Patrick N. L. Bellinger

Patrick Nieson Lynch Bellinger
Bellinger as Vice admiral during World War II.
Nickname(s)"Pat"
BornOctober 8, 1885
Cheraw, South Carolina, US
DiedMay 30, 1962(1962-05-30) (aged 76)
Clifton Forge, Virginia, US
Place of burial
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1907–1947
Rank Vice Admiral
Service number0-6598
CommandsNaval Air Force Atlantic
Patrol Wing Two
Naval Air Station, Norfolk
USS Ranger
USS Langley
USS Wright
Battles / warsOccupation of Veracruz
World War I
World War II
AwardsNavy Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
RelationsPatrick Neeson Lynch, 3rd Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina (grand-uncle)

Patrick Nieson Lynch Bellinger CBE (October 8, 1885 – May 30, 1962) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral. A Naval aviator and a naval aviation pioneer, he participated in the Trans-Atlantic flight from Newfoundland to Azores in May 1919 and was decorated with Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor.[1][2]

During the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Bellinger served as Commander, Patrol Wing Two and he was responsible for sending the message, "Air raid, Pearl Harbor. This is no drill", which was the first notice to the outside world of the attack. He was later appointed Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic and distinguished himself during the U-boat campaign with Atlantic Fleet.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Valor awards for Patrick N. L. Bellinger was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "One Century Ago: Naval Air Station Norfolk's First Skipper, Part 1". hamptonroadsnavalmuseum.blogspot.com. Hampton Roads Naval Museum Websites. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  3. ^ "One Century Ago: Naval Air Station Norfolk's First Skipper, Part 2". hamptonroadsnavalmuseum.blogspot.com. Hampton Roads Naval Museum Websites. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia – Bellinger, Patrick Nieson Lynch (1885–1962)". pwencycl.kgbudge.com. The Pacific War Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Vice admiral Patrick N. L. Bellinger – Naval History and Heritage Command". history.navy.mil. Naval History and Heritage Command Websites. Retrieved 28 January 2018.