Captain Eddie
The Story of Edward Rickenbacker; Top-Scoring US Ace of World War I
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker achieved fame as America’s top-ranking ace. It was one facet in a career that encompassed automobile manufacturing, motor racing and a host of corporate activities. He was born in Columbus Ohio in 1890, the son of William and Elizabeth Reichenbacher. The Teutonic origins of the family name caused him to change it to an Americanised version as ‘Rickenbacker’. Following America’s entry into the War he was hounded by the Secret Service and at one stage Scotland Yard arrested him; such was the anti-German hysteria that prevailed.
The Auto Racer
Rickenbacker was not afforded the privilege of a secondary education. His father died in 1902; a situation that forced him to leave school and find employment. He held a variety of jobs in the manufacturing industry and also took correspondence courses in engineering and draughtsmanship. His automobile experience led him to motor racing where he became a consistent winner on American tracks.
Fighter Pilot
Following America’s entry into the War Rickenbacker was accepted for the Aviation Instruction Centre; qualifying as a pilot in an exceptionally short time. His engineering background was so regarded that he was assigned to 3rd Aviation Instruction Centre as chief engineering officer. After many requests for combat duty he was assigned to the newly formed 94th Aero Squadron. Their initial equipment was the rotary engine Nieuport 28 and on 19 March the unit made the first American patrol over enemy lines.
First Successes
The three pilots on that significant occasion were Major Lufbury, Lt. Campbell and Lt. Rickenbacker. His first victory was on 29 April and by 30 May he achieved ‘ace’ status with his fifth. At age 27 Rickenbacker was older than the average pilot, which was reflected in his judgment and maturity in combat flying. The period between June and August 1918 saw Rickenbacker recovering from a mastoid operation. It is reasonable to assume that but for that setback he may well have doubled his score.
The Armistice
It was September before he returned to duty and by the end of the month he achieved 6 more victories. During that period he was appointed C.O. of the 94th, holding that position until the Armistice. The squadron had recently exchanged its Nieuports for the Spad XIII. Rickenbacker used it to good effect to add a further 14 to his score during October. At the end of hostilities on 11 November his score stood at 26, making him America’s ‘Ace of aces.’
Post War Activities
Rickenbacker returned home to a hero’s welcome and was bombarded with lucrative offers from movie and advertising companies. These approaches were summarily dismissed and he involved himself in a host of aviation and corporate projects. They were associated with aviation and automobiles, and one that deserves mention was the manufacture of one of the finest vehicles of the time. Naturally enough it was named the ‘Rickenbacker’, and it incorporated features that later became standard throughout the industry..
But the project was not sufficiently funded to withstand the fluctuations of Wall Street and subsequently it failed. In 1927 he acquired an interest in the Indianapolis Speedway and served as president of the company until he disposed of his interests in 1945.
World War II
A measure of Rickenbacker’s durability was displayed during World War II. In his capacity as an advisor to the U.S. Air Corps he undertook special tasks for the Secretary of War. These missions involved a great deal of travel and on one such trip his aircraft was forced to ditch in the Pacific Ocean. In an epic demonstration of survival he and the crew existed on limited rations for 21 days until their rescue. Edward Rickenbacker endeared himself to millions of Americans in the course of a career that spanned two World Wars
Rickenbacker
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Nieuport 28
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Spad 13
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