Edward V. Rickenbacker
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Tara Carpio and
Lindsay Muntz
Newnan High School
Newnan, Georgia USA
Teacher: Stephen Quesinberry
Adv. World History, 10th grade
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| 1890-1973 |
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| General Information
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- Born Edward Vernon Rickenbacker in Columbus, Ohio, 1890.
- Eddie, as he was known, was a successful race car driver before WWI,
and at one time had proposed to form a flying squadron made up
entirely of racing drivers.
- In May, 1917 he sailed to France as part of the AEF, where he
became the staff driver of General Pershing himself, because of his
knowledge of auto mechanics.
- He eventually transfered, and in March 1918, joined the 94th Aero
Pursuit Squadron, the famous "Hat in the Ring" squadron, so called
because of their insignia.
- Rickenbacker initially had a terrible problem with airsickness.
- Two months before the end of the war, Rickebacker was named
commanding officer of the 94th. He had acheived 26 victories (22
aircraft and 4 balloons) and had received the title "American Ace
of Aces."
- Rickenbacker received the Congressional Medal of Honor for
attacking a formation of 5 German planes, downing 2 and chasing the
others away. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross, and
the French Croix de Guerre.
- On his return home, he went back into the automobile business by
working for GM, and eventually came to control Eastern Airlines.
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| Quotes
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- "I can see that aerial warfare is actually scientific murder."
- Eddie Rickenbacker
- "In addition to leading my flight on routine patrols, I emulated
Lufbery's example and flew my own lone-wolf missions onver the
lines. He always said that it was impossible to shoot down German
planes sitting in the billet with you feet before the fire. I
heeded this advice so well that I had more hours in the air than
any other American flier."
- Eddie Rickenbacker
- "Eddie exemplifies those qualities which made America great:
courage, integrity, intelligence, humanity, spirituality and
patriotism; together with the ability to plan ahead and then a
willingness to work hard-and sacrifice-to achieve and prevail."
- General Jimmy Doolittle
"The exploits fo Captain Eddie Rickenbacker will live forever in
the annals of America's great heroes."
J. Edgar Hoover
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