Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Keith
G.
Lindell
June 10, 1919

–

January 1, 1981

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

Keith Lindell graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1943. He was credited with destroying a total of THREE enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat during World War II. He served at a mathematics instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1949 to 1952.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    3d Fighter Group

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 2, 1943 – November 20, 1944
    Headquarters, 14th Air Force, General Orders No. 5 (January 17, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Keith G. Lindell (ASN: 0-25442), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 3d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force. Flying from bases in China as Pilot of fighter type aircraft, this officer distinguished himself while participating in fifty combat missions completed between 2 December 1943 to 12 October 1944. Although fire from enemy ground installations and hostile aircraft was encountered on many of his flights, he carried out his missions with aggressive determination and is credited with having inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in personnel and materiel. He flew dive-bombing, strafing, bomber escort, reconnaissance and interception missions directed against enemy installations, lines of communication and supply and troop concentrations. Many of his flights were made through adverse weather and over mountainous areas with a minimum of navigational aids. The outstanding skill and courage of this officer demonstrated in combat against the enemy reflect great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    3d Fighter Group

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 10, 1944
    Headquarters, 14th Air Force, General Orders No. 81 (October 27, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Keith G. Lindell (ASN: 0-25442), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane with the 3d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force. On 10 August 1944 he was pilot of one of eight fighter type aircraft that strafed an enemy airdrome in China. Heavy ground fire was set up by the enemy and on the second run over the target his plane was struck by a shell. It entered the cockpit and exploded, sending shrapnel fragments into his chest and left leg. Despite loss of blood and pain from his wounds, he made three additional strafing passes, bringing his total of planes destroyed on the ground to four and sharing in the destruction of one hostile aircraft in the air. On the return trip to his home base he strafed two additional airdromes. His aggressive spirit, courage and skill have inspired all members of his squadron and reflect great credit on himself and the Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Air Force Systems Command

    Action Date:

    January 20, 1959 – November 1, 1962

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Keith G. Lindell (AFSN: 0-9754A/0-25442), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy for NASA Manned Space Vehicles, Deputy for Engineering, Space Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, from 20 January 1959 to 1 November 1962. During this time, Colonel Lindell was primarily responsible for the training programs of the Project MERCURY Astronauts, for assessing the merits of proposed training exercises, for accepting or rejecting a variety of proposed training curricula, and for the direction and supervision of those programs which were accepted. In addition, as the most qualified R & D officer assigned to Project MERCURY, Colonel Lindell, by the exercise of judicious judgment, evaluated test data from the components of the MERCURY capsule and the booster vehicle, made numerous recommendations concerning their development and modification. As a result of his professional competence, initiative, resourcefulness, perseverance, and subordination of all personal interests in this critical assignment, Colonel Lindell has brought great credit upon himself, the Air Force Systems Command, and the United States Air Force.