"Lindbergh's Secret" by Domenic DeNardo
This print depicts Charles Lindbergh as he secretly flies the P-38 on combat missions with the 475th
Fighter Group. Lindberg flew with the 475th from June 27th to August 13th, 1944, until he was sent
to Owi Island to help Joe Foss and Marion Carl improve the efficiency of the F4U Corsair during dive
bombing missions.
Fighter Group. Lindberg flew with the 475th from June 27th to August 13th, 1944, until he was sent
to Owi Island to help Joe Foss and Marion Carl improve the efficiency of the F4U Corsair during dive
bombing missions.
It was mid-afternoon, June 26, 1944, and Colonel Charles MacDonald was setting down to a
checker game with newly promoted Lt. Colonel Meryl Smith, when Charles Lindbergh knocked on
his screen door and introduced himself. MacDonald didn't quite catch the name and resumed the
game. Lindbergh explained that General Donald Hutchinson, 3rd Air Task Force commander, sent
him over to discuss combat operations of the P-38. Questions by Lindbergh were unusually
intelligent and technical. MacDonald asked the man if he was a pilot and after a startling recognition
realized he indeed was Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh as a representative of United Aircraft, had
already made valuable suggestions regarding the F4U Corsair.
The conversation drew more attention from MacDonald and Smith and the session went on into
early evening and attracted other pilots including Major Thomas McGuire. It was finally decided to
take Lindbergh up for an operational flight and show him what these aces were talking about.
MacDonald and Smith realized that they were taking the responsibility for letting a civilian in his
forties go along on a combat mission. Smith suggested that Lindbergh stay with the 475th if he
were to go on the mission. They all agreed and Lindbergh began his two month stay with the 475th,
his longest stay with any air unit in the Pacific.
It was raining at 5:30 in the morning on June 27 when Lindbergh started to prepare for the mission.
Excited groundcrewmen were already on hand when Lindbergh, MacDonald, Smith, and McGuire, a
very distinguished company of pilots due to take off at about 10:30, appeared on the flight line.
Everyone made sure that all was perfect with Lindbergh's aircraft and equipment.
When the flight took off, Lindbergh easily slipped in on the wing of Major McGuire. MacDonald
noticed that Lindbergh flew perfect formation. It was even more impressive that he flew so well
considering that he had checked out in the P-38 only a few days earlier and flown to Hollandia in
Dick Bong's old P-38. On this flight Japanese ships and barges were sighted. Lindbergh took his
turn in the strafing circle and fired burst into the targets. One ship began to flame and it's fuel tanks
exploded an instant after Lindbergh's P-38 cleared the mast by about thirty feet.
In the following days Lindbergh was in the air for every possible mission. His achievements
included bombing Japanese bases and ships, strafing airstrips and downing a Japanese Ki-51
Sonia aircraft, possibly piloted by Captain Saburo Shimada, commanding officer of the 73rd
Independent Chutai.
On August 13, General George C. Kenney sent word that Lindbergh was not to fly any more
combat missions. Lindbergh then went to Owi Island and was greeted by Marine aces Joe Foss
and Marion Carl. His new work assignment was to improve the efficiency of the F4U Corsair
divebombing missions. Lindbergh had flown 50 missions with the Army and Marines by the time he
returned to the United States, accruing 178 hours of combat flight time. With his active war
"service" ended, Lindbergh was awarded the distinguished Service Cross.
checker game with newly promoted Lt. Colonel Meryl Smith, when Charles Lindbergh knocked on
his screen door and introduced himself. MacDonald didn't quite catch the name and resumed the
game. Lindbergh explained that General Donald Hutchinson, 3rd Air Task Force commander, sent
him over to discuss combat operations of the P-38. Questions by Lindbergh were unusually
intelligent and technical. MacDonald asked the man if he was a pilot and after a startling recognition
realized he indeed was Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh as a representative of United Aircraft, had
already made valuable suggestions regarding the F4U Corsair.
The conversation drew more attention from MacDonald and Smith and the session went on into
early evening and attracted other pilots including Major Thomas McGuire. It was finally decided to
take Lindbergh up for an operational flight and show him what these aces were talking about.
MacDonald and Smith realized that they were taking the responsibility for letting a civilian in his
forties go along on a combat mission. Smith suggested that Lindbergh stay with the 475th if he
were to go on the mission. They all agreed and Lindbergh began his two month stay with the 475th,
his longest stay with any air unit in the Pacific.
It was raining at 5:30 in the morning on June 27 when Lindbergh started to prepare for the mission.
Excited groundcrewmen were already on hand when Lindbergh, MacDonald, Smith, and McGuire, a
very distinguished company of pilots due to take off at about 10:30, appeared on the flight line.
Everyone made sure that all was perfect with Lindbergh's aircraft and equipment.
When the flight took off, Lindbergh easily slipped in on the wing of Major McGuire. MacDonald
noticed that Lindbergh flew perfect formation. It was even more impressive that he flew so well
considering that he had checked out in the P-38 only a few days earlier and flown to Hollandia in
Dick Bong's old P-38. On this flight Japanese ships and barges were sighted. Lindbergh took his
turn in the strafing circle and fired burst into the targets. One ship began to flame and it's fuel tanks
exploded an instant after Lindbergh's P-38 cleared the mast by about thirty feet.
In the following days Lindbergh was in the air for every possible mission. His achievements
included bombing Japanese bases and ships, strafing airstrips and downing a Japanese Ki-51
Sonia aircraft, possibly piloted by Captain Saburo Shimada, commanding officer of the 73rd
Independent Chutai.
On August 13, General George C. Kenney sent word that Lindbergh was not to fly any more
combat missions. Lindbergh then went to Owi Island and was greeted by Marine aces Joe Foss
and Marion Carl. His new work assignment was to improve the efficiency of the F4U Corsair
divebombing missions. Lindbergh had flown 50 missions with the Army and Marines by the time he
returned to the United States, accruing 178 hours of combat flight time. With his active war
"service" ended, Lindbergh was awarded the distinguished Service Cross.
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