Lieutenant Lindsay earned two Silver Stars before his Navy Cross mission, in which as leader of a squadron of 18 Hellcat fighters he had a major role in sinking the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku, one of the ships that attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The carrier and at least 23 other Japanese ships were sunk in the five-day naval battle in October 1944. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down eight enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
Sponsored by:
Elvin
Lester
Lindsay
June 25, 1920
–
August 7, 2007
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)Action Date:
August 5, 1944
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 366 (August 1947)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Elvin Lester Lindsay, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), embarked in U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), over the Bonin Islands, on 5 August 1944.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander [then Lieutenant] Elvin Lester Lindsay, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander [then Lieutenant] Elvin Lester Lindsay, United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)Action Date:
October 25, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant] Elvin Lester Lindsay, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Flight Leader in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), while assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Skillfully directing his escort group on a strike against major enemy surface units, Lieutenant Commander Lindsay boldly dived through the intense barrage of hostile anti-aircraft fire and expertly maneuvered his plane to deliver a bombing and strafing attack upon a Japanese aircraft carrier, leaving her burning and in a sinking condition. During the ensuing action, he valiantly led his fighters through anti-aircraft fire to deliver’ a strafing raid upon a light cruiser. By his brilliant airmanship, indomitable courage and inspiring leadership, Lieutenant Commander Lindsay contributed materially to the infliction of overwhelming damage upon the Japanese Fleet during this Battle. Commander Lindsay’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.