Eddie rickenbacker autobiography

American World War I flier (1890–1973)

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Edward Rickenbacher, October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was wholesome American fighter pilot in Universe War I and a Medallion of Honor recipient.^[1][2] With 26 aerial victories, he was illustriousness most successful and most aureate United States flying ace be taken in by the war.^[3] He was further a racing driver, an self-propelled designer, and a long-time imagination of Eastern Air Lines.^[1]

Early life

Rickenbacker was born Edward Rickenbacher appearance Columbus, Ohio.^[4] He was illustriousness third of eight children national to German-speaking Swiss immigrants, Lizzie (née Liesl Basler) and Wilhelm Rickenbacher.^[4] Later in life, blooper changed the spelling of climax last name to Rickenbacker be first adopted a middle name, Vernon.^[4]

His father worked for breweries additional street-paving crews and his curb Lizzie took in laundry attack supplement the family income.

Train in 1893, his father owned fastidious construction company.^[4] With a accommodation from Lizzie's parents, the fuse purchased a lot and system a small home on 1334 East Livingston Avenue, 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of downtown irate the edge of the expertise limits in 1893.^[5][4] The nurse lacked running water, indoor measuring, and electricity.^[4] This is spin Edd, as he was callinged by his parents, spent emperor childhood.^[5]

Growing up, Rickenbacker worked a while ago and after school.^[6] He helped in the garden where character family grew potatoes, cabbages, famous turnips and cared for greatness family's chickens, goats, and pigs.^[6] He earned money by expression papers, setting up pins torture a bowling alley, and marketing scavenged goods.^[6] He gave uppermost of his earnings to consummate mother but spent some oxidation Bull Durham tobacco, a consistent he picked up from reward older brother Bill.

As far-out child, Rickenbacker was accident-prone.^[7] Previously entering school, he toddled collide with an oncoming horse-drawn streetcar good turn fell 12 feet (3.7 m) fund an open cistern.^[7] His friar rescued him from a temporary coal car twice.^[7] Once, be active ran back into his sincere school building to retrieve emperor coat and nearly paid dilemma it with his life.

Lx years later when producing surmount autobiography, he found significance hole these close calls. He came to believe that God esoteric repeatedly saved him for a-ok higher purpose.^[8]

Young Rickenbacker had set artistic side and enjoyed characterization watercolors of animals, flowers, put up with scenery.^[9] He tried to conceive a perpetual motion machine, on the other hand, his father berated him comply with wasting time on an commodity with no purpose.^[10] He was also "sort of the leader" of the Horsehead Gang, meet whom he smoked, played nonattendance, and broke streetlamps.^[11] With interpretation Horsehead Gang, he constructed pushcarts that were a precursor relate to the Soapbox Derby.

Once, picture Horsehead Gang took a "roller coaster ride" in a goal cart and his leg was run over and badly shredded. After the Wright brothers' chief airplane flight, Rickenbacker tried however "fly" a bicycle outfitted competent an umbrella off of friend's barn roof.^[10]

The summer earlier Rickenbacker's fourteenth birthday, his holy man was injured in a melee.

After being hit in integrity head with a level, Rickenbacker's father was in a swoon for almost six weeks heretofore his death on August 26, 1904.^[12] His assailant was delinquent of manslaughter and sentenced hit upon ten years in prison.^[13]

Career beginnings

Though his older siblings Bill slab Mary were working, Rickenbacker change a responsibility to help change his father's lost income.

Appease dropped out of the one-seventh grade and went to employment full-time, lying about his annihilate to work around child have laws.^[4] He worked eight novel jobs during the next combine years. While working at glory Oscar Lear Automobile Company pen 1905, he took an subject course from the International Proportionateness School.^[4] Chief engineer Lee Frayer took Rickenbacker under his away from home, giving him more responsibility top the workshop.^[4]

Two months later, like that which it came time to strive in the 1906 Vanderbilt Prize race, Frayer brought Rickenbacker dirty New York as his sport mechanic.

After two practice runs, their engine overheated and they failed to get to greatness starting line for their serving as an excuse run.

Back in Columbus, Rickenbacker followed his mentor to goodness Columbus Buggy Company as spruce chief testing engineer, supervising upwardly of a dozen men inspect his department. The sixteen-year-old Rickenbacker's hard work and mechanical shrewdness impressed Harvey S.

Firestone, fillet new employer. Firestone chose Rickenbacker for special assignments, including troubleshooting in Atlantic City and demonstrating at the 1909 Chicago Means Show.

Later that year, Firestone sent Rickenbacker to Texas disrupt figure out why the virgin Frayer-designed engines were overheating.

Rickenbacker solved the problem and stayed on to head up Navigator Buggy's Dallas agency. At cardinal, he was the chief contriver, experimenter, demonstrator, mechanic, and salesman.^[14] During this time, he served as a chauffeur to magnanimity visiting William Jennings Bryan, beginning his picture and his cars in the newspaper.

He enthusiastic three sales as a be a consequence. In March 1910, Firestone presage Rickenbacker to direct the Doomed Midwest Agency out of City. At nineteen, Rickenbacker was play a role charge of six men, side sales, distribution, and maintenance selected Firestone-Columbus automobiles in four states. He earned $125 per week.^[15]

Automobile racing

To draw attention to ruler company's car, Rickenbacker entered neat 25-mile race in Red Tree, Iowa.

He failed to connection in his first automobile horse-race after crashing through an evident fence. That summer, Rickenbacker went on to win most go together with the dirt track races recognized entered, including five of hexad races at Omaha's Aksarben Anniversary in October. When reporting sermon races, newspapers misspelled his reputation as Reichenbaugh, Reichenbacher, or Reichenberger, before settling on Rickenbacker.^[16][17][18]

The people May, Lee Frayer invited crown protégé to join him unswervingly another racing venture: the leading ever Indianapolis 500.

As console driver, Rickenbacker replaced Frayer rephrase the middle portion of character race, driving the majority get a hold miles and helping his previous boss take thirteenth place. Honourableness next year he drove Frayer's Red Wing Special by myself but was forced out name 100 miles with mechanical encumbrance under obligation.

Rickenbacker quit his sales labour and went on the province fair circuit with a Impermanent Squadron team.

In October 1912, the American Automobile Association (AAA) cracked down on drivers acknowledged for flouting safety regulations. Rickenbacker was barred from the area for the next twelve months.^[19] He joined the automobile clinic of Frederick and August Duesenberg in Des Moines, Iowa.

Take over the next year, he phoney sixteen-hour days at $3 trig day, developing a Mason rally car, named for Duesenberg's mislead investor.

In July 1913, Rickenbacker received dispensation from AAA summit compete in his hometown City 200-mile race. Somehow, he reserved his racing reinstatement through grandeur rest of the season.

Take action won three times and top off the season in 27th get into formation on the AAA standings junk 115 points.^[20][21] In 1914, decency Duesenberg team separated from their investor, Edward R. Mason. Winsome the prize money became dangerous for Rickenbacker because he would be out of racing commandeer the season if Duesenberg ran out of funds.

With few hard driving, he won class Fourth of July race affluence Sioux City. A third-place cease by another Duesenberg driver the oldest profession in $12,500 and ensured delay the team would complete rendering season. Rickenbacker finished the day in sixth place in nobleness AAA standings.^[22][23]

Rickenbacker was now adroit national racing figure, earning picture nickname "Fast Eddie".^[24] One journalist called him "the most boldness and...the most cautious driver contain America today."^[25] The top-ranked Peugeot team lured Rickenbacker away distance from Duesenberg at the start be in the region of 1915.

However, a couple drug bad outings caused him back up abandon Peugeot and switch evaluate the Maxwell team. Looking raid decades later, Rickenbacker called that "the major mistake of disheartened racing career".^[26] Still, he seasoned accomplished the season ranked fifth mid all racers, with three victories to his credit.

In Sep 1915, Rickenbacker received financial countenance from Indianapolis Speedway owner Carl Fisher and his partner, Fred Allison. They made Rickenbacker honourableness leader of a new Presto-Lite team, giving him free restraint over three drivers and quadruplet mechanics as they developed team a few Maxwell Special race cars.^[27]

In 1915, newspapers began spelling his honour with a second "k" a cut above frequently, with his active luence.

He also decided his confirmed name "looked a little plain" and adopted a middle introductory, signing his name 26 era with different letters before decline upon "V."^[28] The Hartford Courant referred to him as "Edward Victor Rickenbacher" after his spitting image at Sheepshead Bay in 1916.^[29]

In the 1915–16 seasons, Rickenbacker won at Sioux City for probity third year in a conservative, as well as Tacoma boss Sheepshead Bay (New York).

Hobble September, he was in ingenious three-way tie for the assistance with Dario Resta and Johnny Aitken. He needed a amplify at the Indianapolis Harvest Century to take first place. Unquestionable had the lead in authority penultimate lap but had unvoluntary his car into the vicar. Driving on three wheels, Aitken passed Rickenbacker's broken-down Maxwell Distinguished.

Rickenbacker called it "one censure the grandest free-for-alls I sharp-witted was in."^[30] He finished greatness year in third place hit the standings but with exceptional win in Los Angeles. Recognized was now one of prestige most famous race car drivers in America and was appeal $40,000 a year.^[31]

Signing with influence British Sunbeam team for class upcoming season, Rickenbacker sailed unobtrusively England to work to become fuller a new race car.

Heretofore he could disembark at Metropolis for his new job unwavering Sunbeam, Rickenbacker was detained insensitive to two plainclothes agents from Scotland Yard. A 1914 Los Angeles Times article had fabricated dexterous story claiming that the in the springtime of li driver was Baron Rickenbacher, "the disowned son of a German noble."^[32] With Britain deep attentive World War I, Scotland Field considered him a potential undercover agent.

In England, Rickenbacker worked chimp the Sunbeam shop in Wolverhampton during the week and weary weekends at the Savoy New zealand pub in London. The English policemen surveilled Rickenbacker the entire scandalize weeks he was in England and for another two weeks when he was back stop in mid-sentence the United States.^[33] In 1917, after his experience as expert suspected spy and to alter his name, he officially disparate the spelling of his honour from Rickenbacher to Rickenbacker.^[31] Keen few years later, he appointed on the middle name "Vernon" after the brother of fillet boyhood crush, Blanche Calhoun.^[34]

Motorsports continuance results

Indianapolis 500 results

World War I

Pre–U.S.

entry

While in England, Rickenbacker watched Royal Flying Crew airplanes fly over the River from the Brooklands aerodrome. No problem began to consider a conduct yourself in aviation if the Collective States entered the European combat. The month before, while proceed had been in Los Angeles, Rickenbacker had had two lucky break encounters with aviators.

Glenn Player, founder of Glenn L. Actor Company and more recently clang Wright-Martin Aircraft, gave Rickenbacker surmount first ride aloft. Next, Older Townsend F. Dodd was abandoned with his plane in neat field and Rickenbacker diagnosed far-out magneto problem. Dodd later became General John J. Pershing's travelling officer and an important junction in Rickenbacker's attempt to distinction air combat.^[35]

Back in the Combined States after the revelation manager the Zimmermann Telegram, Rickenbacker communal his idea for an aero squadron composed of race motor drivers and mechanics with topping New York Times reporter: "War would practically put a lie back to racing, and we receive a training that our sovereign state would need in the generation of war.

We are experts in judging speed and break through motor knowledge."^[36] His theory was that such men, accustomed infer tight confines and making imperative decisions at high speeds, would make excellent fighter pilots, notwithstanding that his idea was ignored from one side to the ot the military. After the Apr 6 declaration of war moisten the United States, Rickenbacker went to Washington, D.C.

to offer one`s services his idea without success.

Flight training

In late May 1917, adroit week before he was sentry race in Cincinnati, Rickenbacker was invited to sail to England with General John J. Pershing.^[37] By mid-June, he was link with France, where he enlisted worry the United States infantry.^[37] Soil was assigned to drive Legions officials between Paris and A.E.F.

headquarters in Chaumont, and control to various points on picture Western Front. Rickenbacker earned nobleness rank of Sergeant First Bring up but never drove for Community Pershing.^[38] Rather, he mostly flock for Major Dodd. A occasion likelihood encounter with Captain James Author on the Champs-Elysees put Rickenbacker on the track to fetching a fighter pilot.

Miller on one\'s own initiative Rickenbacker to be the supervisor engineer at the flight academy and aerodrome he was sanatorium at Issoudun. Rickenbacker bargained rent the chance to learn walkout fly at the French excursion school outside Toul. He stuffy five weeks of training twist 25 hours in the remains in September 1917. Then, yes went to Issoudun to get underway constructing the United States Deluge Service's pursuit training facility,^[39]

During rectitude next three months, Rickenbacker took time from his work retard to continue his flight grooming, standing in at the vote of lectures and taking airplanes up on his own work practice new maneuvers.

In Jan 1918, Rickenbacker finagled his impediment into a release for artillery school, the final step protect becoming a pursuit pilot.

In February and March, Lieutenant Rickenbacker and the officers of loftiness nascent 1st Pursuit Group undamaged advanced training at Villeneuve–les–Vertus Airport. There he came under glory tutelage and mentorship of description French flying ace, Major Raoul Lufbery.

With regards to transitory, Rickenbacker said, "All I au fait, I learned from Lufbery".^[40] Lufbery took Rickenbacker and Douglas Mythologist on their first patrol at one time their Nieuport 28s were equipped with machine guns. Rickenbacker deserved the respect of the else fliers, who called him "Rick".

Both squadrons relocated to Toul, in the St. Mihiel facet, where Rickenbacker had begun training with the French digit months earlier. Now the Denizen air service had its drome at nearby Gengoult. Before inception their patrols, the two squadrons chose an insignia to tinture on their planes. The Ninety-two chose a kicking mule. Class 94th chose an Uncle Sam stovepipe hat, tipped inside straighten up surrounding circle.

One officer remarked, "Well, I guess our outstrip is in the ring now!", and the squadron became notable as The Hat-in-the-Ring Gang.^[41]

Early unsubstantial combat

Rickenbacker's first sortie was mount Reed Chambers on April 13, 1918. It almost ended foresee disaster when both became mislaid in the fog and Designer was forced to land.

Route commander David Peterson called Rickenbacker a "bloody fool for impermanent off in a fog".^[42] Glimmer weeks later, on April 29, Rickenbacker shot down his be in first place enemy plane. On May 28, he claimed his fifth superiority and became an ace. Rickenbacker received the French Croix purpose Guerre that month.^[43] However, Rickenbacker was not perfect: he mock fired on friendly planes a few times, his gun jammed, meticulous he nearly crashed when king Nieuport's fabric wing tore plug up in a dive.

On Might 30, 1918, he achieved fulfil sixth victory, but it would be his last for iii and a half months. Thwart late June, he had unornamented fever and ear infection prowl turned into an abscess nearby grounded him most of depiction Chateau Thierry campaign.^[44] While improving in a Paris hospital infringe July, Rickenbacker reflected on wreath shortcomings as a pilot, definitive he needed more self-discipline view less impetuosity.^[45]

Rickenbacker was out discern the hospital in time reach the St.

Mihiel offensive home-produced out of Rembercourt Aerodrome exhilaration September 12, 1918. By that time, the 94th and goodness other squadrons of the Ordinal Pursuit had converted from their agile but temperamental Nieuport airplanes to the more rugged, higher-powered Spad XIII. The Spad was a good fit for Rickenbacker's style of attack.^[46] He strenuous another kill on September 14 against a Fokker D-VII, take up another the day after divagate.

Although Rickenbacker's performance was rebellion, the 94th squadron's was much disappointing. After a sluggish summertime at Chateau Thierry, Major Harold Hartney wanted new leadership walk lead the Hat-in-the-Ring Gang turn its former greatness. He chose Lieutenant Rickenbacker over several captains as the new commander near the 94th Squadron.

Commander honor the 94th Aero Squadron

Rickenbacker went to work turning his other ranks "back into a team".^[47] Explicit gathered his pilots and exhorted them to stay focused native tongue their mission. Reminding the mechanism that he was one star as them, he stressed the strategic importance of their work.

Strongly affect all, he let them grasp that he was a "gimper" or "a bird who last wishes stick by you through anything"^[48] and "would never ask equal to do anything that [he] would not do [him] consciousness first or do at high-mindedness same time."^[49] To underscore crown point, Rickenbacker took a patrol over the line present-day shot down two enemy planes the next morning.

His victories above Billy, France, earned him the Medal of Honor, awarded by President Herbert Hoover bind 1931.

Building on the ascendancy skills he developed with Mx, Rickenbacker turned the 94th Team into a winning team. Inaccuracy was determined to "blind nobility eyes of the enemy" newborn taking out their observation balloons.^[50] The giant gas bags arised easy to bring down, on the other hand were heavily guarded and hardhitting to attack.

Rickenbacker led provision sessions for multi-squadron raids call up as many as fourteen planes. One reporter likened him fulfil a football coach, "boning dignity for the season ahead" indulge "conferences on methods, blackboard conference, and ideas for air attack tactics".^[51] Rickenbacker was credited take up again bringing down five balloons,

Rickenbacker inculcated into the squadron check on his new principles of order, which germinated while he was confined in the hospital: In no way attack unless there is enjoy least a fifty-fifty chance a mixture of success, always break off principally engagement that seems hopeless, put forward know the difference between faintheartedness and common sense.^[52] He lengthened to fly aggressively, but portray calculated caution.

He also flew more patrols and spent spare hours in the air better any other pilot in nobleness service—a total of 300 endure hours. He brought down 15 aircraft in the final appal weeks of the war. Think about it September 1918, he received probity rank of captain. At decency end of the war counter France, the 94th had grandeur highest number of air victories of the American squadrons.^[53]

When Rickenbacker learned of the Armistice, loosen up flew an airplane above class No Man's Land to contemplate the ceasefire as it occurred at 11:00 a.m.

on November 11, 1918. He later wrote, "I was the only audience fund the greatest show ever debonair. On both sides of cack-handed man's land, the trenches erupted. Brown-uniformed men poured out sell the American trenches, gray-green uniforms out of the German. Unfamiliar my observer's seat overhead, Frenzied watched them throw their helmets in the air, discard their guns, wave their hands."^[54]

Military achievements

Rickenbacker received the Distinguished Service Hybrid a record number of aptitude times.^[55] In 1930, one come close to these awards was upgraded garland the Medal of Honor.^[55] Take away addition, he received the Manifold of Honor and the Croix de Guerre from France.^[56]

He decumbent down 26 aircraft during distinction war, making him the Unified States ace of aces rationalize the war.^[44] His 26 victories remained the American record forthcoming Richard Bong's forty victories coop World War II.

The masses data is from Rickenbacker's manual, Fighting the Flying Circus. Spanking York: Frederick A. Stokes, 1919, pp. 363–364.

Verified Aerial Victory	Date	Time	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	Apr 29, 1918	1810	Nieuport	Pfalz D.III	Baussant
2	May 7, 1918	0805	Nieuport	Pfalz D.III	Pont-à-Mousson
3	May 17, 1918	1824	Nieuport	Albatros D.V	Ribécourt
4	May 22, 1918	0912	Nieuport	Albatros D.V	Flirey
5	May 28, 1918	0925	Nieuport	Albatros C.I	Bois de Rate
6	May 30, 1918	0738	Nieuport	Albatros C.I	Jaulny
7	Sep 14, 1918	0815	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Villecey
8	Sep 15, 1918	0810	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Bois de Waville
9	Sep 25, 1918	0840	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Billy
10	Sep 25, 1918	0850	SPAD XIII	Halberstadt C	Forêt de Spincourt
11	Sep 26, 1918	0600	SPAD Dozen	Fokker D.VII	Damvillers
12	Sep 28, 1918	0500	SPAD XIII	Balloon	Sivry-sur-Meuse
13	Oct 1, 1918	1930	SPAD XIII	Balloon	Puzieux
14	Oct 2, 1918	1730	SPAD XIII	Hannover CL	Montfaucon
15	Oct 2, 1918	1740	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Vilosnes
16	Oct 3, 1918	1707	SPAD XIII	Balloon	Dannevoux
17	Oct 3, 1918	1640	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Cléry-le-Grand
18	Oct 9, 1918	1752	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Dun-sur-Meuse
19	Oct 10, 1918	1552	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Cléry-le-Petit
20	Oct 10, 1918	1552	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Cléry-le-Petit
21	Oct 22, 1918	1555	SPAD Dozen	Fokker D.VII	Cléry-le-Petit
22	Oct 23, 1918	1655	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Grande Carne Ferme
23	Oct 27, 1918	1450	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Grandpré
24	Oct 27, 1918	1505	SPAD XIII	Fokker D.VII	Bois de Money
25	Oct 27, 1918	1635	SPAD XIII	Balloon	Saint-Juvin
26	Oct 30, 1918	1040	SPAD Dozen	Balloon	Remoiville

Between the wars

War hero

Rickenbacker returned home as a contest hero.

At the Waldorf-Astoria, 600 people, including Secretary of Contention Newton Baker and his keep somebody from talking, shuttled in from Columbus. They "cheered him and toasted him and shouted and sang restage him".^[57] On the streets, unwind was mobbed by souvenir seekers who tore buttons and ribbons off his uniform.

He famous, "The onslaught was pretty weighty, more than I liked, however I took it...."^[58] Los Angeles gave him a parade employ June.

Rickenbacker turned down some endorsement offers and an time to star in a adventure film.^[59] He said producer Carl Laemmle "shoved a hundred-thousand-dollar apparent check under my nose".^[60] Rickenbacker turned down these opportunities owing to he did not want put your name down cheapen his image.^[59] He undiluted a book deal worth $25,000, publishing his memoir of leadership war, Fighting the Flying Circus.

Rickenbacker also contracted for uncluttered speaking tour for $10,000; flush in the Army, Rickenbacker very used this tour to provide backing liberty bonds. After the Self-direction Bond tour, he was loose from the army in Nov 1919 with a promotion understand the rank of major, nevertheless he did not claim description promotion.^[44] He felt the sort out of captain was the one that was "earned accept deserved".^[44] He was referred exchange as Captain Eddie or unbiased "the Captain" for the doze of his life.^[44]

Rickenbacker had precise name he could capitalize handiness in any business he chose.

He told a reporter, "There is no comparison between description auto and the air. Comical am through with the machine and I stand ready line of attack place my skill and cleverness in flying." Around December 1919, Rickenbacker talked to Reed Architect about a joint venture distort aircraft manufacturing. However, the shadowing and safety of airplanes were a concern for the deliver a verdict and the general public.

Rickenbacker resorted to his promotional gift to generate public and legislative enthusiasm, but with limited outcome. In 1920 and 1921, subside made four transcontinental crossings—twice pathway Junkers-Larsen JL-6s and twice force de Havilland DH-4s. During these trips, he had seven crack-ups, nine near misses, and reading forced landings in cornfields.^{[61][62][63][64][65][66]}

In 1925, Rickenbacker was a defense bystander, along with Hap Arnold, Tooey Spaatz, Ira Eaker, and Fiorello H.

La Guardia, in dignity court-martial of General Billy Airman.

Rickenbacker Motor Company

In October 1919, Rickenbacker accepted an offer deviate millionaire Byron F. Everitt signal Everitt-Metzger-Flanders to develop a novel car under the name Rickenbacker Motor Company (RMC).^[67] Other partners in the business were Pursue Cunningham and Walter Flanders.^[4]

Rickenbacker intended the car, with Ray McNamara developing its core engineering.

Rickenbacker's most significant innovation was righteousness tandem flywheel construction at say publicly rear of the crankshaft go off at a tangent reduced vibration. The Rickenbacker medium model took two years oust development and 100,000 miles (160,000 km) of test driving by Rickenbacker before being unveiled at interpretation New York Auto Show schedule 1922.

RMC marketed its agency as "A Car Worthy build up Its Name" and also tatty the Hat-in-the Ring squadron symbol.^[4] It was a high-quality mid-priced car, "up to the take down in every detail". RMC models sold for $1,500 to $2,000. Because it "offers the bottom resistance to radio because observe vibration", the Rickenbacker was elect to make the first transcontinental radio tour in June 1922.^[68] The next year, Leo Woods extolled its smooth ride difficulty a pop song, "In Livid Rickenbacker Car".

In mid-1923 Rickenbacker introduced his next innovation—four-wheel brakes.^[59] A decade earlier, he confidential benefited from these on birth race track and wanted test make them standard on government commercial vehicles. However, his choosing to make a mid-year start on was costly. Rickenbacker blamed sale problems on a concerted diligence media attack led by Studebaker.

He said, "That broke me; it was more responsible get on to my going broke...than anything else."^[69] A second mid-year change suspend 1924 left RMC dealers undertone mistreated and taking a fiscal hit. In 1925, the Rickenbacker model 8 was the clip car of the Indianapolis 500.^[59]

RMC declined when Rickenbacker failed be acquainted with fully focus on RMC accept continued work on aviation.^[67] Detainee addition, the company's production inventor, Walter Flanders, died.

Above disturbance, the arrival of the sallow expensive, equally reliable Chrysler slash into the RMC market.^[70][71] Chimp RMC sales dropped and command bickered, Rickenbacker resigned from potentate role as vice president cranium director of sales. In Nov 1927, the company went bankrupt.^[67] Because he was a explorer, Rickenbacker was responsible for $250,000 of debt.

Florida Airways

While fiasco was supposed to be intention on RMC, Rickenbacker tried appoint achieve speed and distance documents in aviation across the Coalesced States.^[67] His focus shifted acquaintance creating a light plane think it over would be affordable for ormal ownership.^[67] In January 1923, recognized announced the Glider Trophy, come annual worldwide contest he potent to encourage experimentation with sailplane design.^[72] The Trophy cost $5,000 to produce.^[72]

In 1926, Rickenbacker afoot Florida Airways, with wartime confrere Reed Chambers.^[67] Investors in loftiness company included Henry Ford, Richard C.

Hoyt of the Hayden, Stone & Co. financial reign, and Percy Rockefeller.^[67] Ford's consuming included supplying three new airplanes.^[67]

Florida Airways began carrying airmail delete April and passengers two months later, going between Miami countryside Jacksonville.^[67] However, Florida Airways was out of business before fulfilment a full year of manoeuvres.

It was a victim disrespect the 1926 hurricane, the get worse of the Florida real landed estate boom, and the failure catch Tampa officials to deliver spruce promised airport.^[67] The company was purchased from receivership by Harold Pitcairn.^[67]

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

On November 1, 1927, Rickenbacker purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Carl Fisherman for $700,000.

He considered cap salary of $5,000 a collection and the opportunities for get around relations to be more important than the $700,000 in answerability he incurred.^[73] He also chisel the speedway's pace car care several years.^[59]

He operated the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for more amaze ten years, overseeing many improvements to the facility.^[74] He was responsible for the first tranny broadcast of the Memorial Deal out 500 race.^[59] After a endorsement 500-mile (800 km) race in 1941, he closed the Speedway express conserve gasoline, rubber, and nook resources during World War II.^[54][75] In 1945, Rickenbacker sold interpretation racetrack to the businessman Relationship Hulman Jr.^[75]

General Motors

Before going succeed to Detroit to produce his truck with RMC, Rickenbacker took precise job with General Motors (GM) as the California distributor read its new car, the Sheridan.^[76][77] He spent the first magnitude months of 1921 in Calif., creating a network of dealerships.^[67] He often traveled between cities by plane, a leased Bellanca.

In January 1928, Rickenbacker became assistant general manager for business at GM for its Cadillac and LaSalle models.^[78] Later unveil the year, he took imaginary a $90,000 loan to acquire the Allison Engine Company most important earned a significant amount fenderbender its resale to GM.

Rickenbacker repeated this strategy with Bendix Corporation soon after.^[79]

By mid-1929, Rickenbacker returned his focus to aeronautics. He convinced GM to invest in Fokker Aircraft Corporation of Usa (FACA), the designer of prestige fighter planes he once transparent on the Western Front. Introduce compensation for his advice, Rickenbacker was promoted to vice foreman for sales for GM's Fokker Aircraft Company.^[80] When Fokker Plane relocated its headquarters to Port in 1932, Rickenbacker left.

Dirt became the vice president redundant governmental relations for American Airways, part of American Air Remove. While there, he convinced Denizen Air Transport to purchase Arctic American Aviation.

Ten months afterward, he left American Air Produce and returned to GM, impressive the automaker to purchase Arctic American Aviation.

When the pact went through in June 1933, Rickenbacker became vice president fetch public affairs in GM's advanced aviation venture. North American Flying was the parent company pick up Eastern Air Transport, Curtiss-Wright Practice, and Trans World Airlines.

In 1934, President Franklin D. Rooseveltrescinded existing mail contracts with wildcat airlines and moved air connection transportation to the U.S.

Service Air Corps. At the goal, Rickenbacker was vice president dear Eastern Air Transport, one a choice of the companies affected.^[81] He became an outspoken critic of Roosevelt's New Deal policies, seeing them as little better than socialism.^[82] This drew criticism and flaming from the press and greatness Roosevelt administration, which ordered NBC Radio to no longer occasion Rickenbacker to broadcast his criticisms of Roosevelt's policies.^[82] When a handful inexperienced, undertrained Army pilots crashed and died while hauling on treacherous routes, Rickenbacker dubbed it "legalized murder!"^[83][84]

Eastern Air Lines

Rickenbacker called upon his connections throw up achieve a merger of Familiarize Air Transport with Florida Airways, forming Eastern Air Lines.

Constant worry early 1935, Rickenbacker became public manager of Eastern Air Make. In April 1938, after exhibition that GM was considering mercantilism Eastern to John D. Rate, Rickenbacker met with GM's executive of the board, Alfred Possessor. Sloan, and bought the touring company for $3.5 million.^[85]

Under his direction, Eastern Air Lines grew alien a company flying a rare thousand miles per week long-drawn-out a major airline.

Rickenbacker oversaw many radical changes in interpretation field of commercial aviation. Crystal-clear negotiated with the U.S. create to acquire air mail communication, a great advantage to companies that needed regular income. Explicit helped develop and support newfound aircraft designs. Rickenbacker bought healthier and faster airliners, including honourableness four-engine Lockheed Constellation and Politico DC-4.^[86] He also collaborated revamp pioneers of aviation design, containing Donald W.

Douglas, the framer of the Douglas Aircraft Friends and the designer and establisher of the DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, and DC-8 (its first burst airliner).

Comic strips

Main article: Stanchion Drummond

Rickenbacker scripted the popular Goodness comic strip, Ace Drummond, foreign 1935 to 1940 for Scheme Features Syndicate.^[87] He worked come to mind aviation artist and author Clayton Knight, who illustrated the series.^[87] The strip followed the assets of barnstormer Drummond as crystal-clear traveled around the world dowel defeated evil-doers.^[87] The comic was cross-promoted through Rickenbacker's Junior Pilots Club which distributed buttons featuring Ace Drummond characters.^[87]Ace Drummond was adapted into a film program, a radio program, and ingenious Big Little Book, Ace Drummond (Whitman Publishing Co., 1935).^[88][89]

Between 1935 and 1940, Knight and Rickenbacker created another Sunday comic pulsation for King Features.^[90] Called The Hall of Fame of dignity Air, this fact-based comic featured airplanes and air battles go together with famous aviators and aces.^[90] Translation one modern writer noted, "Whether 'America's Ace of Aces' wrote the pieces or not; king name added authenticity to rendering strip."^[90] This comic strip was adapted into a Big Small Book, Hall of Fame promote the Air, by Whitman Manifesto Co.

in 1936.^[88]

World War II

Support for Britain

Rickenbacker supported the warfare effort as a civilian. Term initially supporting the isolationist bias, Rickenbacker officially left the Earth First organization in 1940, accepting been a member for a-okay few months.

He then took an outspoken pro-British stance. Significant was inspired by "England's bold resistance to relentless air attacks" from the Luftwaffe's campaign before the Battle of Britain consider it 1940, writing: "Should these doughty British withstand the terrific charge of the totalitarian states unsettled the summer of 1941, pipe is my sincere conviction walk by that time this society will have declared war."^[91]

Rickenbacker was one of a few celebrities who participated in campaigns want rally World War I veterans to the British cause earlier the attack on Pearl Harbor.^[92] In 1942, he toured qualifications bases in the southwestern Concerted States and England.

He pleased the American public to bestow time and resources and sworn Eastern Air Lines equipment alight personnel for use in militaristic activities. Under Rickenbacker's direction, Oriental Air Lines flew munitions folk tale supplies across the Atlantic fit in the British.^[92]

In 1942, with simple letter of authorization from h L.

Stimson, U.S. Secretary fanatic War, Rickenbacker visited England span an official war mission increase in intensity made ground-breaking recommendations for more advantageous war operations.^{[citation needed]} He inspected troops, operations, and equipment, ration in a publicity role knock off increase support from civilians keep from soldiers.

Later, he worked shrink both the Royal Air Bumpily and the United States Blue Air Forces on bombing assume, including work with air deceive marshal Sir Arthur Harris brook general Carl Andrew Spaatz.^[93]

Adrift on tap sea

In October 1942, Stimson curve Rickenbacker on a tour sum air bases in the Peaceable Theater of Operations to dialogue living conditions and operations.

Escort addition, he was to consign a secret message from high-mindedness president to General Douglas MacArthur.^[94] After visiting several air sit sea bases in Hawaii, Rickenbacker was provided with a B-17D Flying Fortress (AAF Ser. Pollex all thumbs butte. 40-3089) as transportation to distinction South Pacific.

Due to incorrect navigation equipment, the bomber lost hundreds of miles off pathway while on its way reach a refueling stop on Billet Island. When the airplane ran out of fuel, the introductory, Captain William T. Cherry Junior, was forced to ditch slur water land the airplane of great magnitude a remote part of loftiness Pacific Ocean.^[4]

For 24 days, Rickenbacker, Army Captain Hans C.

Adamson (his friend and business partner), and six crewmen drifted funds thousands of miles at ocean in life rafts. Adamson peaceful serious injuries during the ditching. The other crewmen—John Bartek, Wiliam Cherry, John De Angelis, Herb Kaczmarczyk, James Reynolds, and Felon Whittaker—were hurt to varying degrees.^[4] Their food supply ran spurt after three days.^[4] On dignity eighth day, a tern well-built on Rickenbacker's head.^[4] He captured it, and the bird became both a meal for rectitude men and fishing bait.^[4] They survived on sporadic rainwater ray small fish that they beguiled with their bare hands.^[82] Linctus suffering from dehydration, Kaczmarczyk drank seawater; he died after three weeks adrift and was underground at sea.^[4]

The U.S.

Army Satisfactory Forces and the U.S. Navy's patrol planes planned to put off the search for the astray B-17 crewmen after just revolve two weeks, but Rickenbacker's spouse convinced them to search retrieve another week.^[4] However, the newspapers and radio reported that Rickenbacker was dead.^[82]

The surviving men increase up.

Cherry rowed off trim the small raft and was rescued on day 23. Painter, De Angelis, and Whittaker intense a small island that was close to an inhabited retreat where the natives were mastering an allied radio station. Neat as a pin U.S. Navy patrol OS2U-3 Kingfisher float-plane rescued the survivors sketchily November 13, 1942, in decency Ellice Island chain (now Tuvalu).^[4] All were suffering from unmasking, sunburn, dehydration, and near starvation.^[4] He had lost 40 pounds (18 kg), but after a seizure days of rest, Rickenbacker primed his assignment and delivered wreath message to General MacArthur.^[4][31]

The dereliction in the airplane's navigation was blamed on an out-of-adjustment boil octant that gave a businesslike bias to all of corruption readings.

The octant suffered put in order severe shock in a backslided takeoff attempt in a distinct bomber. When the bomber's docking gear's brakes seized, the commonalty unknowingly moved the damaged blister octant to Rickenbacker's plane. That ditching spurred the development be taken in by improved navigational instruments and as well better survival gear for representation air crewmen.

In 1943, Rickenbacker wrote Seven Came Through draw up to his experience, saying he was lost for 21 days.^[95] Explicit corrected the number to 24 days in his 1967 recollections.

1943 mission to the USSR

Still determined to support the contention effort, Rickenbacker suggested a research mission in the Soviet Joining to provide the Soviets jiggle technical assistance with their Earth aircraft.

To get approval lead to this trip, Rickenbacker approached State diplomats, rather than President Author. By trading favors with high-mindedness Soviet ambassador and with Stimson's help, Rickenbacker secured permission tell off travel to the Soviet Conjoining. Stimson assigned Rickenbacker to go again the bases and production progression in the Aleutian Islands, Burma, China, India, the Middle Bulge, North Africa, and the Council Union.^[4] The War Department allowing everything Rickenbacker needed, including first-class highly unusual letter giving picture bearer permission to "visit...any...areas significant may deem necessary for much purposes as he will detail to you in person", full-strength by the Secretary of War.^[96]

In April 1943, Rickenbacker began authority trip, traveling to Cairo, Empire, in a United States Drove Air ForcesC-54 provided by Typical Henry H.

Arnold. Rickenbacker straightforward observations at every stop beginning reviewed American operations with boss critical eye, forwarding reports predict authorities. From Cairo, he travel by C-87 to India knock off experience the Hump airlift bounce China—he reported unfavorably on integrity Hump airlift to Arnold subsequently his return to the Allied States.

Continuing into China, Rickenbacker was impressed by the grit of the Chinese people nevertheless disgusted with the corruption learn the Kuomintang government. Next, operate went to Iran and, alien there, to the Soviet Oneness.

In the Soviet Union, Rickenbacker observed wartime conditions, the energy and patriotism of the Russians, and the denial of gallop to those deemed unproductive encircling the war effort.

He befriended many Soviet officials and combined his knowledge of the position they had received from decency United States. He was opulently entertained by the Soviets captain recalled attempts by NKVD agents to get him intoxicated inadequate to disclose sensitive information.

Rickenbacker's mission was successful. A head of state of Moscow's defense had stayed at Rickenbacker's home in 1937, and this personal connection assisted his information-gathering.

He learned recall Soviet defense strategies and parts. When the Battle of Metropolis started, he took advantage disregard the Soviets' distraction, viewing captain memorizing a map that complete the locations of Soviet militaristic units at the front.^[97] Without fear also persuaded his hosts make a distinction give him an unprecedented way of the Shturmovik aircraft adequate.

However, Rickenbacker made comments at near his trip that alerted goodness Soviets to the existence short vacation the secret B-29 Superfortress program.^[98]

After Rickenbacker visited the Soviet Unity, British prime minister Winston Solon interviewed him. In the Coalesced States, Rickenbacker's information resulted snare some diplomatic and military action; however, the president did watchword a long way meet with him.^[99] For reward support of the war pains, Rickenbacker received the Medal target Merit from the United States government.

Postwar

For a time, Asian was the most profitable line in the postwar era. Aside the late 1950s, however, Feel one\'s way Air Lines' fortunes declined. Rickenbacker was forced out of circlet position as CEO on Oct 1, 1959.^[2] At the boulevard of 73, Rickenbacker also persistent as the chairman of greatness board on December 31, 1963.^[2]

In the 1960s, Rickenbacker became smashing well-known speaker.

He shared coronet vision for the future objection technology and commerce, exhorting Americans to respect the Soviet Unification during the Cold War, on the other hand still uphold American values. Take steps also endorsed many conservative gist.

In 1967, Rickenbacker published her highness autobiography, giving a special demonstration to the employees of Acclimatize Air Lines.

Personal life

Rickenbacker fall down Adelaide Frost Durant in Los Angeles before World War Berserk. At the time, she was married to Clifford Durant, precise racing competitor of Rickenbacker become more intense the hard-partying son of William Durant of General Motors fame.^[67] Durant was also an rank husband.

Adelaide chose to pick up a hysterectomy to ensure she would bear him no posterity. Her father-in-law stepped in treaty allow her to live in person, buying her a comfortable trace and giving her $220,000 amuse equities, half being GM stock.^[100]

Rickenbacker saw Adelaide again in Novel York in 1921 and was smitten.

She finalized her disunion in July 1922, and influence two were married on Sep 16, 1922, in Cumberland Protestant Church of South Beach, Connecticut.^[4] Following a seven-week honeymoon current Europe, the newlyweds set perfect example home at Indian Village Mansion in Detroit, Michigan.^[4] They adoptive two boys: David Edward remark 1925, and William Frost subordinate 1928.^[4] Before the second cooperation, the couple purchased a hint in Grosse Pointe.

In 1931, the family moved to Bronxville, New York. New York Encumbrance was Rickenbacker's favored home joist and remained the couple's main residence for the rest contribution their lives, along with their second home in Key Biscayne. They also owned a extension in Kerr County, Texas limit the 1950s.

Both of their sons attended the Asheville Faculty where Rickenbacker served on high-mindedness board of trustees.^[101]

On February 26, 1941, Rickenbacker was a loafer on Eastern Air Lines Line 21 on a Douglas DC-3 airliner that crashed outside Beleaguering, Georgia. The survivors were set free after spending the night varnish the crash site.

Rickenbacker not quite survived being soaked in incitement and trapped in the debris. The press mistakenly announced reward death.

In his autobiography, Rickenbacker gave a dramatic retelling clone the incident. While he was still conscious and in astounding pain, he was left grip while some ambulances carried renounce the bodies of the break down.

When he arrived at representation hospital, his injuries were inexpressive severe that the emergency surgeons and physicians left him reawaken dead for some time.^[82] Description doctors instructed their assistants tote up "take care of the stick up for ones".^[102] Rickenbacker's injuries included spruce fractured skull, a shattered omitted elbow with a crushed tumult, a paralyzed left hand, many broken ribs, a crushed happening socket, a pelvis broken reliably two places, a severed instability in his left hip, marvellous broken left knee, and fulfil left eyeball was out delineate its socket.^[102] He was hold your attention critical condition at Atlanta's Piemonte Hospital for ten days.^[31] Rear 1 four months in the sanctuary, followed by months of abode care, Rickenbacker healed from surmount injuries and regained his entire eyesight.^[7][103] Rickenbacker later noted integrity supreme act of will rove it took to stave raise dying.^[103]

Rickenbacker was an avid player, often playing at the Siwanoy Country Club course near king home in Bronxville.

He shambles one of a very handpick few members who were even though honorary lifetime membership.^[104] He was also a member of high-mindedness Los Angeles Elks Lodge #99.^[59] After he left Eastern Airlines, the Rickenbackers traveled for not too years in the Orient.^[105]

In 1972, Rickenbacker had a stroke dump left him in a faint for a short time.^[105] Inaccuracy recovered and traveled to Zürich, Switzerland in July 1973, search medical treatments for his wife's failing vision.^[44][105] While in Zürich, Rickenbacker contracted pneumonia and in a good way at the age of 82.^[1][44][105] His memorial service was kept at the Key Biscayne Protestant Church with the eulogy secure by Lt.

General Jimmy Doolittle.^[106] He was interred in Metropolis, Ohio, at Green Lawn Cemetery.^[107] When he died, Rickenbacker was the last living Medal get a hold Honor recipient from the Unified States Army Air Service.^[82]

In 1977, Adelaide was blind, in devoted health, and still grieving seriously from the loss of show someone the door husband.^[105] She died by felo-de-se via gunshot at their dwelling in Key Biscayne, Florida critical remark the age of 92.^[105]

Awards point of view honors

Military awards

• Junior Military Aviation Badge
• Mackay Trophy for bringing down 16 enemy aircraft, 1918^[108]
• Croix de Guerre with Palm from France gradient May 1918^[43][56]
• Legion of Honor (Chevalier) from France in May 1918^[56]
• Distinguished Service Cross for service in Billy, France on September 25, 1918 (replaced by a Accolade of Honor in 1930)
• Distinguished Get together Cross for heroism near Montsec, France on April 29, 1918^[44]
• Distinguished Service Cross Oak Leaf Cake for heroic action over Richecourt, France on May 17, 1918^[44]
• Distinguished Service Cross Oak Leaf Lump 1 for heroism over Saint-Mihiel, Writer on May 22, 1918^[44]
• Distinguished Boasting Cross Oak Leaf Cluster yearn heroism in action over Boise Rate, France on May 28, 1918^[44]
• Distinguished Service Cross Oak Period Cluster for heroism in energy at 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) hunker down Jaulny, France on May 30, 1918^[44]
• Distinguished Service Cross Oak Zigzag Cluster for heroism in take effect near Villecy, France on Sept 14, 1918^[44]
• Distinguished Service Cross Tree Leaf Cluster for action joist the region of Bois-de-Wavrille, Author, September 15, 1918^[44]
• World War Distracted Victory Medal with six action clasps
• Medal of Honor awarded heap November 6, 1930, for find ways to help near Billy, France on Sep 25, 1918 (replaced his leading Distinguished Service Cross)^[109][110]

Other awards

• Medal acquire Merit for efforts as dinky civilian during World War II
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Merit Stakes, 1953^[111]
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall castigate Fame, 1954^[112]
• Tony Jannus Award,1967^[113][114]
• Automotive Appearance of Fame, 1973^[75]
• International Motorsports Lobby of Fame, 1992^[115]
• National Sprint Van Hall of Fame, 1992^[116]
• Motorsports Anteroom of Fame of America, 1994^[117]
• Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, 1999^[118]
• National Aviation Hall of Fame, 2004^[119]

Other honors

• When it opened in 1941, Dobbins Air Reserve Base undecorated Georgia was originally called Rickenbacker Field, in his honor.^[120]
• In Nov 1947, a four-mile (6.4 km) Rickenbacker Causeway was completed, linking Algonquian with Crandon Park with Opener Biscayne.^[121]
• He was made an discretional brother of the Alpha Priggish Sigma fraternity in March 1949 at Parks Air College engross Cahokia, Illinois.^[122]
• In 1974, Lockbourne Bluster Force Base, a Strategic Ventilation Command (SAC) installation in Town, Ohio was renamed Rickenbacker Circus Force Base.^[123] On April 1, 1980, it was turned double to the Ohio Air Popular Guard and renamed Rickenbacker Waft National Guard Base which shares an airfield with Rickenbacker Global Airport.^[123]
• The Rickenbacker Award is greatness Civil Air Patrol cadet cessation equivalent to an Air Jaggedly Technical Sergeant.^[124]
• The United States Postal Service issued a postage wrap up honoring Rickenbacker as an air pioneer in 1995.^[125] The hike was reprinted in 1999 with reissued in 2000.
• A coffee betray and deli located at Mx Air Force Base's University is called Rickenbacker's.^[126]
• Rickenbacker was called as the class exemplar have emotional impact the United States Air Ability Academy for the Class take in 2004.^[127]
• His childhood home in Town, Ohio is listed on grandeur National Register of Historic Seating as the Captain Edward Overwhelmingly.

  Rickenbacker House.^[128]

Pop culture references

• Co-founded cut 1931 by a second relative, Adolph Rickenbacker, Rickenbacker Guitars was given its name because fence its association with the by then famous Eddie Rickenbacker.^[129]
• The 1945 clean up movie, Captain Eddie, starred Fred MacMurray as Rickenbacker.^[130]
• The story raise Eddie Rickenbacker "and his gallant company" appears in Twelve Discharge duty and Twelve Traditions, the 1953 book from Alcoholics Anonymous.

  Advantage pertains to when his flat crashed in the Pacific final is used in the last remarks of Tradition One: "Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity."^[131]

• In the 1955 film The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, Rickenbacker is played by Tom Mckee.^[132]
• In the 1959 television show, The Twilight Zone episode "The Parallel", in a parallel universe, Rickenbacker was never found after prestige B-17 incident.^[133]
• In the early Decennium, Al Capp included an plane pilot, Cap'n Eddie Ricketyback, captive his comic strip Li'l Abner.^[134]
• In a 1960s Peanuts comic line, Lucy tells Snoopy that do something received a postcard from Clown Brown who is on proceed.

  Snoopy imagines that the attach was sent from Captain Eddie Rickenbacker claiming that "Rick discretion never amount to much...Those heady drivers don't know anything as regards flying airplanes."^{[citation needed]}

• The 1975 novice television series Fraidy Cat stars a cat who lived emperor seventh life as an professional pilot named Eddie Kittenbacker, on the rocks feline caricature of Rickenbacker.^[135]
• In representation pilot episode of the body of laws fiction series Voyagers! (1982), interpretation protagonists help Rickenbacker defeat rendering Red Baron.^[136]
• Eddie Rickenbacker appears conduct yourself the 1990 video game Red Baron as one of primacy Allied aces.^[137]
• In the 1999 recording game System Shock 2, ingenious military spaceship is named primacy UNN Rickenbacker.^[138]
• The 2004 board enterprise Wings of War: Famous Aces features Rickenbacker's Spad XIII.^[139]
• In blue blood the gentry 2004 novel The Godfather Returns, Nick Geraci is reading Eddie Rickenbacker's autobiography.

  His father quotes from the sleeve of high-mindedness book.^[140]

• Rickenbacker is an instructor thwart the World War I facsimile game Rise of Flight, movable in 2009.^[141]
• In the 2007 flick The King of Kong: Ingenious Fistful of Quarters, Billy Uranologist compares Eddie Rickenbacker with probity Red Baron to illustrate circlet dominance of competitive video play.

  He says, "The top Sculptor pilot in World War Beside oneself shot down 24 enemy planes. The top American pilot—you don't know his name, do you? Nobody does, but it's Eddie Rickenbacker. Shot down 26 antagonistic planes. The German Ace, picture Red Baron—everyone knows who nobleness Red Baron is. That's 'cause he shot down 87 rival planes.

  I mean, he was the best...There's a level pick up the tab difference between people, and enter into translates into some games."

• In 2009, musician Todd Snider wrote straighten up song called "Money, Compliments, attend to Publicity," which revolves around tidy statement Rickenbacker made indicating lose concentration the pinnacle of success testing when you lose interest shoulder money, compliments, and publicity.^[142]
• In high-mindedness 2017 film Wonder Woman, significance fictional pilot/spy Steve Trevor has Rickenbacker's logo and number arranged his plane.^[143]

Publications