Charles Lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh was the first man to make a complete, non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh wasn't the first man to cross the Atlantic, but he made the first solo, continuous flight across the Atlantic. This accomplishment earned Lindbergh praise and title, his nicknames were "Lone Eagle" as well as "Lucky Lindy".
However, Lindbergh was not simply an aviator, he enlisted in the army in 1924 as an Army Air Service Reserve pilot. He graduated from the Army's aviation school in 1925 at the top of his class. Lindbergh went on to win the Orteig prize of $25,000 dollars upon his completion of the famed non-stop flight between New York and Paris. On May 20, 1927, Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt field in his self-designed airplane, the Spirit of Saint Louis. He landed in Paris 33 1/2 hours later, at the Le Bourget Field, located near Paris. Thousands greeted him upon his arrival, giving him cheers and praise for the stupendous accomplishment. In America, President Coolidge gave him the Congressional Medal of Honor as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Lindbergh also earned the German Medal of Honor, presented to him by Hermann Goering, a highly decorated Nazi official. Lindbergh was enamored with the advanced aircraft industry in Germany and admired the Nazi dedication to aircraft research and development. Although this prize caused an outcry in America against Nazism, Lindbergh was not deterred from touring and visiting the German and French governments during his tour of Europe.
Charles Lindbergh found financial support from multi-millionaire Guggenheim family. The Daniel Guggenheim fund enabled Lindbergh to tour the nation, promoting air-mindedness. Upon stumbling across the rocket-scientist Robert Goddard, Lindbergh convinced the Guggenheim family to fund his research in the field of rocket science.
Lindbergh however, expanded into the field of medical science, he developed an artificial heart with the help of a French scientist, Alexis Carrel.
At the beginning of World War II, Lindbergh was highly opposed to American involvement in the war. He joined the America First Committee, which was dedicated to preventing America from joining the Allies' war effort. Lindbergh resigned from his position in the Army Air Corps after being denounced by Roosevelt, in protest of Roosevelt's foreign policy. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lindbergh requested to re-enlist in the airforce, but he was denied. He then took a position as a technical advisor and test pilot for Ford Industries.
However, Lindbergh did join the war effort as an advisor to the army and navy. Even though he was technically a civilian, Lindbergh flew 50 combat missions during the war. During this time, Lindbergh developed cruise control techniques that would revolutionize the capabilities of fighter planes.
After the war, Lindbergh withdrew from the public eye, speaking out years later as part of the conservation movement for humpback and blue whales. In direct contrast to his previous actions and role as an airplane developer, Lindbergh opposed the creation of supersonic transport planes because of their negative impact on the atmosphere.
In 1974, on August 24, Lindbergh passed away from cancer in his island home in Maui. Lindbergh left his legacy as a revolutionary figure in the flying industry, which lasts to this day.

Bruno Richard Hauptmann Biography, www.charleslindbergh.com/history/.