Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Edward
Vernon
Rickenbacker
October 8, 1890

–

July 23, 1973

Cemetery:

Greenlawn Cemetery

With 26 aerial victories (22 airplanes and 4 balloons), Eddie Rickenbacker survived World War I as America’s “ACE of ACEs.” The former race car driver’s 7 awards of the DSC (an eighth was upgraded to the Medal of Honor) is unprecedented and unmatched in US Military History. Following the war Rickenbacker was a pioneer in transportation, both automotive and in the air, founding and operating major airlines. During WWII he served as a special ambassador of the US Army Air Force, and was lost at sea in the Pacific for 24 days before he was rescued.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 30, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., on 30 May 1918, 4,000 meters over Jaulny, France. Captain Rickenbacker attacked a group of five enemy planes. After a violent battle, he shot down one plane and drove the others away.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 28, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., over Boise Rate, France, on 28 May 1918. Captain Rickenbacker sighted a group of two battle planes and four monoplanes, German planes, which he at once attacked vigorously, shooting down one and dispersing the others.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 25, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 2 (January 23, 1931)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Pilot, 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, Air Service, A.E.F., in action against the enemy near Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, First Lieutenant Rickenbacker attacked seven enemy planes (five type Fokker, protecting two type Halberstadt). Disregarding the odds against him, he dived on them and shot down one of the Fokkers out of control. He then attacked one of the Halberstadts and sent it down also.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 14, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Villecy, France, 14 September 1918. Captain Rickenbacker attacked four Fokker enemy planes at an altitude of 3,000 meters. After a sharp and hot action, he succeeded in shooting one down in flames and dispersing the other three.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 17, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., over Richecourt, France, on 17 May 1918. Captain Rickenbacker attacked three Albatross enemy planes, shooting one down in the vicinity of Richecourt, France, and forcing the others to retreat over their own lines.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 22, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., over St. Mihiel, France, on 22 May 1918. Captain Rickenbacker attacked three Albatross monoplanes 4,000 meters over St. Mihiel, France. He drove them back into German territory, separated one from the group, and shot it down near Flirey.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 15, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Bois-de-Wavrille, France, 15 September 1918. Captain Rickenbacker encountered six enemy planes, who were in the act of attacking four Spads, which were below them. Undeterred by their superior numbers, he unhesitatingly attacked them and succeeded in shooting one down in flames and completely breaking the formation of the others.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    April 29, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Montsec, France, 29 April 1918. Captain Rickenbacker attacked an enemy Albatross monoplane, and after a vigorous fight in which he followed his foe into German territory, he succeeded in shooting it down near Vigneulles-les-Hatton Chatel.