Eugene E. Lindsey

Eugene E. Lindsey
Eugene E. Lindsey
Born	July 2, 1905; Sprague, Washington
Died	June 4, 1942 (aged 36); near Midway Atoll
Allegiance	United States of America
Years of service	1927–1942
Rank	Lieutenant Commander, USN
Commands held	Torpedo Squadron Six
Battles/wars	World War II; *Battle of Midway
Awards	Navy Cross

Eugene E. Lindsey, born in Sprague, Washington, 2 July 1905, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1927. After duty in Nevada (BB-36) and Saratoga (CV-3) he completed flight training in 1929, and served with a bombing squadron in Lexington (CV-2) and an observation squadron in Maryland (BB-46). From 3 June 1940 he commanded Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6), which flew Douglas TBD-1 "Devastator" torpedo bombers, in Enterprise (CV-6).^[1]

Lindsey was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for successful leadership of his squadron in attacks on Kwajalein and Wotje in the Marshalls 1 February 1942.

Lindsey made a bad landing when the Enterprise Air Group returned to the ship on 28 May 1942. The destroyer Monaghan rescued Lindsey and his crew (ARM1c Charles T. Grant, Capt. Thomas E. Schaffer). Lindsey refused to let the injuries he sustained in the crash, however, keep him from leading his squadron into battle. He died in action 4 June 1942 with his rear-seat gunner C.T. Grant, ACRM, in the Battle of Midway, when their Douglas TBD Devastator was shot down by Japanese A6M2 Zero fighters, while attacking the aircraft carrier Kaga.^[2] VT-6 lost 10 out of 14 planes. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his important contribution to this great American victory.^[3]

Namesake

In 1944, the destroyer USS Lindsey (DD-771) was named in his honor.

References

^ http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-l/e-lindsy.htm
^ *Cressman, Robert J.; et al. (1990). "A Glorious page in our history," Adm. Chester Nimitz, 1942: the Battle of Midway, 4–6 June 1942. Missoula, Mont.: Pictorial Histories Pub. Co. p. 94. ISBN 0-929521-40-4.
^ http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/771.htm

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

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[1] ttp://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-l/e-lindsy.htm

[2] *Cressman, Robert J.; et al. (1990). "A Glorious page in our history," Adm. Chester Nimitz, 1942: the Battle of Midway, 4–6 June 1942. Missoula, Mont.: Pictorial Histories Pub. Co. p. 94. ISBN 0-929521-40-4.

[3] ttp://www.navsource.org/archives/05/771.htm

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