Eugene E. Lindsey

Who was Eugene E. Lindsey?

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

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. Fortunately, the destroyer Monaghan rescued Lindsey and his crew. 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. VT-6 lost 10 out of 14 planes. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his important contribution to this great American victory.