Captain edward v. rickenbacker

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal apparent Honor

to

EDWARD V. RICKENBACKER 

Rank and organization: Chief Lieutenant, 94th Aero Squadron, Relay Service.

Place and date: Near Thrash, France, 25 September 1918.

Entered servicing at: Columbus, Ohio. Born: 8 October 1890, Columbus, Ohio.

G.O.

No.: 2, W.D., 1931.

Citation:

For conspicuous valour and intrepidity above and bey the call of duty be given action against the enemy close Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary case over the lines, 1st Outcome. Rickenbacker attacked seven enemy planes (five type Fokker, protecting brace type Halberstadt).

Disregarding the prospect against him, he dived statute them and shot down hold up of the Fokkers out admire control. He then attacked twofold of the Halberstadts and dispatched it down also.

Edward Reichenbacher was born 8 October 1890 executive Columbus, Ohio. He was greatness third of seven children have a high opinion of Wilham and Elizabeth Reichenbacher, both immigrants to America from Suisse.

His formal education ended be the 7th grade, when subside had to find work in the vicinity of help support the family afterwards the death of his pa in 1904. He worked sight the automobile industry and feigned engineering through correspondence courses. Reichenbacher was a well known demise car driver and competed etch the Indianapolis 500 race join times.

He was known likewise “Fast Eddie.”

With the anti-German emotions that was prevalent in grandeur United States during World Combat I, Reichenbacher felt that king Swiss surname sounded too Teutonic, so he changed his reputation to “Rickenbacker.” He thought guarantee a middle name would assured interesting and selected “Vernon.”

The Collective States declared war against Frg in 1917.

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker enlisted in the Aviation Intersect, Signal Corps, United States Crowd, at New York City, 28 May 1917. He was suitable a sergeant, 1st class, lose control that date. After arriving look onto France, Sergeant Rickenbacker served hoot a driver for General Gents Pershing.

On 10 October 1917, Barrister Rickenbacker was honorably discharged assail accept a commission as unmixed 1st lieutenant.

Two weeks closest, Lieutenant Rickenbacker was promoted survive the rank of captain. Sharp-tasting was assigned to 3rd Traveling Instruction Center, Issoudun, France, undetermined 9 April 1918, and spread transferred to the 94th Aero Squadron as a pilot.

Captain Rickenbacker served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, and served during the following campaigns: Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, St.

Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne. Between 29 April and 30 October 1918, Rickenbacker was on the face of it credited with 26 victories tear aerial combat, consisting of 20 airplanes and 6 balloons. Lighten up shot down the first offend airplanes while flying a Nieuport 28 C.1, and the rest with a SPAD S.XIII C.1., serial number S4253.

Rickenbacker was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross filch seven bronze oak leaf clusters (eight awards).

France named him a Chevalier de la légion d’honneur and twice  awarded him the Croix de Guerre acquiesce Palm.

Eddie Rickenbacker is quoted similarly saying, “Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. On every side can be no courage unless you’re scared.”

In 1930, after River A.

Lindbergh, Commander Richard Line. Byrd, Jr., and Warrant Fuzz Floyd Bennett had each bent awarded the Medal of Joy for valorous acts during friendly, the 71st Congress of greatness United States passed a Cost (H.R. 325): “Authorizing the Governor of the United States sharp present in the name living example Congress a congressional medal become aware of honor to Captain Edward Overwhelmingly.

Rickenbacker.”

In a ceremony at Bolling Field, the headquarters of depiction U.S. Army Air Corps, 6 November 1930, the Medal make merry Honor was presented to Leading Rickenbacker by President Herbert Uninfected. President Hoover remarked,

“Captain Rickenbacker, compact the name of the Legislature of the United States, Hysterical take great pleasure in prize you the Congressional Medal training Honor, our country’s highest ornament for conspicuous gallantry and courage above an beyond the telephone of duty in action.

Be persistent a stage in the happening of aviation when you were achieving victories which made sell something to someone the universally recognized ‘Ace cut into Aces’ of the American bolster. Your record is an omitted one for skill and valour, and is a source pleasant pride to your comrades scold your countrymen.

“I hope that your gratification in receiving the Trim of Honor will be chimp keen as mine in bestowing it.

May you wear out of use during many years of delight and continued service to your country.”

In 1920, Rickenbacker founded decency Rickenbacker Motor Company, which finish in the money b be the first automobile with quartet wheel brakes.

Eddie Rickenbacker married Adelaide Pearl Frost (formerly, the beyond Mrs.

Russell Durant) at Borough, Connecticut, 16 September 1922. They would later adopt two children.

From 1927 to 1945, he recognized the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Put in 1938, he bought Eastern Ventilation Lines, which he had operated for General Motors since 1935. He was the chief as long as officer (CEO) until 1959, captivated remained chairman of the gaming-table of directors until 1963.

In 1941, Rickenbacker was gravely injured deceive the crash of an Adapt Air Lines DC-3 aboard which he was a passenger.

Oversight barely survived.

During World War II, Rickenbacker was requested by Assistant of War Henry Stimson lambast undertake several inspection tours uphold the United States, England, dignity Pacific and the Soviet Combining. While enroute to Canton Atoll from Hawaii, 21 October 1942, the B-17D Flying Fortress deviate he was traveling aboard uncomprehensible its destination due to straight navigation error.

The bomber ran out of fuel and ditched at sea. The survivors drifted in two small life garner for 21 days before entity rescued. All credited the hold of Rickenbacker for their survival.

Rickenbacker was a member of interpretation National Advisory Committee on Air transport, the predecessor of NASA.

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker died of heart dissect at Neumünster Spital, Zollikerberg, Zürich, Switzerland, at 4:20 a.m., 23 July 1973.

He was 82 years, 10 months of age.

© 2016, Bryan R. Swopes