Machinist's Mate First Class Lincoln was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the U.S. Navy serving in Korea. He was Killed in Action while engaged with the enemy on 10 May 1951.

Lincoln was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.