Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

 

Eddie Rickenbacker of Columbus, Ohio first gained fame as a race car driver prior to America's entry into WWI. As the U.S. prepared to send its first troops overseas, Rickenbacker was offered the position of chauffeur to General Pershing. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and after arriving in France, he was transferred to the U.S. Air Service and sent to Tours to learn to fly. He was then made Engineering Officer at the U.S. flying school at Issoudun because of his unusual knowledge of gasoline engines. When the first group of newly trained U.S. pilots got ready to leave for the front, Rickenbacker requested to go with them. His request was approved by Major Carl Spaatz and Rickenbacker was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron. Almost immediately he demonstrated his exceptional combat ability and by the end of the war, he was our nation's leading ace with 26 confirmed victories, despite the fact that through most of June, July, and August 1918, he had not been permitted to fly combat missions because of severe ear infections. Also, he was personally by Gen. Billy Mitchell to assume command of the 94th Aero Squadron the day before the Meuse-Argonne offensive began. On November 6, 1930 President Herbert Hoover awarded the coveted Medal of Honor to Rickenbacker for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in attacking seven enemy airplanes while of September 25, 1918, shooting down two. Captain Rickenbacker passed away July 23,1973.