Origin

Thomas Kyle was born in Australasia and traveled around a lot with his father who was a traveling salesmen.  His father dealt with transporter technology and Kyle was fascinated by it.  He ended up studying everything he could about it and then joined Starfleet.  After Starfleet Academy Kyle requested and got a command on the U.S.S. Enterprise where he served with distinction.  He later served on the U.S.S. Reliant.  
 
His service aboard the Enterprise and Reliant are significant because while he was on the Enterprise he was there when Khan Noonian Singh was revived from hibernation and marooned on Ceti Alpha V.  He was also on the Reliant when Singh took over the Reliant and marooned him on Ceti Alpha V where he nearly died.  Kyle is currently serving on the U.S.S. Hood.

Creation

Thomas Kyle was created for the original Star trek television series.  He was a minor character that appeared in many episodes.  He was never given a first name in the show or in the film Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan.  In comics he is known as Thomas Kyle, but he has also been referred to as Winston Kyle and John Kyle.