Charles Lindberg by Taylor Damrow

Charles Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist. He spent the majority of his childhood residing in Detroit, Michigan. Lindbergh pursued the career in aviation and became a US Mail pilot. At the age of 25 Lindbergh emerged from the shadows of a normal American citizen life when he was struck with instant fame after a solo flight across the Atlantic. The mission consisted of a one way flight from New York to Paris. This feat had never been achieved before Lindbergh did it firsthand. Many thought he was too inexperienced for his age to complete the mission, but he proved everyone wrong on May 21, 1927 with his plane “The Spirit of Saint Louis”. He turned into a household name overnight, some referring to him as “Lucky Lindy” and “The Lone Eagle”.

Lindbergh put his fame to use, promoting the advancement and development of aviation as a whole. Unfortunately, his fame brought great sorrow to himself and his family. In 1932 Lindbergh’s infant son was kidnapped and murdered. The Lindbergh’s fled to Europe as a result to the hardships in which they had endured. However Lindbergh and his family returned once again to the United States after the surprise attack of Pearl Harbor. Lindbergh was an outspoken advocate of keeping the U.S. out of world conflicts. Even with the resentment of being involved in a world war, Lindbergh carried out many combat missions in the Pacific Theatre as a civilian consultant, because the president wouldn’t allow Lindbergh to be reinstated. Charles Lindbergh was an icon of the 20’s and 30’s expressing his talents in many forms.