Eugene E. Lindsey was born in Sprague, Washington, on 2 July 1905. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1927 and became a Naval Aviator two years later. Following a number of flying assignments during the 1930s, Lindsey took command of Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) in 1940. Operating from USS Enterprise (CV-6), VT-6 raided the Marshall islands in February 1942 and was nearly wiped out while attacking the Japanese aircraft carrier force on 4 June 1942, during the Battle of Midway. Lieutenant Commander Eugene E. Lindsey was killed during the latter action.

USS Lindsey (DM-32) was named in his honor.