- Born
- Died
- Birth nameEdward Rickenbacker
- Eddie Rickenbacker was born on October 8, 1890 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He was a writer, known for Ace Drummond (1936), Birth of a New America (1935) and Flying with Arthur Godfrey (1953). He was married to Adelaide Frost Durant. He died on July 23, 1973 in Zurich, Switzerland.
- SpouseAdelaide Frost Durant(September 1922 - July 23, 1973) (his death, 2 children)
- Highest scoring American ace during World War I from 1917 to 1918 with 26 credited aerial kills.
- Has a military base in southeast Columbus, Ohio named after him. The base was used in the movie Air Force One (1997).
- Awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in World War I. The citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, 1st Lt. Rickenbacker attacked 7 enemy planes (5 type Fokker, protecting two type Halberstadt). Disregarding the odds against him, he dived on them and shot down one of the Fokkers out of control. He then attacked one of the Halberstadts and sent it down also.".
- Purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with some associates in 1927 and sold it to Tony Hulman in 1945.
- President and majority stockholder of Eastern Airlines.
- You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity.
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