Robert Opie Lindsay

He was born on 25 December 1894. He attended North Carolina State University and majored in textiles[2].

Lindsay joined the U.S. Signal Corps in 1917. After training in the U.S. and France, he was shipped off to the 139th Aero Squadron. He was slightly wounded on the first day of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, but recovered to help shoot down two Pfalz D.IIIs on 18 September 1918. He would score four more victories in the remaining weeks of the war, and be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. His citation tells the tale:[1]

"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Opie Lindsay, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Bantheville, France, October 27, 1918. In company with two other planes, Lieutenant Lindsay attacked three enemy planes (Fokker type) at an altitude of 3,000 meters, and after a sharp fight brought down one of them. While engaged with the two remaining machines, eight more planes (Fokker type) came at him from straight ahead. He flew straight through their formation, gained an advantageous position, and brought down another plane before he withdrew from the combat. General Orders No. 46, W.D., 1919"[1]

Lindsay returned to his nation's service during World War II. After joining the U.S. Army Air Corps, he rose to the rank of Colonel and commanded Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He retired in 1945.[1]

He then became a founding member of the Civil Aeronautics Administration (United States), and helped foster Berry Field, which became Nashville International Airport.[1]

Robert Opie Lindsay died on 1 August 1952 in a Fort Worth, Texas hospital after undergoing surgery on 24 July.[3] He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two brothers, and a sister.[4]