Eugene E. Lindsey
Eugene E. Lindsey | |
|---|---|
 Lindsey c. 1929 | |
| Born | July 2, 1905 Sprague, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 1942 (aged 36) near Midway Atoll |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1927–1942 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Commands held | Torpedo Squadron Six |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart |
Eugene Elbert Lindsey (July 2, 1905 – June 4, 1942) was an officer and aviator in the United States Navy. He is the namesake of the destroyer USS Lindsey (DD-771).
Lindsey was born in
On 7 December 1941, Lindsey was aboard Enterprise when he received word (along with most of the ship's company) of the
Lindsey's first real combat occurred on 1 February 1942, when he led VT-6's first division in two strikes against Japanese targets in the
On 24 February 1942, Lindsey again led nine bomb-equipped TBDs as part of Enterprise's strike against
On 28 May 1942, as Enterprise departed Pearl Harbor in preparation for the Battle of Midway, Lindsey made a bad landing while leading his squadron aboard. As his plane neared touchdown, it suddenly stalled, struck the deck hard, and careened over the port side. The destroyer USS Monaghan rescued Lindsey and his crew (ACRM Charles T. Grenat and Machinist Thomas E. Schaffer).[8] According to the Enterprise log, Lindsey suffered "several cracked ribs, [a] punctured lung, multiple cuts, and other lacerations."[9] With such severe injuries, his shipmates expected him to be sidelined for the coming battle.
Lindsey, however, refused to let his injuries prevent him from leading his squadron. On 4 June, the day of the battle, he surprised Air Group Commander
Lindsey died in action on 4 June 1942 with his rear-seat gunner, Charles T. Grenat, ACRM, in the
Awards and honors
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| Naval Aviator Badge | |||||
| Navy Cross | Distinguished Flying Cross | ||||
| Purple Heart | Navy Presidential Unit Citation
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Fleet clasp
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| American Campaign Medal | bronze stars
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World War II Victory Medal | |||
- Lieutenant Commander Eugene Elbert Lindsey
- U.S. Navy
- Date Of Action: June 4, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Eugene Elbert Lindsey, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Squadron Commander of Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), attached to the USS Enterprise (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Participating in a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese invasion fleet, Lieutenant Commander Lindsey pressed home his attack with relentless determination in the face of a terrific barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbably the occasion may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude. His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to the success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.[15]
Namesake
In 1944, the destroyer USS Lindsey (DD-771) was named in his honor.
Portrayals in film
He was portrayed by Robert S. Woods in the TV miniseries War and Remembrance, Parts II & III (1988).
Eugene E. Lindsey was portrayed by Darren Criss in the film Midway (2019).
References
- ^ Lucky Bag. Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy. First Class, United States Naval Academy. 1927.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Lucky Bag. Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy. First Class, United States Naval Academy. 1927.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "LCDR Eugene e. Lindsey of VT-6".
- ^ Cressman and Wenger, Steady Nerves and Stout Hearts, pp 49, 52-53
- ^ Action Report for 1 February 1942 at http://cv6.org/ship/logs/action19420201.htm
- ^ Lundstrom, The First Team, p.112-113
- ^ Lundstrom, The First Team, p.118
- ^ "80-G-7748 Lieutenant Commander Eugene e. Lindsey, USN, Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6)".
- ^ Quoted in Prange, Miracle At Midway, p.120
- ^ Lord, Incredible Victory, p.92
- ^ "VMH: Eugene e. Lindsey, LCDR, Usn".
- ISBN 0-929521-40-4.
- ^ "Navy.togetherweserved: Lindsey, Eugene Elbert, LCDR"
- ^ "Destroyer Photo Index DD-771 / DM-32 / MMD-32 USS LINDSEY".
- ^ "Valor awards for Eugene Lindsey". Military Times. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
Bibliography
- Cressman, Robert J., and Wenger, J. Michael, Steady Nerves and Stout Hearts: The Enterprise (CV-6) Air Group and Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., Missoula 1990. ISBN 0929521250
- ISBN 1-58080-059-9.
- Lundstrom, John B. (1984). The First Team: Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-471-X.
- ISBN 0-07-050672-8.
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