EARLY YEARS -- Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was the American "Ace of Aces" in World War I. Born in Columbus, Ohio, 1890, he gained fame as a race car driver before joining the service. He started in the U. S. Army as a chauffeur to Army Gen. John J. Pershing.
EARLY YEARS -- Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was the American "Ace of Aces" in World War I. Born in Columbus, Ohio, 1890, he gained fame as a race car driver before joining the service. He started in the U. S. Army as a chauffeur to Army Gen. John J. Pershing.
EARLY YEARS -- Edward "Eddie" Vernon Rickenbacker was the American "Ace of Aces" in World War I. Born in Columbus, Ohio, 1890, he gained fame as a race car driver before joining the service. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Capt. Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was the American "Ace of Aces" in World War I. Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1890; he gained fame as a race car driver before joining the service. He started in the U. S. Army as a chauffeur to U.S. Army Gen. John J. Pershing.
He enlisted in the Signal Enlisted Reserve Corps at New York City and entered active duty the same day, May 25, 1917. After arriving in France, he was transferred to the U.S. Air Service and sent to Tours to learn to fly where he remained until October 1917. He was then honorably discharged to accept a commission as a first lieutenant in the Signal Officers Reserve Corps. After receiving his commission he was 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 prepared to leave for the Front, Rickenbacker requested to go with them. His request was approved by Maj. Carl Spaatz and Rickenbacker was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron, the famous "Hat in the Ring" squadron, named because of their insignia.
Almost immediately he demonstrated his exceptional combat ability and by the end of the war, he was the nation's leading ace with 26 confirmed victories (22 aircraft and 4 balloons), 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 and was a patient at the American Red Cross hospital. He was personally chosen by Gen. Billy Mitchell to assume command of the 94th Aero Squadron the day before the Meuse-Argonne offensive began.
On Sept. 25, 1918, he was patrolling over the lines near Billy, France. He spotted five German Fokkers which were protecting two Halberstadts. He dived on them, shooting down one of the Fokkers, he then attacked one of the Halberstadts, shooting it down also. In his dedication to victory in the air, Rickenbacker disregarded the odds of seven to one against him.
On Nov. 6, 1930, President Herbert Hoover awarded the Medal of Honor to Rickenbacker for his bravery above and beyond the call of duty for the attack near Billy.
His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Billy, France, September 25, 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, Lieutenant Rickenbacker attacked 7 enemy planes (5 type Fokker, protecting 2 type Halberstadt). Disregarding the odds against him, he dived on them and shot down 1 of the Fokkers out of control. He then attacked 1 of the Halberstadts and sent it down also."
His other decorations included eight Distinguished Service Crosses, World War I Victory Medal with battle clasps for Champaigne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Oise-Aisne Offensives and Defensive Sector. The French awarded him their Legion of Honor (chevalier) under decree of the President of France and two French War Crosses (Croix de Guerre with Palm).
On his return home, he was assigned to the Air Service Depot at Garden City, N.Y. and later to the Division of Military Aeronautics in Washington, D.C. His tour of active duty was terminated in January 1919. He went back into the automobile business by working for General Motors, and eventually came to control Eastern Airlines. He was also appointed as a specialist with the Officers Reserve Corps as a colonel until May 20, 1934, when five-year term expired.
He died July 23, 1973. He is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. The now-closed Rickenbacker Air Force Base, Ohio, was named in his honor.
Sources of information: Air Force Historical Studies Office and military personnel records.
