Chapter 7: The Lone Eagle Circles Back Home

Lindbergh delivering a speech at an America First Committee rally at Madison Square Garden (May 23, 1941)

Charles Lindbergh’s return to the United States began as if he had never left… with, in his words, “…close to a hundred pressmen were on the ship and dock waiting for me.” (Lindbergh, 188)  Lindbergh traveled to Washington D.C. where he spent his first week back in the U.S. providing the Department of War intel on his observations of various aeronautical developments in the countries he visited while living in Europe.  It was also during this stay that he had his first meeting with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Lindbergh’s opinion was mixed, depending on what you read: in his journal he stated “He is an accomplished, suave, interesting conversationalist.  I liked him and feel that I could get along with him well.” (Lindbergh, 187); however, as he reflected back in his memoir he stated “But there was something about him I did not trust, something a little too suave, too pleasant, too easy.” (Lindbergh, 189)

In his first few months home, Lindbergh would spend the majority of his time evaluating the country’s own air force, while also being asked to join the Army Air Corps’ Research and Development Board.  Then September 1 came, and the world would never be the same… 

Throughout the years he lived in Europe, Lindbergh had great concern about the start of another world war and was adamant that his homeland stay out of any conflict that might arise.  From the onset of the war, Lindbergh threw himself into isolationism (defined as opposing involvement in affairs in other countries), going so far as to give radio addresses and speeches expressing his strong desire to keep the country out of the war.  In April 1941, Lindbergh was named the spokesman for the America First Committee, an isolationist group that specifically advocated for the U.S. to remain out of the European conflict.  America was still in love with Lindy, as rally attendance and membership in the organization showcased, however many Americans learned about him receiving the Order of the German Eagle, which led many to suspect he was a Nazi sympathizer.  Many went so far as to write letters to the FBI expressing their concerns, however FBI director J. Edgar Hoover never took action against either Lindbergh or AFC.  Lindbergh’s fame would never recover once the war was over, a likely relief for him.  The America First Committee would disband within a week of the U.S. declaring war on Japan.

While Lindbergh did not seem to mind the criticism that came his way, the consequences presented themselves: on April 28, 1941, Lindbergh resigned his commission in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve.  While Lindbergh hesitated slightly in this decision, he was also aware of the paradox of remaining in the military while simultaneously expressing his pacifist sentiment.  From his journal, dated April 27, 1941: “… I feel it is the only honorable course to take.  If I did not tender my resignation, I would lose something in my own character.” (Lindbergh, 481)  After the war began, Lindbergh met with Secretary of War Henry Stimson to discuss being recommissioned in the Air Corps Reserve, however Stimson denied his request due to his anti-war public comments.  In 1944, Lindbergh was sent to the South Pacific as a technical representative to study the durability of military aircraft performance in combat.

As the war came to an end in April 1945, Lindbergh’s life was relatively stable considering the “controversy” he caused pre-war, however the relaxing of his fame allowed him to pursue various new paths, which would continue until the end of his life.