Robin was always fascinated with airplanes and it was no wonder he aimed for the US Army Air Corps when he enlisted on September 28, 1940. He wanted to fly, but he was farsighted, and was not accepted into pilot training. He had experience with engines, however, and was assigned to the AAF Technical Training Command, 317th Technical Squadron. The AAF base at Chanute Field, IL was his first assignment. He spent 20 weeks in school studying Airplane Mechanics, then teaching engine mechanics after Basic Training. Robin was transferred to Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, TX where he completed 140 hours of Instructor Training in Aircraft Engines on December 18, 1941. He rose in the ranks from Private to Corporal, 317th TSS (Sp) to Sergeant, 422nd TSS (Sp), eventually holding the rank of Staff Sergeant, 625th TSS (Sp). He was reassigned to the AAF base at Amarillo, TX, where he spent the majority of his enlistment teaching aircraft mechanics in the 31st Academic Squadron. Robin also continued to study, graduating from an 18 day instruction program at the Boeing Flying Fortress School, B-29 Division, in Seattle, WA on January 28, 1944.This training qualified him as an Auxiliary Systems and Power Plant Specialist. On September 7, 1944 in Patterson, NJ he received his Certificate of Training on Wright Aircraft Engine Model R3350 in Fuel Injection. When the Technical School eventually transferred over entirely to civilian instructors, Robin was reassigned to the 492nd Bombardment Squadron (H) and sent to the China Burma India theatre on May 9, 1945 aboard the Wm. F. Hayes to service airplanes and to help build temporary landing strips. Robin returned stateside from the CBI theatre on November 1, 1945, flying “around the world” from airfield to airfield, stopping for fuel in 9 different countries before landing at Morrison Field, FL on November 10, 1945. He was separated from the 492nd Bombardment Squadron (H), 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force on November 18, 1945. His separation papers listed 1 month of Basic Training, 46 months as a Technical Instructor, and 7 months as an Airplane and Engine Mechanic. Robin’s experiences in the Army Air Corps shaped his life in many ways. He continued to study WWII airplanes and their engines, and the CBI theatre specifically, throughout the remainder of his life. He was undeniably proud of his service to his country during WWII.
SSgt. Robin L. Lyke, ASN 12018097
Technical Instructor / Aircraft Mechanic
10th Air Force / 7th Bombardment Group / 492nd Bombardment Squadron
Enlisted: 20Sep 40 Honorable Discharge: 18 Nov 45
To Theater: 9 May 45 Arrived: 14 Jun 45
Departed for USA: 1 Nov 45 Arrived: 10 Nov 45
American Service Medal American Defense Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Military Occupational Assignments
1 Month - Private, Basic Training AAF
46 Months - Staff Sergeant, Technical Instructor
(Taught theory of aircraft engines, internal combustion theory and instructed in engine overhaul.)
7 Months - Staff Sergeant, Airplane & Engine Mechanic
SSgt. Robin Lyke
Mr. & Mrs. Robin and Joan Lyke - September 1943
Robin Lyke with P-39 Bell Airacobra, Chanute Field
January 1941
Empire State tent mates at Chanute Field, October 1940
L-R: Lyke, Harold Fisher, Robert J. Kraushaer, Seymour Blutt
Orrie D. Jones, Henry Rand
(Images/Info Courtesy of Jayne Borden & Judy Clarke)
Biography of SSgt. Robin Lyke
September 22, 1919 - September 12, 2012
SSgt. Lyke's Find-A-Grave Memorial
492nd BS Personnel
7th BG Personnel
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