In WWII the US Military, looking for any advantage they could find, took Lindberg up on his offer to examine the P38 plane, and make recommendations base on his knowledge of saving fuel flying over water.He made a number of flights and messed around with the plane a lot; and made some recommendations the mechanics called crazy.
To Honor Mr Lindberg, they tried it, and found the P38 could fly twice as far on these new settings! They had orders to keep him out of combat, but while he was teaching them some added tweaks, they were jumped. In the resulting fur ball, Lindberg got his only air to air kill! They pulled him off the line as soon as he landed; but the pilots he taught had learned well!
Enter the code breakers of Midway fame. They intercepted and broke a message that Admiral Yamamoto was visiting the forward area, to rally the troops. they knew where and when, if they could just reach him!
Someone realized that with the new Lindberg modifications, the P38 could reach him! I secrecy, they mounted an interception mission that was designed to look like a random strike. He was right on time, and they attacked as planned, and shot down not just Yamamoto; but his entire staff, by downing all three bombers they were flying in!
On such small things, engagements, battles, and wars all pivot. History changes, because One MAN was led to fly an airborne gas can across the Atlantic...half a World away, and decided to pass on what he learned!
AND, He was always proud of his air to air kill!
:)
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/yamamoto-footage-operation-vengeance.html