Eddie Rickenbacker
Eddie Rickenbacker | |||||||
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Rickenbacker wearing the Medal of Honor in 1931 | |||||||
| Birth name | Edward Rickenbacher | ||||||
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| Born | October 8, 1890 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | July 23, 1973 (aged 82) Zürich, Switzerland | ||||||
| Buried | Green Lawn Cemetery (Columbus, Ohio) | ||||||
| Military career | |||||||
| Allegiance | United States | ||||||
| Branch | United States Army Air Service | ||||||
| Years of service | 1917–1919 | ||||||
| Rank | Major | ||||||
| Commands | 94th Aero Squadron | ||||||
| Battles / wars | World War I | ||||||
| Awards | |||||||
| Other work | |||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 42 races run over 5 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 3rd (1916) | ||||||
| First race | 1912 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| Last race | 1916 Championship Award Sweepstakes (Ascot Speedway) | ||||||
| First win | 1914 Sioux City 300 (Sioux City) | ||||||
| Last win | 1916 Championship Award Sweepstakes (Ascot Speedway) | ||||||
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Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Edward Rickenbacher, October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was an American fighter pilot in World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient. With 26 aerial victories, he was the most successful and most decorated United States flying ace of the war. He was also a racing driver, an automotive designer, and a long-time head of Eastern Air Lines.