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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]
- 1917–1919
- Captain
Jun 12, 2006 · He was the most successful U.S. Air Service fighter pilot alive, and the press dubbed him ‘America’s Ace of Aces.’. He disliked that title, however, because he felt ‘the honor carried the curse of death.’. Three others had held that title before him — Lufbery, David Putnam and Frank Luke — and all had died.
Apr 4, 2024 · Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Oct. 8, 1890, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.—died July 23, 1973, Zürich) was a pilot, industrialist, and the most celebrated U.S. air ace of World War I. Rickenbacker developed an early interest in internal-combustion engines and automobiles, and, by the time the United States entered World War I, he was one of the ...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
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Jun 12, 2006 · In the early days of World War II an amazing story of survival unfolded when American icon WWI ace Eddie Rickenbacker and six others were plucked out of the Pacific some three weeks after their B-17 crashed into the sea.
- William Delong
- Eddie Rickenbacker’s Early Life. Edward Rickenbacker was born on October 8, 1890, to Swiss immigrants in Columbus, Ohio. He was the third-oldest of seven children in the Rickenbacker household.
- Fighting In World War I. After America officially entered World War I in 1917, Eddie Rickenbacker immediately joined the army as a mechanic and automobile driver for Gen.
- Eddie Rickenbacker Becomes America’s Top World War I Flying Ace. On April 29, 1918, Eddie Rickenbacker shot down his first enemy aircraft. By the end of May, he scored five individual victories to earn him the official title of “ace,” as well as the French Croix de Guerre.
- A Natural Pilot. Eddie Rickenbacker’s secret was simple: “The experienced fighting pilot does not take unnecessary risk. His business is to shoot down enemy planes, not get shot down.”
Apr 27, 2023 · By Phillip S. Meilinger. April 27, 2023. America’s first great Ace was 27 when he earned his wings. dward Vernon Rickenbacker, or “Captain Eddie” to many, was America’s “Ace of Aces” in World War I. In a scant six months, he shot down 26 German aircraft and balloons.
Capt. "Eddie" Rickenbacker, as he has been fondly called by several generations of Americans and millions of people the world over, was a racing driver who went into World War I at America's entrance and came out of it as the leading U.S. Ace with 26 confirmations over the enemy.
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