Patrick Nieson Lynch Bellinger

Patrick Nieson Lynch Bellinger CBE (October 8, 1885 – May 30, 1962) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral. A Naval aviator and a naval aviation pioneer, he participated in the Trans-Atlantic flight from Newfoundland to Azores in May 1919 and was decorated with Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor.

During the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Bellinger served as Commander, Patrol Wing Two and he was responsible for sending the message, "Air raid, Pearl Harbor. This is no drill", which was the first notice to the outside world of the attack. He was later appointed Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic and distinguished himself during the U-boat campaign with Atlantic Fleet.

Early career Early service Bellinger was born on October 8, 1885, in Cheraw, South Carolina, as the son of Carnot Ambrose Bellinger and Eleanor Lynch. He was raised by his maternal aunt when his mother and sister died a few years after his birth. His maternal great-uncle was Patrick Neeson Lynch, 3rd Bishop of Charleston.

He graduated as passed midshipman with Bachelor of Science degree on June 6, 1907, and was assigned to newly commissioned battleship USS Vermont. Bellinger took part in a cruise around the world with the Great White Fleet, visiting the Port of Spain, Rio de Janeiro and Punta Arenas. During the stop in San Francisco in May 1908, he was transferred to the battleship USS Wisconsin and continued in the cruise, visiting Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Manila, Yokohama, Colombo, Suez Canal, Port Said, Gibraltar and then crossed the Atlantic to return to Hampton Roads in February 1909.

On January 10, 1914, Bellinger together with Lieutenants John H. Towers and Henry C. Mustin arrived to Pensacola, Florida, where they established first Naval aviation training station. The first aviation unit consisted of nine officers, 23 enlisted men, and seven aircraft. Bellinger remained in that assignment until mid-April 1914, when he assumed command of Aviation Section aboard battleship USS Mississippi.

Bellinger was transferred to the Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington, D.C., in June 1933 and assumed duty as Head, Plans Division and later of the Administration Division. He served under then-Chief of the Bureau and future Chief of Naval Operations, Ernest J. King and made recommendations to the Navy's General Board that oversaw all military spending. Bellinger recommended the types of aircraft the Navy should acquire and their rate of production, the scope of new construction at shore stations, and the distribution, organization, and assignment of all aircraft squadrons and detachments. While in this capacity, Bellinger was promoted to Captain on June 30, 1935.

In July 1938, Bellinger was appointed commanding officer of the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia, the base he had commanded in 1917. He was responsible for the civilians who repaired, overhauled and assembled aircraft. But he also commanded and trained 44 officers and 450 enlisted men assigned to Patrol Wing Five. These planes were later used to search for German submarines from the Eastern Shore of Virginia to Wilmington, North Carolina.

At the time of Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he was present on Oahu and was responsible for sending the message, "Air raid, Pearl Harbor. This is no drill", which was the first notice to the outside world of the attack. The majority of his seaplanes were destroyed in the attack, because they were parked closely together in the middle of the runways as a precaution against sabotage.

Bellinger was relieved of all active duties on July 7, 1947, and retired on October 1 that year, completing forty years of active service. For his service with the Atlantic Fleet, Bellinger was decorated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The Allies bestowed him with Order of the British Empire by King George VI; and Legion of Honour and Croix de guerre 1939–1945 with Palm by General Charles de Gaulle for his efforts during the securing of supply convoys and battle with enemy submarines.

Retirement

Following his retirement from the Navy, Bellinger retired to his home, "Earlhurst" in Covington, Virginia, and worked for ten years as President of Craig-Botetourt Electric Corporation. He was then involved in farming and was active in the local retired officer groups until his death. In April 1955, the two-mile long road at Naval Air Station, Norfolk was renamed from East Field Boulevard to Bellinger Boulevard. Bellinger was also a member of the Early Birds of Aviation. Bellinger was married twice: his first wife Elsie McKeown died of pneumonia in 1920 and he then married Miriam Benoist (1890–1986), with whom he had four children.

In 1981, he was chosen as one of the first twelve pioneer naval aviators to be admitted to the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.