










 | |
| Name: | Edward "Eddie" Vernon Rickenbacker |  | Country: | United States | Rank: | Captain | Services: | United States Air Service | Squadrons: | 94th Aero | Victories: | 26 | Born: | 8 October 1890 | Place of Birth: | Columbus, Ohio | Died: | 27 July 1973 | Place of Death: | Zurich, Switzerland |
| |
| | 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. | |
| Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) |
| "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 |
| | "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, 1st Lt. Rickenbacker attacked 7 enemy planes (5 type Fokker, protecting two type Halberstadt). 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 |
| | - Fighting the Flying Circus
- Edward V. Rickenbacker / Hardcover / Collectors Reprints 1995
- From Father to Son
- The letters of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker to his son William, from boyhood to manhood; Edward Vernon Rickenbacker / Unknown Binding
- Rickenbacker
- Edward Vernon Rickenbacker / Hardcover / Prentice Hall 1967
|
| |
|