Medal of Honor, Darrell R. Lindsey – World War II – August 9, 1944

Darrell R. Lindsey

World War II 

August 9, 1944

In the summer of 1944, as Allied forces closed in on Paris, one bridge remained vital to German movement—the heavily defended L’Isle Adam railroad bridge over the Seine. Leading 30 B-26 bombers into a storm of enemy fire, Captain Darrell R. Lindsey refused to abandon the mission or his crew, holding his burning aircraft steady long enough for every man aboard to escape—except himself.

Summary of Action:
On August 9, 1944, Captain Lindsey commanded a formation of 30 B-26 medium bombers in a high-risk mission to destroy the strategically critical L’Isle Adam bridge in occupied France. With most bridges over the Seine already destroyed, this crossing was vital for the enemy’s troop and supply movements to Paris. Shortly after entering enemy territory, his aircraft was struck repeatedly by accurate antiaircraft fire, with a direct hit igniting the right engine in flames. Blown out of formation by the explosion, Lindsey skillfully fought his way back into the lead position without disrupting the bombing run. Fully aware the aircraft could explode at any moment, he pressed forward and led his formation over the target, dropping their bombs with devastating effect.

After clearing the objective, Lindsey ordered his crew to bail out. He kept the plane level and steady while each man escaped, refusing a suggestion to lower the landing gear to facilitate his own exit because it might endanger the bombardier’s chances. Moments after the last crewman leapt clear, the right fuel tank exploded. The aircraft, engulfed in flames, plunged into the ground, killing Lindsey instantly. His selfless actions ensured the mission’s success and the survival of his crew.

Medal of Honor Citation:
On 9 August 1944, Capt. Lindsey led a formation of 30 B-26 medium bombers in a hazardous mission to destroy the strategic enemy-held L’Isle Adam railroad bridge over the Seine in occupied France. With most of the bridges over the Seine destroyed, the heavily fortified L’Isle Adam bridge was of inestimable value to the enemy in moving troops, supplies, and equipment to Paris. Capt. Lindsey was fully aware of the fierce resistance that would be encountered. Shortly after reaching enemy territory, the formation was buffeted with heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire. By skillful evasive action, Capt. Lindsey was able to elude much of the enemy flak, but just before entering the bombing run his B-26 was peppered with holes. During the bombing run, the enemy fire was even more intense, and Capt. Lindsey’s right engine received a direct hit and burst into flames. Despite the fact that his ship was hurled out of formation by the violence of the concussion, Capt. Lindsey brilliantly maneuvered back into the lead position without disrupting the flight. Fully aware that the gasoline tanks might explode at any moment, Capt. Lindsey gallantly elected to continue the perilous bombing run. With fire streaming from his right engine and his right wing half enveloped in flames, he led his formation over the target upon which the bombs were dropped with telling effect. Immediately after the objective was attacked, Capt. Lindsey gave the order for the crew to parachute from the doomed aircraft. With magnificent coolness and superb pilotage, and without regard for his own life, he held the swiftly descending airplane in a steady glide until the members of the crew could jump to safety. With the right wing completely enveloped in flames and an explosion of the gasoline tank imminent, Capt. Lindsey still remained unperturbed. The last man to leave the stricken plane was the bombardier, who offered to lower the wheels so that Capt. Lindsey might escape from the nose. Realizing that this might throw the aircraft into an uncontrollable spin and jeopardize the bombardier’s chances to escape, Capt. Lindsey refused the offer. Immediately after the bombardier had bailed out, and before Capt. Lindsey was able to follow, the right gasoline tank exploded. The aircraft, sheathed in fire, went into a steep dive and was seen to explode as it crashed. All who are living today from this plane owe their lives to the fact that Capt. Lindsey remained cool and showed supreme courage in this emergency.