Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker (* October 8, 1890 in Columbus, Ohio, USA; † July 27, 1973 in Zurich, Switzerland) was an American World War I flying ace. With 26 victories he was the American fighter pilot with the most victories during this conflict.
Before the First World War
In 1904 William Rickenbacker, Eddie's father, was killed in an accident on a building site. Young Eddie then left school and started working to support his family. It was at this time that he began to take an interest in the technical field and he found a job as a car mechanic.
From 1910, Rickenbacker worked first as a test driver and then as a racing driver. After setting several records (he had reached the then phenomenal speed of 214 Km/h), he decided, in 1917, to go to England to participate in the new motor racing season.
First World War
After the United States entered the war, he joined the army where he served as a driver. He had even driven the American Commander-in-Chief, General John Pershing.
On June 26, 1917 he arrived in France where he was able to take flight lessons. As he showed an interest in aviation, he was transferred on March 4, 1918 to the 94th American fighter squadron, under the command of Raoul Gervais Lufbery.
On April 20, he obtained his first victory. That day, Rickenbacker, flying on Nieuport 28, was patrolling with his comrade James Hall in the sky above Baussant. As soon as they spotted the enemy aircraft, Hall attacked, but the German broke up the fight. Rickenbacker then chased and shot him.
Shortly after Rickenbacker shot down another enemy aircraft from JASTA 64 and, until the end of May, he scored 5 aerial victories. He was then awarded the French Croix de Guerre.
But, as the Americans increasingly needed experienced pilots, Rickenbacker had to seek treatment during the summer for an inflamed ear. When in September it was operational again, it became one of the most dangerous adversaries for the Germans. Following his successes and his abilities, he was even appointed, with the rank of captain, at the head of the 94th fighter squadron.
With his 26 victories, including four against balloons, which he had obtained in total until October 30, 1918, Rickenbacker came first among American fighter pilots of the First World War. He was decorated a posteriori, in 1931, with the Medal of Honor for an action of September 25, 1918 during which he had attacked seven enemy planes of which he had shot down two.
Between the wars and World War II
After the war, Rickenbacker founded a car manufacturing business which, despite designing avant-garde models, proved unprofitable. In 1922 he married Adelaide Frost with whom he had two children, David and William. In 1927 he purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which he ran until its temporary closure during the four years of World War II. After being unable to renovate the circuit, he sold it in 1947.
In 1942 he visited several training airfields in the southern United States and in England. In October it was sent to the Pacific but during a flight aboard a B-17, the aircraft deviated from its original route and Rickenbacker and his crew had to land. After three days at sea, they ran out of food and had to feed on birds and fish that they caught themselves. Only after 24 days, on November 13, they were rescued in the open sea.
After World War II
Becoming president of Eastern Airlines in 1938, Rickenbacker contributed to the successful development of this company, but when the economic situation of the latter deteriorated in the 1950s, he had to resign from his position as manager on October 1, 1959.
After remaining for some time in a management position in the company, he left it on December 31, 1963. 10 years later he died in Zurich, Switzerland. In his honor the air base of his birthplace was renamed Rickenbacker Air Force Base.