Lindell A. Hunsley accumulated over 3400 flight hours in 31 different military and civilian aircraft types and operated from 12 aircraft carriers during an aviation career that spanned 48 years, 26 of which were spent in the U.S. Navy. He was there as the Navy made the transition from piston to jet powered aircraft, developed angled aircraft carrier decks, and moved into the cold war. Although it was a time of growing pains, with frequent aircraft accidents and too many lost lives, Lindell had a long and prosperous career.
Lindell's fascination with aircraft started at an early age when, at age 9, he dreamed of one day becoming a Navy fighter pilot. He began taking flying lessons at age 14; squandering every dime earned doing odd jobs to finance them, and clandestinely soloed a Taylorcraft at 15.
His naval career began in April 1946 when, at 17 years old, he enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman, USNR, in the Navy V-5 program. As part of that program, he attended the University of Illinois for two years before reporting for flight training in February 1948. In September 1949 he received his 'Wings of Gold' and designation as a Naval Aviator.
His naval career saw a variety of equipment types and assignments, including numerous overseas deployments. He holds the distinction of being one of only a few 'Flying Midshipman'; Naval aviators who had not yet received their Officer's Commission but were flying with operational fleet squadrons. These men earned a Midshipman's salary of $117 a month, $42 of which went to the shipboard mess bill, while working and flying alongside their commissioned counterparts.
It was as a Midshipman that Lindell reported for his first sea duty with VS-31 and VS-913 flying TBM Avengers and AF Guardians from various CVE (JEEP) and CVL (Light) carriers. Following his subsequent shore tour as a Flight Instructor at Pensacola, FL, he left active duty in 1954 but continued to serve in the Naval Reserve where he flew F4U Corsairs and AD Skyraiders at NAS New Orleans, LA.
Upon his return to active duty in March 1956 Lindell completed jet transitional training in F9F Cougars at NAS Olathe, KS. His next assignment was flying F3D Skynights and F4D Skyrays with the only Navy fighter squadron, VFAW-3, under the operational control of the USAF as part of the 27th Air Defense Division at NAS North Island, CA. He continued to fly the F4D in follow on assignments with VF-23 and VF-213 at NAS Moffet Field, CA. It was as the Executive Officer of VF-213 that he was aboard the USS Lexington for her last WESTPAC deployment.
In Dec 1959 he again reported to NAS Pensacola as a Flight Instructor with VT-10 primarily flying T-l A Seastars and T-2 Buckeyes. In addition, he became director of flight for the then-forming Naval Aviation Officer School flying T1A, T-28, T-34, UO, and SNB aircraft. In March 1963 he was ordered to the Navy Nuclear Weapons Officer Course in Albuquerque, NM. After graduation he served aboard the USS Wasp as Weapons Officer.
In April 1965 he reported for duty with Joint Task Group 8-3 as the Operations Officer planning for nuclear testing. Initially based in Washington, DC, this unit was later moved to Sandia Base, Albuquerque where Hunsley was uniquely a Navy pilot serving on sea duty in the middle of the desert, drawing an Army paycheck, flying Air Force aircraft (C-47s) and working directly with the Atomic Energy Commission.
In December 1969 he began his last tour of duty as a member of the Chief of Naval Education and Training Staff at NAS Pensacola, unfortunately, flying a desk. He was, however, able to continue flying his beloved jets by conducting student instructional flights as a sideline.
Lindell Hunsley retired from the Navy as a Commander in Aug 1972 but continued to fly light civil aircraft, even owning a Cessna 172, well into his retirement years.