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World War I Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Captain Eddie V. Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon ,
1890-1973, American war hero and airline executive, b. Columbus, Ohio. He became a car racing driver at 16 and set numerous speed records. In World War I he volunteered for the air service and became the leading U.S. ace by destroying 26 enemy planes. After serving as an executive of several airline companies, he became president and general manager (1938-53) and chairman of the board (1954-63) of Eastern Airlines, which he built into a major passenger and transport system. A political conservative, he often spoke on contemporary American affairs. His book Seven Came Through (1943) recounts his 22 days on a raft in World War II after running out of fuel while on an observation tour. He also wrote Fighting the Flying Circus (1919).
Eddie Rickenbacker of Columbus, Ohio first gained fame as a race car driver prior to America's entry into WWI. As the U.S. prepared to send its first troops overseas, Rickenbacker was offered the position of chauffeur to General Pershing. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and after arriving in France, he was transferred to the U.S. Air Service and sent to Tours to learn to fly. He was then made Engineering Officer at the U.S. flying school at Issoudun because of his unusual knowledge of gasoline engines.
When the first group of newly-trained U.S. pilots got ready to leave for the Front, Rickenbacker requested to go with them. His request was approved by Major Carl Spaatz and Rickenbacker was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron.
Almost immediately he demonstrated his exceptional combat ability and by the end of the war, he was our nation's leading ace with 26 confirmed victories, despite the fact that through most of June, July, and August 1918, he had not been permitted to fly combat missions because of severe ear infections. Also, he was personally chosen by Gen. Billy Mitchell to assume command of the 94th Aero Sq. the day before the Meuse-Argonne offensive began.
On Nov. 6, 1930, President Herbert Hoover awarded the coveted Medal of Honor to Rickenbacker for his
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in attacking seven enemy airplanes while on Sep. 25, 1918, shooting down two. Capt. Rickenbacker passed away Jul. 23, 1973.
See his autobiography (1967) and his From Father to Son, ed. by W. F. Rickenbacker (1970).
Name:
Edward "Eddie" Vernon Rickenbacker
Country:
United States
Rank:
Captain
Services:
United States Air Service
Units:
94th Aero
Victories:
26
Born:
08 October 1890
Place of Birth:
Columbus, Ohio
Died:
27 July 1973
Place of Death:
Zurich, Switzerland
Buried:
Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio
Notes
The son of Swiss immigrants, Rickenbacker was the American "Ace of Aces." He recorded 26 official victories against German aircraft during World War I and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Between WWI and WWII, Rickenbacker bought and administered the Indianapolis Speedway and became president of Eastern Airlines. In October 1942, he was aboard a B-17 bomber that crashed in the Pacific Ocean while on a secret mission to New Guinea. "Iron Man Eddie" and six companions survived 24 days afloat on life rafts.
In 1995, the United States Postal Service issued a postage stamp in honor of Rickenbacker's accomplishments as an aviation pioneer.
"For extraordinary heroism in action near Montsec, France, 29 April 1918. Lt. Rickenbacker attacked an enemy Albatros monoplane and after a vigorous fight, in which he followed his foe into German territory, he succeeded in shooting it down near Vigneulles-les-Hatten-Chatel." DSC citation
Medal of Honor Citation:
"Edward V. Rickenbacker, Colonel, specialist reserve, then first lieutenant, 94th Aero Squadron, Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines Lieutenant. Rickenbacker attacked seven enemy planes (five type Fokker protecting two type Halberstadt photographic planes). Disregarding the odds against him he dived on them and shot down one of the Fokkers out of control. He then attacked one of the Halberstadts and sent it down also..." Medal of Honor citation, awarded 6 November 1930
Americas first ace: Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker shot down 26 enemy aircraft in World War I and earned the Medal of Honor for his actions. His feats, and those of other Allied fliers, ushered in an era of air-to-air combat that changed the role of aircraft in military operations forever, and helped establish the need for control of the air during wartime.
Eddie Rickenbacker papers at Auburn University
Medal of Honor presentation ceremony, with survivors of 94th Pursuit Squadron, 11-6-1930, w/neg
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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