
Rickenbacker, Edward “Eddie” Vernon
Major
b. October 8, 1880
d. July 23, 1973
American Expeditionary Forces US Army
94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group
Air Service
WWI WWII
France
Medals
Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross (7), Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre
From The Statesman Yonkers newspaper, September 15, 1937
With 26 aerial victories, Eddie Rickenbacker survived the war as America’s “Ace of Aces”. The former race car driver’s 7 awards of the DSC (and eighth was upgraded to the Medal of Honor) is unprecedented and unmatched in US Military History. Following the war Rickenbacker was a pioneer in transportation, both automotive and in the air, founding and operating major airlines. During WWII he served as a special ambassador of the US Army Air Force, and was lost at sea in the Pacific for 24 days before he was rescued.