Charles Lindbergh Passes Away

Today in Masonic history Charles Lindbergh, American Aviator, passes away in 1974.

Charles Lindbergh, who went by such nicknames as the Lone Eagle, Slim, and most famously Luck Lindy, was an American Aviator, Author, Inventor, Explorer and social activist.

Lindbergh was born on February 4th, 1902 in Detroit Michigan. He spent much of his childhood in Little Falls, Minnesota and Washington, D.C. He attended a variety of schools across the country and finally graduated Cass Technical High School where his mother was a chemistry teacher.

Lindbergh's passion for any kind of motorized transportation led him to becoming a pilot. He was spent several years barnstorming before joining the U.S. Army Air Service. After graduationg from flight school he had his first serious accident during combat maneuvers which forced Lindbergh to bail out.

Lindbergh was thrust suddenly onto the international stage in 1927 when he made his Orteig Prize-winning solo flight from Roosevelt Field on Long Island to Le Bourget Field in Paris. His flight started on May 20th and ended on his landing in Paris on May 21st. He was the first person in history to be in New York one day and Paris the next.

Tragedy struck in 1932 when Lindbergh's infant son was kidnapped and murdered. The event was deemed "The Crime of the Century" by the media at the time.

Lindbergh passed away on August 26th, 1974.

Lindbergh was a member of Keystone Lodge No. 243 in St. Louis, Mo.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.