Lindell, Keith G.
- Date of birth:
- June 10th, 1919 (Opheim/Montana, United States)
- Date of death:
- January 1st, 1981 (Fresno/California, United States)
- Buried on:
- United States Military Academy Post Cemetery
Plot: VI. Row: B. Grave: 79. - Nationality:
- American (1776 - present, Republic)
Biography
Career:
?- 1943: West Point;
?: Chinese American Composite Wing;
?: Commander, 28th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Fighter Group;
1949 - 1952: mathematics instructor, U.S. Naval Academy;
?: Head, Astronauts and Training Program: Project Mercury;
?: Head, Manned Space Vehicles. Los Angeles Air Force Station.
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Silver Star Medal (SSM)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Captain
- Unit:
- Commander, 28th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Fighter Group, U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- October 27th, 1944
"For gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force. On 10 August 1944 he was pilot of one of eight fighter type aircraft that strafed an enemy airdrome in China. Heavy ground fire was set up by the enemy and on the second run over the target his plane was struck by a shell. It entered the cockpit and exploded, sending shrapnel fragments into his chest and left leg. Despite loss of blood and pain from his wounds, he made three additional strafing passes, bringing his total of planes destroyed on the ground to four and sharing in the destruction of one hostile aircraft in the air. On the return trip to his home base he strafed two additional airdromes. His aggressive spirit, courage and skill have inspired all members of his squadron and reflect great credit on himself and the Army Air Forces."
Headquarters, 14th Air Force, General Orders No. 81 (October 27, 1944)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Captain
- Unit:
- Commander, 28th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Fighter Group, U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- January 17th, 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 3d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force. Flying from bases in China as Pilot of fighter type aircraft, this officer distinguished himself while participating in fifty combat missions completed between 2 December 1943 to 12 October 1944. Although fire from enemy ground installations and hostile aircraft was encountered on many of his flights, he carried out his missions with aggressive determination and is credited with having inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in personnel and materiel. He flew dive-bombing, strafing, bomber escort, reconnaissance and interception missions directed against enemy installations, lines of communication and supply and troop concentrations. Many of his flights were made through adverse weather and over mountainous areas with a minimum of navigational aids. The outstanding skill and courage of this officer demonstrated in combat against the enemy reflect great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces."
Headquarters, 14th Air Force, General Orders No. 5 (January 17, 1945)
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 3d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force. Flying from bases in China as Pilot of fighter type aircraft, this officer distinguished himself while participating in fifty combat missions completed between 2 December 1943 to 12 October 1944. Although fire from enemy ground installations and hostile aircraft was encountered on many of his flights, he carried out his missions with aggressive determination and is credited with having inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in personnel and materiel. He flew dive-bombing, strafing, bomber escort, reconnaissance and interception missions directed against enemy installations, lines of communication and supply and troop concentrations. Many of his flights were made through adverse weather and over mountainous areas with a minimum of navigational aids. The outstanding skill and courage of this officer demonstrated in combat against the enemy reflect great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces."
Headquarters, 14th Air Force, General Orders No. 5 (January 17, 1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Second Air Medal awarded in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
Citation:
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy for NASA Manned Space Vehicles, Deputy for Engineering, Space Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, from 20 January 1959 to 1 November 1962. During this time, Colonel Lindell was primarily responsible for the training programs of the Project MERCURY Astronauts, for assessing the merits of proposed training exercises, for accepting or rejecting a variety of proposed training curricula, and for the direction and supervision of those programs which were accepted. In addition, as the most qualified R & D officer assigned to Project MERCURY, Colonel Lindell, by the exercise of judicious judgment, evaluated test data from the components of the MERCURY capsule and the booster vehicle, made numerous recommendations concerning their development and modification. As a result of his professional competence, initiative, resourcefulness, perseverance, and subordination of all personal interests in this critical assignment, Colonel Lindell has brought great credit upon himself, the Air Force Systems Command, and the United States Air Force."
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy for NASA Manned Space Vehicles, Deputy for Engineering, Space Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, from 20 January 1959 to 1 November 1962. During this time, Colonel Lindell was primarily responsible for the training programs of the Project MERCURY Astronauts, for assessing the merits of proposed training exercises, for accepting or rejecting a variety of proposed training curricula, and for the direction and supervision of those programs which were accepted. In addition, as the most qualified R & D officer assigned to Project MERCURY, Colonel Lindell, by the exercise of judicious judgment, evaluated test data from the components of the MERCURY capsule and the booster vehicle, made numerous recommendations concerning their development and modification. As a result of his professional competence, initiative, resourcefulness, perseverance, and subordination of all personal interests in this critical assignment, Colonel Lindell has brought great credit upon himself, the Air Force Systems Command, and the United States Air Force."
Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Rosette (6th Class)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded with a campaign star.
Sixth Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
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