States Marines in Lebanon; Whereas Admiral Lyons served as the Commander of the United States Navy Second Fleet and NATO Striking Force Atlantic at the peak of the Cold War, providing critical leadership in combating Soviet global influence; Whereas Admiral Lyons served as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet and the senior military representative of the United States to the United Nations; Whereas Admiral Lyons provided steady leadership in times of crisis; Whereas Admiral Lyons served with great distinction, earning the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and many other decorations and awards; Whereas Admiral Lyons received the Legion d’Honneur (rank of Officer) from France and the Order of National Security Merit (Tongil Medal) from the Republic of Korea; Whereas Admiral Lyons was instrumental in bringing together nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, such as Project Hope, with the Navy to provide medical personnel to the hospital ships USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort, which travel the globe providing humanitarian assistance to impoverished and war-torn nations, as well as countries impacted by natural disasters; Whereas Admiral Lyons’ commitment to country and humanitarian purposes reflected great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navy