The man destined to become America’s “ace of aces” in WWI was born in Columbus, Ohio, on the 8th of October 1890 of Swiss immigrant parents. From an early age he was interested in speed and before the war had already made a name for himself in motor racing and driving fast cars.
After a rudimentary education – his father died when he was 12 – the young Richenbacher ( he changed the spelling of his name to the less Germanic when America Joined the war) began working in a glass company. He took an engineering correspondence course and by 1908 was able to road-test automobiles. Motor racing followed which brought him a comfortable income even for those days. In 1916 he went to England, still with the car industry where he was caught up in the war euphoria.
When America joined the war in April 1917 he became one of General Pershing’s staff drivers with the rank of Sergeant. Despite his age – 27 – and fame, he decided he wanted to fly and do his bit for the war. Training at Issoudun , where the USAS had set up its active flying training center, he was finally assigned to the 94th “Hat in Ring” Squadron in March 1918.
Flying first Nieuport 28s and later SPAD XIIIs. Rickenbacker scored his first success in April, Pfalz scout in flames while on patrol with his Squadron Commander, Capt. James Norman Hall (there is a painting of this victory on the handrail in front of Hall’s and Rickenbacker’s case) and in May gained five more to give him ace status. He then went down with an ear infection in July which almost ended his flying days but he recovered and returned to duty with the 94th.
In September he shot down five more aircraft and a balloon, the added a further 11 aircraft and three balloons in October to bring his score to 26. For this he had received the Distinguished Service Cross with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, the French Croix de Guerre with three Plams, and Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.
It took twelve years for his country’s highest gallantry decoration to be awarded – the Medal of Honor. This was finally presented to Eddie Rickenbacker by President Hervert Hoover, at Bolling Field, Washington DC, on 6 November 1930.
Displayed in the case are Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker’s flight jacket, flying cap, goggles, and gloves.
* Excerpt taken from “Over the Front” by Norma L.R. Franks & Frank W. Bailey |
