Charles Lindbergh

King Albert

Charles Lindbergh met King Albert of Belgium during his post-flight tour, receiving royal honors and admiration.

Myron T. Herrick

Myron T. Herrick, the U.S. Ambassador to France, acted as Lindbergh's key diplomatic liaison and supporter in Paris.

Mrs. Evangeline Lindbergh

Evangeline Lindbergh is Charles Lindbergh's mother, who supported his aviation ambitions and shared in his public triumph.

Madame Nungesser

Madame Nungesser, mother of the missing aviator Charles Nungesser, met Lindbergh in a poignant moment of shared aviation loss and hope.

Sir Samuel Hoare

Sir Samuel Hoare, British Air Minister, officially welcomed Lindbergh to England and facilitated his diplomatic engagements.

Fitzhugh Green

Fitzhugh Green was a journalist and author who assisted Lindbergh with his early memoir and public relations.

Raymond Orteig

Raymond Orteig offered the Orteig Prize that motivated Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, making them prize patron and recipient.

Burgomaster Max

Burgomaster Max of Brussels officially welcomed Lindbergh to Belgium with civic ceremonies.

Charles Evans Hughes

Charles Evans Hughes, U.S. Secretary of State, formally received Lindbergh and helped coordinate his diplomatic tour.

H. J. Lynch

H. J. Lynch was a mechanic or ground crew member who worked on Lindbergh's plane preparations.

Reese

Reese was a support crew member who assisted Lindbergh with flight logistics.

Sir Samuel Hoare

Sir Samuel Hoare, British Air Minister, officially welcomed Lindbergh to England and facilitated his diplomatic engagements.

Dedication

The author and pilot, whose flight is the subject of the dedication.

We

Central figure reflecting on the collaborative nature of his achievement.

I: Boyhood and Early Flights

Narrator and protagonist; describes his birth, family background, irregular schooling, and early aviation experiences including barnstorming, wing-walking, and his first parachute jump.

II: My First Plane

Narrator and protagonist; buys his first plane, takes his first solo flight, and begins barnstorming.

III: Barnstorming Experiences

Narrator and protagonist; barnstorms through Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and other states; applies for Army cadet training.

IV: Heading South

Narrator and pilot; barnstorming with Klink while awaiting orders to report to Brooks Field.

Training at Brooks Field

Narrator and protagonist; arrives at Brooks Field as a Flying Cadet, undergoes primary flight training, and describes his experiences.

Receiving a Pilot's Wings

Narrator and protagonist; recounts his advanced flight training at Kelly Field, including formation flying, gunnery practice, and near-washout incidents.

VII: I Join the Air Mail

Narrator and protagonist; joins the Air Mail service as chief pilot, instructs students, and performs barnstorming and test flights.

VIII: Two Emergency Jumps

Narrator and pilot; describes his emergency jumps and air mail experiences.

IX: San Diego–St. Louis–New York

Describes his initial consideration of the New York–Paris flight, decision-making on aircraft type, involvement in construction and navigation planning, and piloting the Spirit of St. Louis from San Diego to St. Louis and then to New York.

X: New York to Paris

Narrator and protagonist; describes his takeoff, flight, and receptions in Europe and America.

Publisher’s Note

Lindbergh struggled to write about his own welcome and agreed to a third-person account.

Author's Note

Author of the note, endorsing Fitzhugh Green's account.

A Little of What the World Thought of Lindbergh

The central figure of global admiration and discussion.

I: Paris

The 'dark horse' who flew solo from New York to Paris, landing at Le Bourget and becoming the center of a massive outpouring of affection and ceremony.

II: Brussels

The aviator is the guest of honor, meeting royalty and delivering speeches.

III: London

The central figure, received by royalty and British officials, awarded the Royal Air Force Cross.

IV: Washington

Returns to America aboard the Memphis, greeted by massive crowds and officials in Washington. Attends President Coolidge's dinner and National Press Club event.

V: New York

The guest of honor, participating in parades, banquets, and ceremonies; speaks at events and receives the Orteig Prize.

St. Louis

Flies to St. Louis, participates in a parade and exhibition flight, issues a statement to the press, and is overwhelmed by public attention.

List of Illustrations

Central figure in all illustrations, depicted from childhood through the transatlantic flight and subsequent honors.