James E. Westfall

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Born: September 1, 1923--Gosport, Owen County, Indiana
Died: April 2, 2012--Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery--Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia

09/05/2025

In September of 1926, after learning about French flying ace René Ronck’s attempt at the Orteig Prize, Charles Lindbergh concluded that “a nonstop flight between New York and Paris would be less hazardous than flying mail for a single winter.” With that bold belief, he began making preparations by securing financial backing from a group of St. Louis businessmen and searching for the ideal single-engine aircraft to make the daring transatlantic journey.

Eventually, Lindbergh had the opportunity to meet the flying ace, Rene Fonck, while he was preparing for his historic transatlantic flight.

Image: Charles Lindbergh meeting Rene Ronck, 1927. Photo courtesy of the Yale University Digital Archives

09/05/2025

Happy Back-to-School Week for most students here in Central Minnesota! Pictured here is a young Charles Lindbergh hitting the books while he was studying the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

08/29/2025

In August of 1955, production was set to begin on The Spirit of St. Louis, a film chronicling Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight. The role of Lindbergh was initially offered to actor John Kerr, who declined the part.

Rumors swirled that Jimmy Stewart was actively campaigning for the role. To better resemble the 25-year-old aviator, Stewart reportedly undertook a strict diet. Though 47 at the time, Stewart ultimately secured the role—prompting widespread criticism from film reviewers who questioned the age gap.

Pictured: Charles Lindbergh with the cast and crew of The Spirit of St. Louis. Courtesy of the Yale University Digital Archives.

08/29/2025

In 1931, Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh flew to Point Barrow, Alaska as part of a Pan Am survey to chart future air routes to Asia.

Anne, acting as copilot and radio operator, described the approach to Point Barrow as “flying into desolation.” Surrounded by fog and ice, it was one of the most remote and haunting stops on their trans-Arctic journey.

Her vivid account appears in North to the Orient and captures both the technical challenge and emotional weight of flying to the edge of the map.

Photo: Charles and Anne Lindbergh in Point Barrow, AK. 1931. Photo courtesy of Yale University Digital Archives.

08/29/2025

Early in his presidency, Richard Nixon invited Charles Lindbergh to join the newly established Citizens Advisory Committee on Environmental Quality. Lindbergh agreed to serve after Secretary of State William Rogers urged him to help explore how conservation efforts could enhance U.S. diplomatic relations. Another key influence was Secretary of the Interior Walter Hickel’s decision to add eight whale species to the U.S. Endangered Species list, a cause Lindbergh had long championed.

As a committee member, Lindbergh brought valuable expertise and helped shape language that positioned the Nixon administration as environmentally conscious. His involvement also provided the White House with high-profile photo opportunities, boosting the administration’s image in environmental matters.

08/15/2025

In August 1969, Charles Lindbergh brought his passion for conservation to Brazil. During his visit, he met with the President to advocate for the protection of the Amazon through national parks and nature preserves. In "Autobiography of Values," Lindbergh reflected, “Where our environment declines, both human and animal decline with it. I am amazed at how little this is generally understood…. I do not want to be of the generation that through blindness and indifference destroys the quality of life on our planet.”

This photo of Lindbergh was taken in Brazil.

Photo courtesy of Yale University Digital Archives.

08/11/2025

Charles Lindbergh first met industrialist Henry Ford in August 1927, shortly after Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight. During their meeting, Lindbergh took Ford on his first flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. The encounter marked the beginning of a long friendship between two icons of American innovation.

Though best known for revolutionizing the automobile industry, Ford was also deeply interested in aviation. His company produced the Ford Trimotor, nicknamed the “Tin Goose,” a pioneering all-metal passenger aircraft that helped advance commercial air travel in the United States.

In his Autobiography of Values, Lindbergh wrote of Ford, “The genius of Henry Ford did not depend much on logic for his business ventures. Intuition played a major role in his phenomenal success.”

Lindbergh and Ford remained close until Ford’s death in 1947.

Photo: Charles Lindbergh and Henry Ford at Ford’s factory in Detroit, Michigan, August 11, 1927. Courtesy of Yale University Archives.

08/11/2025

In the summer of 1929, Anne and Charles Lindbergh began promoting Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT), an ambitious venture that combined rail and air travel to offer 48-hour coast-to-coast service. The route began in New York City and ended in Los Angeles, with a ticket costing $352—equivalent to roughly $6,000 today. Anne and Charles were among its first passengers.

Tragedy struck on September 3, 1929, when a westbound TAT flight crashed in New Mexico, killing all on board. Over the following months, the airline faced additional accidents. Eventually, TAT merged with another company to become Trans World Airlines (TWA).

This photograph of Anne and Charles Lindbergh was taken during a TAT stop in New Mexico in August 1929. Courtesy of Yale University Archives.

08/11/2025

From May to September 1970, Osaka, Japan hosted Expo ’70, the first World's Fair held in Japan. Among the attendees was Charles Lindbergh, who visited the exposition as a guest. On display was a plane he had previously flown to Japan with his wife, Anne, during their 1931 survey flight across the Pacific.

Japan continues to host international expositions and cultural exhibitions, often with evolving themes.

Picture: Charles Lindbergh in Japan during Expo '70. Photo courtesy of Yale University Digital Archives.

08/11/2025

In July 1964, Charles Lindbergh brought his growing concern for the environment to a national audience with an article in Reader’s Digest titled “Is Civilization Progress?” In it, he reflected on the tension between technological advancement and environmental degradation, ultimately suggesting that true progress would be measured not by scientific achievement or speed, but by the impact of human activity on the quality of life for all living beings such as plants, animals, and people alike.

In his later years, Lindbergh became an active voice in global conservation efforts, traveling widely to support environmental causes.

Photo: Courtesy of the Yale University Digital Archives.

08/11/2025

By John C. Alsedek:“Have gun, will travel reads the card of a man, A knight without armor in a savage land. His fast gun for hire, heeds the calling wind, A soldier of fortune is the man called Paladin. Paladin, Paladin, where do you roam? Paladin, Paladin, far, far, from home.” These lyrics, su...

07/21/2025

In July 1927, Charles Lindbergh brought the Spirit of St. Louis to Hartford, Connecticut, as part of his national Goodwill Tour. After his historic solo flight across the Atlantic, Lindbergh visited 92 cities in 48 states to promote the future of aviation in America.

Hartford welcomed him with an incredible reception that included parades, large crowds, and speeches celebrating the possibilities of flight. More than just a celebration, the tour was a turning point in shaping public support for aviation as a vital part of modern life.

Photo: Charles Lindbergh in Hartford Conn., July, 1927. Photo courtesy of the Yale University Digital Archives.

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1501 Glenbeigh Court
Woodbury, MN

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+17852591859

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