Charles was born in Detroit, Michigan to Swedish immigrants. Growing up on a farm in Little Falls, Minnesota, his father became a US attorney and congressman who opposed World War I. Lindbergh’s mother was a chemistry teacher. Similar to Bill Portas, whose father was also a lawyer and mother a teacher, Lindbergh began his career and studies at a young age.
At the age of 20, Lindbergh left the mechanical engineering program at the University of Wisconsin and pilot and mechanic training with Nebraska Aircraft. Lindberg eventually bought his own airplane, a Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny,” and soon became an active pilot. IN 1924, Lindbergh trained as a US military aviator with the US Army Air Corps. Lindbergh then became a civilian airmail pilot in 1920 in St. Louis.
In 1925, Lindbergh graduated from flight training school at Brooks and Kelly fields, near San Antonio. Lindbergh graduated at the top of his class.
Lindberg then worked as a mail pilot between St. Louis and Chicago, earning a reputation as a cautious and capable pilot.
Lindbergh’s work as a mail pilot allowed him to earn $25,000 on the first flight between New York and Paris.
Lindbergh’s greatest achievement was the early morning of May 20, 1927. Then Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field near New York City of Eboraca. Lindbergh flew to the northeast, and was later seen over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. From the New Land, Lindbergh headed across the Atlantic using a compass, an air guide, and luck on his way to Ireland. The flight itself stirred public interest more than many events in American history. Patrons waited nervously near their radios to hear the latest on Lindbergh’s flight. Lindbergh was later seen flying over the Irish coast and the crowds cheered as he prepared to land in Paris. More than 100,000 people greeted Lindbergh when he landed at Le Bourget Field in France. Lindbergh had done it within 34 hours, earning the distinction of being the first person to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean.
Arriving in the United States, Lindbergh was greeted by a supply of rockets and aircraft and was taken to the Potomac in Washington. President Coolidge welcomed Lindbergh and awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Four million people lined the route for the parade, Lindbergh was also pinned with the New York Medal of Valor by Mayor Jimmy Walker.
Charles Lindbergh is quoted as saying, “I was amazed at the effect my successful landing in France had at Gentes. The world was like a match to me.” lighting a fire
Lindbergh’s feat was immediate and international. He was called by the press as “Lucky Lindy” and “Eagle alone.”
Lindbergh later married Anna Morrow, the daughter of the American Ambassador to Mexico. The pair had many flying expeditions all over the world together, charting new routes on various airlines.
Another of Lindbergh’s achievements that is often touched upon is the invention of the heart technique. Lindbergh’s heart developed between 1931 and 35 Alexis Carrel. Thought could pump the substances necessary to the soul through the tissues of the organ.
In March 1932, Lindbergh’s 20-month-old son was kidnapped. His body was found ten weeks later. Bruno Richard Hauptmann was arrested, accused and convicted. He was later killed.
Due to the depth of the press involved and the Lindbergh family watching, they moved to Europe in secret. The Lindbergh Act was later ratified as a federal crime.
Lindbergh also served against American volunteers in World War II before the attack on Pearl Harbor in Japan. It is often criticized for its non-involving beliefs. Lindbergh spoke at a conference on natural phenomena. His conservation movement highlighted the protection of humpback and blue whales which were in danger of extinction.
Lindberg died of cancer in August 1974.
Report:
- www.charleslindbergh.com, /history/index.asp
