Every now and again, a special and unique individual comes along and accomplishes great things. Eddie R. was most certainly one of those people. Here is a list of just some of his achievements:
- Grade School Dropout
- Race Car Driver
- Purchased the Indianapolis Speedway
- He taught himself how to fly
- Became the number one Ace pilot of WW1
- Survived being lost at sea for 24 days
- Became the President of Eastern Airlines
Eddie Rickenbacker was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1890. From an early age, he had an unending fascination with machines and all things mechanical. At the age of 13, while in the 7th grade, he dropped out of school. He particularly liked automobiles and soon became a car salesman. He loved to drive at fast speeds and became a race car driver, driving in the Indianapolis 500 four times before WWI.
At the entry of US forces in WW1, Rickenbacker enlisted and traveled to France, where, as a Sergeant First Class, he put his mechanical abilities to good use working on airplanes. But Eddie wanted to fly airplanes instead. Most men at that time who were selected as pilots had college degrees, and Eddie struggled to get permission to be assigned as an engineering officer at an aerial training facility. He learned to fly in his spare time and convinced his superiors that he could be a combat pilot. He was placed with the 94th Aero Squadron, informally known as the Hat in the Ring Squadron”.
On April 29, 1918, he shot down his first plane. Less than one month later, he shot down his fifth and became an Ace. By September of that year, he was promoted to Captain and became Commander of the squadron. The following month, he shot down 13 more aircraft. By the time the war ended, Eddie Rickenbacker was the most famous combat fighter pilot of the war and had 26 victories. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and the US Medal of Honor.
After the war, Eddie purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ran it for 15 years.
In 1935, Eddie was asked to manage Eastern Air Transport, which he later merged with Florida Airways to form Eastern Air Lines.
He was the president of Eastern Air Lines and played a significant role in developing commercial aviation in the United States.
Airplane Crash Survivor
This account of a B-17 crash involving Eddie Rickenbacker is a gripping tale of survival and resilience. Here are the detailed events:
In October 1942, during World War II, Eddie Rickenbacker was on a special mission for the U.S. government. He was sent to deliver a secret message from the Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson, to General Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific. As a highly respected war hero and the president of Eastern Air Lines, Rickenbacker was chosen for this critical task due to his aviation expertise and reliability.
Rickenbacker and his crew flew in a B-17 Flying Fortress when they went off course due to a navigational error. After running out of fuel, the plane was forced to ditch in the Pacific Ocean. The crash occurred on October 21, 1942, about 600 miles northwest of Samoa.
Rickenbacker and the seven other survivors faced dire circumstances. They had minimal supplies—just a few life rafts, some food, and water rations. For 24 days, they drifted in the open sea, enduring extreme heat, storms, and the constant threat of sharks.
The crew caught rainwater for drinking and occasionally caught fish and birds for food. Rickenbacker’s leadership and positive attitude were crucial in keeping morale high among the men. He encouraged them to keep fighting for survival and not give up hope.
On November 13, 1942, the survivors were finally spotted by a Navy patrol plane. They were rescued by the U.S. Navy patrol vessel USS Gualala. Rickenbacker and his crew had lost significant weight and were severely dehydrated and weakened, but all of them survived.
Eddie Rickenbacker’s experience of surviving the B-17 crash and enduring 24 days at sea is a testament to his resilience, leadership, and indomitable human spirit.
Eddie Rickenbacker’s life was marked by adventure, bravery, and a pioneering spirit that left a lasting legacy in military and civilian aviation.
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