He enlisted in the USN on Jan 9, 1943 at Cheyenne, WY. He was likely 18 years old. He received his basic training at Naval Training Station, Farragut, Idaho and at completion, his rate was S2c (Seaman 2nd class).
From Farragut, Lyle transferred to the Naval Training Station at Lake Union, Seattle, WA, on June 10, 1943. Lake Union offered advanced training, however it is not known which school Lyle attended. He remained a S2c upon completion.
On July 7, 1943, Lyle was received at US Destroyer Base, Fleet Service Schools, San Diego, CA. Based upon his rate noted on Dec 3, below, he most assuredly attended Advance Fire Control, Maintenance and/or Operational school.
He transferred from San Diego to the Navy Receiving Station at San Diego, CA, where he was received Aug 11, 1943 for general detail. It is assumed Lyle worked and continued training there until he received orders to report to Pearl Harbor on Dec 3, 1943. His rate upon departing was listed as S1c, FCR (Fire Controlman, Repair).
"Fire controlmen were highly skilled technicians responsible for the operation of various forms of range finding gear, as well as the solving of ballistics calculations to control the firing of the ship's guns. These skills were employed initially for naval gunfire support and surface combat, but during World War II, their responsibilities expanded into anti-aircraft warfare as well." (Wikipedia)
Lyle arrived at the receiving ship on Dec 6, 1943 at San Francisco for transport to Pearl Harbor. He arrived at Pearl on Jan 15, 1944 and four days later, Jan 19, 1944, he walked up the gangway to board USS Indianapolis CA-35.
There was little time for Lyle to settle into life on board Indy. She left her berth at 1129 that morning. There was excitement that night when the crew was called to "Fire Quarters". Someone had placed oil soaked rags in the crew's head on the main deck aft and a fire ignited. No damage was done.
Indianapolis departed TF 58.2 to join Task Unit 53.5.2 on Jan 31, 1944. At 0805 General Quarters (GQ) was sounded in preparation for the bombardment of Roi Island. The guns sounded from 0919 to 1056 and resumed at 1306. When GQ was secured, the men had been at their battle stations for nine hours. Indy had fired 710 rounds from her 8" guns and 1,128 rounds of 5" AA ammunition. The bombardment of Roi continued the next day. The operation was a success and Indy anchored off Kwajalein on Feb 4, 1944. The Marshal Islands campaign continued with the assault and occupation of Eniwetok Atoll before ending in early March. One battle star was awarded for this campaign.
Lyle was present for the assault and occupation of Palau, Yap, Ulithi and Woleai in the Western Carolinas for the two day engagement which Indianapolis was awarded a battle star.
Indy returned to Mare Island, CA on April 22, 1944 for overhaul. While still in port, May 1, 1944 brought a change in Lyle's rate and rating from S1c (FCR) to FCR3c (Fire Controlman, Repair, 3rd class).
Indy returned to the Pacific in early June 1944 and was present for the assault on the Marianas for which she earned another star. Then came the capture and occupation of Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, adding another battle star. It was during this time that Lyle's work and service progressed, proving his skillfulness. On July 29, 1944, he advanced from FCR3c to FCO3c (Fire Controlman, Operational, 3rd class).
The capture and occupation of the southern Palau Islands as part of the Western Carolina Islands operation was next for Indy. She bombarded Paleliau in several engagements from Sept 12-29, 1944. Another battle star was awarded.
Indianapolis arrived back at Mare Island on Oct 29, 1944 for overhaul. Lyle's service in the last engagements had not gone unnoticed. On Nov 1, 1944, he advanced from FCO3c to FC2c(T). The "T" indicates it was a temporary position. This was a common designation and most likely meant he was waiting for a spot to open so he could be moved into a permanent position.
Indy returned to the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor on Jan 20, 1945. She joined Task Force 58 on Feb 14th and took part in the action at Iwo Jima through March 1, 1945, earning a well deserved battle star. In mid-March, Indy took part in the Okinawa Gunto operation and was awarded her last battle star. It was during the operation, March 31, 1945, that Indy sustaining damage from a Japanese kamikaze plane resulting in the deaths of nine crewmembers and injuring 20 others. She was taken out of action and returned to Mare Island, CA, for repairs.
Lyle had been awarded a total of seven battle stars to display on his Asiatic-Pacific ribbon. He was not yet 21 years old.
Lyle remained at his well deserved rating FC2c for the remainder of his time on board Indianapolis. No doubt he would have advanced further if given the time, but it was not to be. He was lost at sea when Indianapolis was struck and sunk by two torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-58 on July 30, 1945.
Lyle's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously.
A beautiful marble cenotaph was placed in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, Sheridan, WY.
Fifteen months after Lyle's death, Oct 9, 1946, his father, Olan, committed suicide. He was one month shy of his 50th birthday. He was buried three days later in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery beside Lyle's cenotaph. Both markers are identical in size, shape and incised decorations.
Source Credits1930 US Census, WY, Sheridan Co, Beckton, Dist 0025; Enumerated April 11, 1930. HH #56; citing Olan C. Realing family.
1940 US Census, WY, Sheridan Co, Sheridan; Enumerated April 23, 1940. HH #106; citing Olan Realing family.
WY, Sheridan High School yearbook, "Bronkette"; citing Lyle Realing graduate of 1942.
The Macon Chronicle-Herald, (MO), Mon, Aug 13, 1945, p. 1; citing Kyle Realing MIA
The Macon Chronicle-Herald, (MO), Thur, Oct 10, 1946, p. 1; citing death of Kyle Realing's father
Navy Department, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information (1946): Combat Connected Naval Casualties, WWII, by States; Vol. MT-WY; Wyoming, p. 3; citing Lyle Olan Realing, FC2c
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55435835/lyle_olan-realing: accessed July 18, 2025), memorial page for Lyle Olan Realing (1925-30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 55435835, citing Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming.
State of WY, Dept of Health, Standard Certificate of Death, ; File #1946, Reg. #1733; citing Olan Realing.
Rank / Rating: FC2-Fire Controlman Second Class
ABBOTT, George Stanley 
FRONTINO, Vincent Fred 
AMICK, Homer Irwin