Born: October 29, 1918
Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps Reserve Service# O-007002 FIGHTING SQUADRON 221 (VMF-221), MARINE AIR
GROUP 22 (MAG-22), NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY Date of Enlistment: September 19, 1940
Home or Place of Enlistment: Dingle, Idaho Killed in Action: June 4, 1942 Battle of Midway Island |
Biography:
Elwood Quayle Lindsay graduated from Montpelier High School in 1935. Prior to completing his college degree at Utah State Agricultural College he enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve on 19 Sept 1940 in Boise, ID as a Private First Class, Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve Class III (a). On 20 Sept, Private Lindsay was on 30 day active duty status under instruction for elimination flight training at the Marine Corps Reserve Aviation Unit (MCRAU), Naval Reserve Aviation Base (NRAB), Seattle, WA., as a Student Naval Aviation Pilot (SNAP). He detached to home and inactive duty status and to 13th Reserve District to await further orders. He returned to the MCRAU, NRAB, Naval Air Station (NAS), Seattle WA. where he was discharged on 14 Nov to accept appointment as an Aviation Cadet. On 15 Nov 1940, he accepted appointment as an Aviation Cadet with a date of rank of 01 Nov 1940. Aviation Cadet Lindsay began his flight training under instruction with Class 163-C at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, on 16 Feb 1941. According to Marine records, Lindsay was a student naval aviator at the US Naval Air Station, Miami, FL between 1-14 Oct 1941. On 14 Oct he accepted a commission as a 2nd Lt USMCR (AVC) to rank from 04 Aug 1941 when he probably completed his flight training in Pensacola, FL. He also received on the 14th his designation as a Naval Aviator effective on 16 Sept 1941. On 15 Oct 1941 he was transferred to SMAW, SMD, FMF, Naval Air Station, San Diego, CA. Lt Lindsay was a passenger on the USS President Hayes enroute to Ewa, Oahu, T.H. on 25 Jan 1942. Several months later, on 24 Mar 1942, 2nd Lt Lindsay reported aboard the USS Curtis (AV-4) from Hdqtrs Marine Air Group 21, 2nd MarAirWing, FMF, Ewa, Oahu, T.H. for transportation to Midway. On 28 Mar 1942 Lt Lindsay detached from the USS Curtiss to report to the Commanding Officer MarAirGroup 22, Midway Island for duty. He was assigned to VMF-221. Early on the morning of 4 Jun 1942 as a Japanese Striking Force approached Midway, Marine aircraft based on Midway took off to engage an incoming flight of enemy aircraft. VMF-221 achieved a momentary success when they surprised the large formation of Japanese bombers and escorting Zero fighters. The Marine Buffalo fighters were no match for the Zeroes however. Within moments, Lt Lindsey's aircraft was shot down. His remains were unrecoverable. He was declared missing in action on 04 Jun 1942. On 05 Jun 1943 he was declared “presumed dead.” |