Lyle Tiberius Rourke
Expedition Commander
Age: 54
Birthplace: Beaumont, Texas
Expertise:
Joined the U.S. Army in July of 1875. Made Artillery Sgt. 1877. Fought at Wounded Knee uprising 1890. Censured for use of excessive force and refusal to acknowledge white flag of surrender. Graduated second in class from West Point Academy, 1886. Tour of duty with Army Rough Riders, 1888-1901. Wounded seven time in battle, commendation for valor, commendation for saving the life of a superior officer, commendation for leadership of a Company under fire, censure for summary execution of prisoners. Rose to rank of Captain on battlefield of Spanish-American War. Ranked Expert Marksman (awarded Golden Rifle four consecutive years). Retired from Army 1901 to become a hand-to-hand combat instructor at Fort Dix, Missouri. Also taught courses in survival tactics, strategy, and chess. Began freelance career in May 1903 for British National Museum. Led expedition to Valley of Kings in Egypt, 1903. Led return expedition to Egypt, 1905. Led expedition to Bolivia and Peru under Professor Thatch to retrieve Idol of the Sun, 1906-08. Led expedition to Antarctica 1909; credited with the discovery and destruction of lost city of Shub Nigruth. Led expedition to Iceland to retrieve Shepherd’s Journal 1911.
Background:
Born the son of a Calvary Officer, Lyle T. Rourke learned the transitory life of a military man at an early age. Rourke Sr. was killed at Battle of Spotsylvania, leaving behind his wife and only son, Lyle. After repeated repeated expulsions from boarding school (fighting), Rourke determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the military at the age of fifteen by lying to induction officer about his age. Rourke exibited a remarkable talent for leadership, owing to his analytical mind and charisma. He does not make friends easily. He is a pragmatist both personally and professionally; he tends to take what he needs and discards that which he considers “useless baggage.”
