Patrick N. L. Bellinger

Patrick Nieson Lynch Bellinger (October 8, 1885 - May 30, 1962) was a pioneering US Naval aviator. He was born 8 October 1885 in Cheraw, South Carolina and went to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1907. After first trying submarines he soon transferred to aviation. He was part of the first group of US Naval aviators trained and was rated as Naval Aviator #4.

In 1914 while flying off the USS Mississippi (BB-23) Bellinger became the first American to encounter enemy fire in an airplane, and was recommended for the Medal of Honor. On 13 June 1913 he set an altitude record when he flew a Curtiss seaplane to the height of 6200 feet.

Bellinger was also commander of the squadron of seaplanes to make the first trans-Atlantic flight. On May 8, 1919, NC-1, -3, and -4 took off from Naval Air Station Rockaway in Long Island, New York. Bellinger's plane, the NC-1 sank and he and his crew transferred to the Greek steamer "Ionia" and soon after to the USS Gridley (DD-92) For his leadership in the flight, he was awarded the Navy Cross. By 1940 he had advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral in command of Patrol Wing 2 based in Honolulu. He was the senior Naval Air Commander present during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor when the Japanese launched their "day of infamy" attack on December 7, 1941. and sent out the first radio alert: "Air raid. Pearl Harbor - this is no drill."

In May 1942 he took command of all patrol wings in the Pacific, and in August became Chief of Staff to the Commander In Chief of the US Fleet, Admiral Ernest J. King. In March 1943, he was given command of the Atlantic Fleet Air Force. He was promoted to Vice Admiral in October 1943.

Awards and decorations

Bellinger's awards include the afore-mentioned Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Medal, and foreign decorations include the Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, from Italy; the Military Order of the Tower and Sword, from Portugal; and the Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre, from France.

He retired with the rank of vice admiral 7 July 1947 to his home, "Earlyhurst" in Covington, Virginia and died on 30 May 1962 at Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Admiral Bellinger is buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.

References

Coletta, Paolo Enrico. "Patrick N.L. Bellinger and U.S. Naval Aviation." Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 1987. ISBN 0819165344