Eddie Rickenbacker

Eddie Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker wearing the Medal of Honor in 1931
Birth nameEdward Rickenbacher
Nickname(s)
  • Rick
Born(1890-10-08)October 8, 1890
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJuly 23, 1973(1973-07-23) (aged 82)
Zürich, Canton of Zürich, Switzerland
Buried
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Service
Years of service1917–1919
RankMajor
Commands94th Aero Squadron
Battles / warsWorld War I
Awards
Other work
Champ Car career
42 races run over 5 years
Best finish3rd (1916)
First race1912 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Last race1916 Championship Award
Sweepstakes (Ascot Speedway)
First win1914 Sioux City 300 (Sioux City)
Last win1916 Championship Award
Sweepstakes (Ascot Speedway)
Wins Podiums Poles
7 14 0

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Edward Rickenbacher, October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was an American fighter pilot in World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient.[1][2] With 26 aerial victories, he was the most successful and most decorated United States flying ace of the war.[3] He was also a racing driver, an automotive designer, and a long-time head of Eastern Air Lines.[1]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Edward Vernon Rickenbacke r." Encyclopædia Britannica, July 19, 2022.
  3. ^ Robert Widener, "WWI Most Decorated", VFW Magazine, April 2017