Robert Opie Lindsay

Lieutenant (later Colonel) Robert Opie Lindsay (25 December 1894 – 1 August 1952) was an American World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories in the closing days of the war. He returned to duty during World War II; at one point he commanded Fort Sill, Oklahoma as well as starting the National Air Guard of Oklahoma .

Biography Early life Lindsay was born on December 25, 1894. He attended North Carolina State University and majored in textiles while also being a member of the basketball team. He also served as business manager of the school paper and editor of the Agromeck. He became the only North Carolina-born pilot to earn the distinction of flying ace, with six confirmed kills in air battles, while twice being shot down from 20,000 feet. His brother was William "Bill" Lindsay who played major league baseball for the Cleveland Naps.

Service in World War I

Lindsay joined the U.S. Signal Corps in 1917. After training in the U.S. and France, he was shipped off to the 139th Aero Squadron. He was slightly wounded on the first day of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, but recovered to help shoot down two Pfalz D.IIIs on 18 September 1918. He would score four more victories in the remaining weeks of the war, and be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. His citation tells the tale: He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two brothers, and a sister.