Eddie Rickenbacker is an American who seemingly lived ten lifetimes in one. He was a successful mechanic, automotive designer, race car driver, businessman, government consultant, fighter ace, and a pioneer in a number of fields. He survived many near-death experiences and racked up a huge list of achievements, each one worthy of their own book. He accomplished so much that it is perplexing how one individual could possibly fit it all in.
Rickenbacher
On October 8 1890 an immigrant couple welcomed a child into the world in Columbus, Ohio. The father of this child, Wilhelm, hoped to one day run his own successful business, but would, unfortunately, stay on a relatively low income. Lizzie, the child’s mother, cleaned laundry to increase the family’s income.
This child was Edward Rickenbacker.
Rickenbacker moved to the Columbus Buggy Company where he traveled the country as the company’s chief test engineer. At 19 years old he was responsible for all Firestone-Columbus operations in a number of states.
In a promotional stunt, Rickenbacker raced at an event in Iowa but didn’t finish after crashing. However, racing rapidly became a new passion so he took the practice more seriously and managed to score a place at the first-ever Indy 500. His team finished in 11th place.
Wartime
The year 1917 was the year when he officially adopted the name Rickenbacker; he was born Rickebacher but changed it during WWI to avoid the stigma attached to German-sounding names. Also during that year, Rickenbacker became the chauffeur for General John Pershing in France, who lead the American Expeditionary Force.
In 1918 Rickenbacker finally got his chance to fight; he was sent to gunnery school and subsequently assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron. As with racing he immediately became proficient at controlling an aircraft, downing five within two weeks of his first combat mission. Rickenbacker was now an ace.
To prove his dedication, he took an aircraft up on his own and attacked a group of seven enemy aircraft, bringing down two of them and earning the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). After the war, this was upgraded to the United States’ highest award, the Medal of Honor.
His service was once again needed during WWII, this time using his wealth of experience of war. During a flight across the Pacific in an old Boeing B-17, the aircraft drifted off course and ran out of fuel. Rickenbacker and the surviving crew lived in a lifeboat for the next 24 days, being exposed to baking heat and having no source of water or food. To eat, they caught fish from the ocean.