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37-741: Lindsey was born in Jefferson, Iowa , to Jesse Lyle and Grace Alice Lindsey. After graduating from high school in Fort Dodge in 1938, he attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake for one year before transferring to Drake University in Des Moines . He enlisted as an aviation cadet at Fort Des Moines on January 16, 1942. He trained at Visalia , Lemoore Army Air Field and Victorville Army Air Field in California , receiving his pilot's wings and commission as

74-589: A second lieutenant in August 1942. Lindsey was also trained as a bombardier at Kirtland Field , New Mexico , and in 1943 was assigned to the 314th Bomb Squadron at MacDill Field , Florida , with the rank of first lieutenant . He was transferred to Kellogg Field , Michigan, in September 1943, and assigned to the 585th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bomb Group (Medium), a B-26 Marauder outfit. Promoted to captain in December, he

111-532: Is a city in, and the county seat of Greene County, Iowa , United States, along the North Raccoon River . The population was 4,182 at the time of the 2020 census . It is the home of the Mahanay Memorial Bell Tower, 168 feet (51 m) tall, located on the town square, and visible for miles. The tower is named for Floyd Mahanay, a businessman, philanthropist, and former resident. Jefferson

148-503: Is bisected east to west by the old Lincoln Highway (formerly U.S. 30). A new U.S. Route 30 is located approximately one mile to the north. While platted and settled a few years earlier, "New Jefferson" was organized in the winter of 1855–56 and officially incorporated in January 1872. It began as a farming community and remains so today. The first settlers of the new city were the family of George S. Walton who built there in 1855. During

185-581: Is the crew member of a bomber aircraft responsible for the targeting of aerial bombs . "Bomb aimer" was the preferred term in the military forces of the Commonwealth , while "bombardier" (from the French word for "bomb thrower" and similar in meaning to " grenadier ") was the equivalent position in the United States Armed Forces . In many planes, the bombardier took control of the airplane during

222-599: The Civil War , Jefferson as well as Greene County contributed its sons to raising Company H, 10th Iowa Infantry (1861) and Company E, 39th Iowa Infantry (1862). The railway came to Jefferson in the decades after the Civil War. Jefferson's first mayor was Mahlon Head, elected in 1872. Jefferson's library was completed in 1904 through the generosity of the Carnegie library fund. The stretch of Lincoln Highway that runs through Jefferson

259-815: The Greene County Community School District , which operates Greene County Elementary, Greene County Middle, and Greene County High schools in Jefferson. It was part of the Jefferson School District until July 1, 1992, when that district merged into the Jefferson–Scranton Community School District . It was a part of Jefferson–Scranton until it merged into the Greene County district on July 1, 2014. Bombardier (air force) A bombardier or bomb aimer

296-519: The Greene County Courthouse , where it was dedicated to Lindsey on June 12, 1993. On the following day at Lindsey's alma mater , Buena Vista University , another memorial was dedicated to Lindsey and Ralph Neppel , also a recipient of the Medal of Honor who had attended Buena Vista. The memorial was donated by Judge Charles Pendleton, a BVU alumnus. Judge Pendleton had earlier made a donation in

333-526: The Seine River at L'Isle Adam northwest of Paris . The bridge, one of the last over the Seine still standing, was heavily defended by German anti-aircraft units. Leading a formation of 30 aircraft, Lindsey's B-26 was heavily damaged and both the right engine and wing set afire during the bombing run. Although knocked out of formation, Lindsey recovered his place and led the group over the target, then stabilized

370-535: The census of 2020, there were 4,182 people, 1,872 households, and 1,116 families residing in the city. The population density was 695.1 inhabitants per square mile (268.4/km ). There were 2,091 housing units at an average density of 347.6 per square mile (134.2/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.1% White , 0.5% Black or African American , 0.1% Native American , 0.7% Asian , 0.0% Pacific Islander , 1.3% from other races and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 3.7% of

407-537: The poverty line , including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over. Completed in October 1966 at nearly 14 stories or 168 feet (51 m) in height, the Mahanay Memorial Bell Tower is named for Floyd Mahanay who left an endowment of $ 350,000 to have the tower built. However, the funds were not sufficient to provide for a full carillon of bells on top. In 2016, upon the 50th anniversary of

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444-532: The Commonwealth, a bomb aimer could be an officer or (more frequently) a senior non-commissioned officer (sergeant or flight sergeant ) or warrant officer ; like wireless operators, air engineers and air gunners, all officer bomb aimers were commissioned from the ranks after non-commissioned aircrew service, unlike pilots and navigators who could also join directly as commissioned officers. During World War II , US Army Air Forces bombardiers were recognized with

481-469: The Medal of Honor, accepted by his widow, Evalyn Scott Lindsey Rhinehart (1919–1992) during an August 9, 1945, ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Dodge. On August 9, 1944, Capt. Lindsey led a formation of 30 B-26 medium bombers in a hazardous mission to destroy the strategic enemy held L'Isle Adam railroad bridge over the Seine in occupied France . With most of the bridges over the Seine destroyed,

518-425: The age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.3% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age in

555-520: The age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.88. Age spread: 23.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

592-405: The aircraft into an uncontrollable spin and jeopardize the bombardier's chances to escape, Capt. Lindsey refused the offer. Immediately after the bombardier had bailed out, and before Capt. Lindsey was able to follow, the right gasoline tank exploded. The aircraft sheathed in fire, went into a steep dive and was seen to explode as it crashed. All who are living today from this plane owe their lives to

629-458: The aircraft so that his crew could parachute. According to the crew's bombardier, Lindsey severely lessened his own chance to escape to prevent the aircraft from spinning, which proved fatal when a fuel tank exploded just after the last crewman exited the aircraft. Captain Lindsey's body was not recovered and he was listed as missing-in-action and presumed killed. On May 30, 1945, Lindsey was awarded

666-576: The award of the Bombardier Badge . They were selected during training for their sense of timing and manual dexterity. With the establishment of an independent US Air Force in 1947, USAF bombardiers were awarded the wings known as the Navigator badge, now known as the Combat Systems Officer badge. Commonwealth bomb aimers wore a single-wing aircrew brevet with the letter "B". The aircraft of

703-487: The bombing run his B-26 was peppered with holes. During the bombing run the enemy fire was even more intense, and Capt. Lindsey's right engine received a direct hit and burst into flames. Despite the fact that his ship was hurled out of formation by the violence of the concussion, Capt. Lindsey brilliantly maneuvered back into the lead position without disrupting the flight. Fully aware that the gasoline tanks might explode at any moment, Capt. Lindsey gallantly elected to continue

740-489: The bombing run, using a device such as the Norden bombsight which was connected to the autopilot of the plane. Often stationed in the extreme front of the aircraft, on the way to the target and after releasing the bombs, he could also serve as the front gunner in aircraft that had a front turret . In the latter part of the 20th century, the title of bombardier fell into disuse, due largely to changes in technology, emanating from

777-402: The city was 46.3 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 24.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 4,626 people, 1,954 households, and 1,234 families living in the city. The population density

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814-475: The city. The population density was 727.8 inhabitants per square mile (281.0/km ). There were 2,156 housing units at an average density of 361.1 per square mile (139.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 97.9% White , 0.1% African American , 0.1% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 1.0% from other races , and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population. There were 1,900 households, of which 26.5% had children under

851-570: The fact that Capt. Lindsey remained cool and showed supreme courage in this emergency. In November 1946, Lindsey Air Station , Wiesbaden Air Base , Germany, was named in his memory and served as the location of the Headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe . The station closed in 1993 and a red granite monument there was returned to Jefferson, Iowa, and placed on the lawn of

888-417: The group changed bases to RAF Holmsley South in preparation for a move to the continent, and on August 7, 1944, began a three-day campaign against rail and bridge targets in the Île-de-France region of northern France for which the group as a whole received a Distinguished Unit Citation . On August 9, Captain Lindsey, a veteran of 45 combat missions, flew as group leader to destroy the railroad bridge over

925-430: The heavily fortified L'Isle Adam bridge was of inestimable value to the enemy in moving troops, supplies, and equipment to Paris. Capt. Lindsey was fully aware of the fierce resistance that would be encountered. Shortly after reaching enemy territory the formation was buffeted with heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire. By skillful evasive action, Capt. Lindsey was able to elude much of the enemy flak, but just before entering

962-509: The memory of Evalyn Rhinehart, who had recently died (August 17, 1992) in a motor vehicle accident, and the wife of a fellow alumnus, Dr. Bruce L. Rhinehart (1922–2010). Pendleton learned that she had been the widow of Darrell Lindsey, and that Lindsey's monument was being returned from Germany. Together, Pendleton and Rhinehart also began the Lindsey-Neppel Scholarship at Buena Vista in 1993. Jefferson, Iowa Jefferson

999-423: The perilous bombing run. With fire streaming from his right engine and his right wing half enveloped in flames, he led his formation over the target upon which the bombs were dropped with telling effect. Immediately after the objective was attacked, Capt. Lindsey gave the order for the crew to parachute from the doomed aircraft. With magnificent coolness and superb piloting, and without regard for his own life, he held

1036-450: The population. Of the 1,872 households, 24.9% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 5.4% were cohabitating couples, 32.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 17.9% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 40.4% of all households were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, 19.8% had someone living alone who

1073-555: The replacement of this manual function with the development of computerized technology and smart bombs , that has given rise to terms like weapon systems officer or combat systems officer to describe the modern role. The equivalent in the US Navy and US Marine Corps is the naval flight officer . In the United States, the position of bombardier was originally held by a sergeant , but they were commissioned as officers in 1941. In

1110-419: The swiftly descending airplane in a steady glide until the members of the crew could jump to safety. With the right wing completely enveloped in flames and an explosion of the gasoline tank imminent, Capt. Lindsey still remained unperturbed. The last man to leave the stricken plane was the bombardier , who offered to lower the wheels so that Capt. Lindsey might escape from the nose. Realizing that this might throw

1147-491: The tower being built, $ 440,905 funds were acquired to add a four-octave, 47-bell carillon at the top of the tower. The bells are expected to be chiming the summer of 2017 and will be operated by a digital piano to give tunes for weddings, birthdays, funerals and even the local high school's fight song after games. Every 15 minutes, the tower provides the current time with a recording of the Westminster Chimes . An elevator in

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1184-731: The tower takes visitors to the observation deck which overlooks five Iowa counties. As of 2016, there were more than seventeen other buildings in Iowa taller than the Mahanay Tower: 12 in Des Moines, 3 in Cedar Rapids, and 2 in Davenport. Since 1980 annually on the second Saturday of June, the Bell Tower Festival has a parade in the morning and a street dance in the evening. Residents are in

1221-406: Was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 32,818, and the median income for a family was $ 42,754. Males had a median income of $ 32,206 versus $ 21,359 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 17,441. About 3.3% of families and 7.3% of the population were below

1258-422: Was 65 years old or older. The median age in the city was 45.0 years. 24.5% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.5% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 21.0% were from 25 and 44; 24.1% were from 45 and 64; and 25.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female. As of the census of 2010, there were 4,345 people, 1,900 households, and 1,172 families living in

1295-477: Was 794.6 inhabitants per square mile (306.8/km ). There were 2,094 housing units at an average density of 359.7 per square mile (138.9/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 97.97% White , 0.15% African American , 0.24% Native American , 0.39% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.61% from other races , and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population. There were 1,954 households, out of which 28.1% had children under

1332-684: Was assigned as a flight commander. As part of the Ninth Air Force the 394th Bomb Group was deployed to RAF Boreham , England , on March 11, 1944, and immediately participated in the bombing of bridges, airfields and the rail system in France in preparation for the cross-channel invasion . On D-Day , the group attacked gun positions in Cherbourg , then continued to support Allied ground units in Normandy by attacking German lines of communication . In late July,

1369-548: Was completed c.  1924 . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 6.01 square miles (15.57 km ), of which 5.97 square miles (15.46 km ) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km ) is water. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Jefferson has a hot-summer humid continental climate , abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps. As of

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