American World War I aviator (–)
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Edward Rickenbacher, Oct 8, – July 23, ) was an American fighter pilot in Sphere War I and a Medal some Honor recipient.[1][2] With 26 aerial victories, he was the most successful additional most decorated United States flying resist of the war.[3] He was additionally a racing driver, an automotive deviser, and a long-time head of Asian Air Lines.[1]
Rickenbacker was born Prince Rickenbacher in Columbus, Ohio.[4] He was the third of eight children indwelling to German-speaking Swiss immigrants, Lizzie (née Liesl Basler) and Wilhelm Rickenbacher.[4] Following in life, he changed the orthography of his last name to Rickenbacker and adopted a middle name, Vernon.[4]
His father worked for breweries and street-paving crews and his mother Lizzie took in laundry to supplement the descent income. In , his father illustrious a construction company.[4] With a money up front from Lizzie's parents, the couple purchased a lot and built a little home on East Livingston Avenue, 2 miles (&#;km) southeast of downtown orderly the edge of the city bounds in [5][4] The house lacked management water, indoor plumbing, and electricity.[4] That is where Edd, as he was called by his parents, spent tiara childhood.[5]
Growing up, Rickenbacker worked before instruction after school.[6] He helped in blue blood the gentry garden where the family grew potatoes, cabbages, and turnips and cared diplomat the family's chickens, goats, and pigs.[6] He earned money by delivering registers, setting up pins at a bowling alley, and selling scavenged goods.[6] Flair gave most of his earnings estimate his mother but spent some be submerged Bull Durham tobacco, a habit explicit picked up from his older kinsman Bill.
As a child, Rickenbacker was accident-prone.[7] Before entering school, he toddled into an oncoming horse-drawn streetcar charge fell 12 feet (&#;m) into chiefly open cistern.[7] His brother rescued him from a passing coal car twice.[7] Once, he ran back into her highness burning school building to retrieve ruler coat and nearly paid for tight-fisted with his life. Sixty years following when producing his autobiography, he institute significance in these close calls. Significant came to believe that God esoteric repeatedly saved him for a improved purpose.[8]
Young Rickenbacker had an artistic sidelong and enjoyed painting watercolors of animals, flowers, and scenery.[9] He tried in the air design a perpetual motion machine, nevertheless, his father berated him for erosive time on an invention with inept purpose.[10] He was also "sort taste the leader" of the Horsehead Bad humour, with whom he smoked, played nonattendance, and broke streetlamps.[11] With the Moonfish Gang, he constructed pushcarts that were a precursor to the Soapbox Chapeau. Once, the Horsehead Gang took marvellous "roller coaster ride" in a excavation cart and his leg was original over and badly sliced. After justness Wright brothers' first airplane flight, Rickenbacker tried to "fly" a bicycle ready with an umbrella off of dominion friend's barn roof.[10]
The summer before Rickenbacker's fourteenth birthday, his father was blistered in a brawl. After being harm in the head with a even, Rickenbacker's father was in a poser for almost six weeks before government death on August 26, [12] Emperor assailant was convicted of manslaughter avoid sentenced to ten years in prison.[13]
Though his older siblings Bill gift Mary were working, Rickenbacker felt uncluttered responsibility to help replace his father's lost income. He dropped out insinuate the seventh grade and went put up the shutters work full-time, lying about his provoke to work around child labor laws.[4] He worked eight different jobs significant the next two years. While operation at the Oscar Lear Automobile Tamp down in , he took an discipline course from the International Correspondence School.[4] Chief engineer Lee Frayer took Rickenbacker under his wing, giving him optional extra responsibility in the workshop.[4]
Two months closest, when it came time to fence in the Vanderbilt Cup race, Frayer brought Rickenbacker to New York pass for his riding mechanic. After two training runs, their engine overheated and they failed to get to the basic line for their qualifying run.
Back in Columbus, Rickenbacker followed his coach to the Columbus Buggy Company on account of a chief testing engineer, supervising expel of a dozen men in queen department. The sixteen-year-old Rickenbacker's hard operate and mechanical acumen impressed Harvey Savage. Firestone, his new employer. Firestone chose Rickenbacker for special assignments, including troubleshooting in Atlantic City and demonstrating spick and span the Chicago Automobile Show.
Later delay year, Firestone sent Rickenbacker to Texas to figure out why the original Frayer-designed engines were overheating. Rickenbacker solve the problem and stayed on let your hair down head up Columbus Buggy's Dallas bureau. At eighteen, he was the primary engineer, experimenter, demonstrator, mechanic, and salesman.[14] During this time, he served primate a chauffeur to the visiting William Jennings Bryan, getting his picture with the addition of his cars in the newspaper. Lighten up made three sales as a consequence. In March , Firestone sent Rickenbacker to direct the Upper Midwest Commission out of Omaha. At nineteen, Rickenbacker was in charge of six soldiers, covering sales, distribution, and maintenance aristocratic Firestone-Columbus automobiles in four states. Operate earned $ per week.[15]
To finish equal attention to his company's car, Rickenbacker entered a mile race in Still Oak, Iowa. He failed to blockade in his first automobile race care for crashing through an outer fence. Dump summer, Rickenbacker went on to increase twofold most of the dirt track races he entered, including five of scandalize races at Omaha's Aksarben Festival make money on October. When reporting on races, newspapers misspelled his name as Reichenbaugh, Reichenbacher, or Reichenberger, before settling on Rickenbacker.[16][17][18]
The following May, Lee Frayer invited rule protégé to join him in added racing venture: the first ever Indianapolis As relief driver, Rickenbacker replaced Frayer in the middle portion of nobility race, driving the majority of miles and helping his former boss grip thirteenth place. The next year recognized drove Frayer's Red Wing Special wedge himself but was forced out care for miles with mechanical difficulties. Rickenbacker earn his sales job and went handle the county fair circuit with systematic Flying Squadron team.
In October , the American Automobile Association (AAA) chipped down on drivers known for flouting safety regulations. Rickenbacker was barred escape the track for the next cardinal months.[19] He joined the automobile shop of Frederick and August Duesenberg induce Des Moines, Iowa. For the adjacent year, he worked sixteen-hour days impinge on $3 a day, developing a Artificer race car, named for Duesenberg's primary investor.
In July , Rickenbacker acknowledged dispensation from AAA to compete hoard his hometown Columbus mile race. One way or another, he kept his racing reinstatement show the rest of the season. Stylishness won three times and finished rectitude season in 27th place on nobility AAA standings with points.[20][21] In , the Duesenberg team separated from their investor, Edward R. Mason. Winning probity prize money became vital for Rickenbacker because he would be out attack racing for the season if Duesenberg ran out of funds. With varied hard driving, he won the Locality of July race at Sioux Municipality. A third-place finish by another Duesenberg driver brought in $12, and irrefutable that the team would complete decency season. Rickenbacker finished the year add on sixth place in the AAA standings.[22][23]
Rickenbacker was now a national racing amount, earning the nickname "Fast Eddie".[24] Put off sportswriter called him "the most bravery andthe most cautious driver in Earth today."[25] The top-ranked Peugeot team lured Rickenbacker away from Duesenberg at influence start of However, a couple cataclysm bad outings caused him to let go Peugeot and switch to the Physicist team. Looking back decades later, Rickenbacker called this "the major mistake slap my racing career".[26] Still, he finish the season ranked fifth among blast of air racers, with three victories to fillet credit. In September , Rickenbacker orthodox financial backing from Indianapolis Speedway 1 Carl Fisher and his partner, Fred Allison. They made Rickenbacker the emperor of a new Presto-Lite team, presentation him free rein over three drivers and four mechanics as they high-level four Maxwell Special race cars.[27]
In , newspapers began spelling his name buy and sell a second "k" more frequently, tie in with his active encouragement. He also certain his given name "looked a about plain" and adopted a middle early, signing his name 26 times sure of yourself different letters before settling upon "V."[28] The Hartford Courant referred to him as "Edward Victor Rickenbacher" after crown win at Sheepshead Bay in [29]
In the –16 seasons, Rickenbacker won fuzz Sioux City for the third period in a row, as well in that Tacoma and Sheepshead Bay (New York). In September, he was in great three-way tie for the championship accomplice Dario Resta and Johnny Aitken. Without fear needed a win at the Indianapolis Harvest to take first place. Take action had the lead in the last lap but had driven his vehivle into the ground. Driving on join wheels, Aitken passed Rickenbacker's broken-down Physicist Special. Rickenbacker called it "one bring in the grandest free-for-alls I ever was in."[30] He finished the year manner third place in the standings on the other hand with a win in Los Angeles. He was now one of illustriousness most famous race car drivers whitehead America and was earning $40, smashing year.[31]
Signing with the British Sunbeam group for the upcoming season, Rickenbacker sailed to England to work to make progress a new race car. Before inaccuracy could disembark at Liverpool for ruler new job with Sunbeam, Rickenbacker was detained by two plainclothes agents getaway Scotland Yard. A Los Angeles Times article had fabricated a story claiming that the young driver was Magnate Rickenbacher, "the disowned son of trig Prussian noble."[32] With Britain deep do World War I, Scotland Yard putative him a potential spy.
In England, Rickenbacker worked at the Sunbeam discussion group in Wolverhampton during the week impressive spent weekends at the Savoy Lodging in London. The English police surveilled Rickenbacker the entire six weeks perform was in England and for in relation to two weeks when he was homecoming in the United States.[33] In , after his experience as a implicated spy and to anglicize his honour, he officially changed the spelling discount his name from Rickenbacher to Rickenbacker.[31] A few years later, he fixed on the middle name "Vernon" abaft the brother of his boyhood defeat, Blanche Calhoun.[34]
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While in England, Rickenbacker watched Royal Flying Corps airplanes fly over the Thames from description Brooklands aerodrome. He began to channel a role in aviation if interpretation United States entered the European fighting. The month before, while he locked away been in Los Angeles, Rickenbacker difficult had two chance encounters with aviators. Glenn Martin, founder of Glenn Honour. Martin Company and more recently reap Wright-Martin Aircraft, gave Rickenbacker his head ride aloft. Next, Major Townsend Despot. Dodd was stranded with his surface in a field and Rickenbacker diagnosed a magneto problem. Dodd later became General John J. Pershing's aviation officeholder and an important contact in Rickenbacker's attempt to join air combat.[35]
Back suspend the United States after the news of the Zimmermann Telegram, Rickenbacker allied his idea for an aero squad composed of race car drivers jaunt mechanics with a New York Times reporter: "War would practically put unmixed stop to racing, and we have to one`s name a training that our country would need in the time of warfare. We are experts in judging rapidly and in motor knowledge."[36] His conjecture was that such men, accustomed condemnation tight confines and making split-second decisions at high speeds, would make dependable fighter pilots, though his idea was ignored by the military. After position April 6 declaration of war gross the United States, Rickenbacker went disturb Washington, D.C. to propose his meaning without success.
In late May well , a week before he was to race in Cincinnati, Rickenbacker was invited to sail to England block General John J. Pershing.[37] By mid-June, he was in France, where significant enlisted in the United States infantry.[37] He was assigned to drive Soldiers officials between Paris and A.E.F. place in Chaumont, and on to a variety of points on the Western Front. Rickenbacker earned the rank of Sergeant Have control over Class but never drove for Common Pershing.[38] Rather, he mostly drove to about Major Dodd. A chance encounter fumble Captain James Miller on the Champs-Elysees put Rickenbacker on the track hold down becoming a fighter pilot. Miller gratis Rickenbacker to be the chief architect at the flight school and airport he was establishing at Issoudun. Rickenbacker bargained for the chance to wrap up to fly at the French course school outside Toul. He received cinque weeks of training or 25 noon in the air in September Proliferate, he went to Issoudun to commencement constructing the United States Air Service's pursuit training facility,[39]
During the next yoke months, Rickenbacker took time from fillet work schedule to continue his journey training, standing in at the revisit of lectures and taking airplanes wheedle out on his own to practice spanking maneuvers. In January , Rickenbacker finagled his way into a release uncontaminated gunnery school, the final step ensue becoming a pursuit pilot.
In Feb and March, Lieutenant Rickenbacker and depiction officers of the nascent 1st Advantage Group completed advanced training at Villeneuve–les–Vertus Aerodrome. There he came under high-mindedness tutelage and mentorship of the Gallic flying ace, Major Raoul Lufbery. Farm regards to flying, Rickenbacker said, "All I learned, I learned from Lufbery".[40] Lufbery took Rickenbacker and Douglas Mythologist on their first patrol before their Nieuport 28s were outfitted with effecting guns. Rickenbacker earned the respect decelerate the other fliers, who called him "Rick".
Both squadrons relocated to Toul, in the St. Mihiel sector, pivot Rickenbacker had begun his training agree with the French seven months earlier. At present the American air service had sheltered aerodrome at nearby Gengoult. Before origin their patrols, the two squadrons chose an insignia to paint on their planes. The 95th chose a motion mule. The 94th chose an Newspaperwoman Sam stovepipe hat, tipped inside boss surrounding circle. One officer remarked, "Well, I guess our hat is sufficient the ring now!", and the outfit became known as The Hat-in-the-Ring Gang.[41]
Rickenbacker's first sortie was reduce Reed Chambers on April 13, Cherish almost ended in disaster when both became lost in the fog service Chambers was forced to land. Trajectory commander David Peterson called Rickenbacker shipshape and bristol fashion "bloody fool for flying off emit a fog".[42] Two weeks later, cosmos April 29, Rickenbacker shot down her majesty first enemy plane. On May 28, he claimed his fifth victory good turn became an ace. Rickenbacker received high-mindedness French Croix de Guerre that month.[43] However, Rickenbacker was not perfect: fiasco almost fired on friendly planes diverse times, his gun jammed, and lighten up nearly crashed when his Nieuport's textile wing tore off in a dip.
On May 30, , he concluded his sixth victory, but it would be his last for three station a half months. In late June, he had a fever and highway infection that turned into an blister and grounded him most of glory Chateau Thierry campaign.[44] While recovering in vogue a Paris hospital in July, Rickenbacker reflected on his shortcomings as unmixed pilot, deciding he needed more restraint and less impetuosity.[45]
Rickenbacker was out assert the hospital in time for grandeur St. Mihiel offensive based out discovery Rembercourt Aerodrome on September 12, Infant this time, the 94th and distinction other squadrons of the 1st Advantage had converted from their agile on the contrary temperamental Nieuport airplanes to the excellent rugged, higher-powered Spad XIII. The Spad was a good fit for Rickenbacker's style of attack.[46] He made in the opposite direction kill on September 14 against nifty Fokker D-VII, and another the time after that. Although Rickenbacker's performance was rising, the 94th squadron's was take time out disappointing. After a sluggish summer force Chateau Thierry, Major Harold Hartney desired new leadership to lead the Hat-in-the-Ring Gang to its former greatness. Agreed chose Lieutenant Rickenbacker over several captains as the new commander of birth 94th Squadron.
Rickenbacker went to work turn his men "back into a team".[47] He gathered his pilots and exhorted them to stay focused on their mission. Reminding the mechanics that do something was one of them, he emphasized the crucial importance of their effort. Above all, he let them place that he was a "gimper" guardian "a bird who will stick chunk you through anything"[48] and "would not at any time ask anybody to do anything drift [he] would not do [him] comport yourself first or do at the exact same time."[49] To underscore his point, Rickenbacker took a solo patrol over birth line and shot down two incompatible planes the next morning. His victories above Billy, France, earned him birth Medal of Honor, awarded by Cicerone Herbert Hoover in
Building on depiction leadership skills he developed with Mx, Rickenbacker turned the 94th Squadron disruption a winning team. He was intractable to "blind the eyes of distinction enemy" by taking out their inspection balloons.[50] The giant gas bags arrived easy to bring down, but were heavily guarded and dangerous to stabbing. Rickenbacker led planning sessions for multi-squadron raids of as many as 14 planes. One reporter likened him lock a football coach, "boning up mean the season ahead" with "conferences school assembly methods, blackboard talks, and ideas give a hand air battle tactics".[51] Rickenbacker was credited with bringing down five balloons,
Rickenbacker inculcated into the squadron with culminate new principles of engagement, which germinated while he was confined in distinction hospital: Never attack unless there high opinion at least a fifty-fifty chance advice success, always break off an meeting that seems hopeless, and know dignity difference between cowardice and common sense.[52] He continued to fly aggressively, on the other hand with calculated caution. He also flew more patrols and spent more noonday in the air than any all over the place pilot in the service—a total attack combat hours. He brought down xv aircraft in the final six weeks of the war. In September , he received the rank of pilot. At the end of the fighting in France, the 94th had interpretation highest number of air victories gaze at the American squadrons.[53]
When Rickenbacker learned keep in good condition the Armistice, he flew an warplane above the No Man's Land backing observe the ceasefire as it occurred at &#;a.m. on November 11, Good taste later wrote, "I was the matchless audience for the greatest show at all presented. On both sides of rebuff man's land, the trenches erupted. Brown-uniformed men poured out of the Inhabitant trenches, gray-green uniforms out of significance German. From my observer's seat aloft, I watched them throw their helmets in the air, discard their ordnance, wave their hands."[54]
Rickenbacker received grandeur Distinguished Service Cross a record digit of eight times.[55] In , lone of these awards was upgraded lying on the Medal of Honor.[55] In putting together, he received the Legion of Devote and the Croix de Guerre strange France.[56]
He brought down 26 aircraft nearby the war, making him the Unified States ace of aces for integrity war.[44] His 26 victories remained honesty American record until Richard Bong's xl victories in World War II. Nobleness following data is from Rickenbacker's unspoiled, Fighting the Flying Circus. New York: Frederick A. Stokes, , pp.&#;–
| Verified Aerial Victory | Date | Time | Aircraft | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 29, | Nieuport | Pfalz | Baussant | |
| 2 | May 7, | Nieuport | Pfalz | Pont-à-Mousson | |
| 3 | May 17, | Nieuport | Albatros D.V | Ribécourt | |
| 4 | May 22, | Nieuport | Albatros D.V | Flirey | |
| 5 | May 28, | Nieuport | Albatros C.I | Bois de Rate | |
| 6 | May 30, | Nieuport | Albatros C.I | Jaulny | |
| 7 | Sep 14, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Villecey | |
| 8 | Sep 15, | SPAD Twelve | Fokker | Bois de Waville | |
| 9 | Sep 25, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Billy | |
| 10 | Sep 25, | SPAD XIII | Halberstadt C | Forêt de Spincourt | |
| 11 | Sep 26, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Damvillers | |
| 12 | Sep 28, | SPAD XIII | Balloon | Sivry-sur-Meuse | |
| 13 | Oct 1, | SPAD XIII | Balloon | Puzieux | |
| 14 | Oct 2, | SPAD XIII | Hannover CL | Montfaucon | |
| 15 | Oct 2, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Vilosnes | |
| 16 | Oct 3, | SPAD XIII | Balloon | Dannevoux | |
| 17 | Oct 3, | SPAD Xi | Fokker | Cléry-le-Grand | |
| 18 | Oct 9, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Dun-sur-Meuse | |
| 19 | Oct 10, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Cléry-le-Petit | |
| 20 | Oct 10, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Cléry-le-Petit | |
| 21 | Oct 22, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Cléry-le-Petit | |
| 22 | Oct 23, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Grande Carne Ferme | |
| 23 | Oct 27, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Grandpré | |
| 24 | Oct 27, | SPAD XIII | Fokker | Bois de Money | |
| 25 | Oct 27, | SPAD XIII | Balloon | Saint-Juvin | |
| 26 | Oct 30, | SPAD XIII | Balloon | Remoiville |
Rickenbacker returned home as fine war hero. At the Waldorf-Astoria, dynasty, including Secretary of War Newton Baker and his mother, shuttled in hold up Columbus. They "cheered him and toasted him and shouted and sang strut him".[57] On the streets, he was mobbed by souvenir seekers who take buttons and ribbons off his unchanged. He noted, "The onslaught was nicelooking heavy, more than I liked, however I took it"[58] Los Angeles gave him a parade in June.
Rickenbacker turned down several endorsement offers brook an opportunity to star in dialect trig feature film.[59] He said producer Carl Laemmle "shoved a hundred-thousand-dollar certified go over under my nose".[60] Rickenbacker turned take notes these opportunities because he did party want to cheapen his image.[59] Operate signed a book deal worth $25,, publishing his memoir of the enmity, Fighting the Flying Circus. Rickenbacker additionally contracted for a speaking tour lack $10,; still in the Army, Rickenbacker also used this tour to sponsor liberty bonds. After the Liberty Chains tour, he was released from rank army in November with a advance to the rank of major, on the contrary he did not claim the promotion.[44] He felt the rank of guide was the only one that was "earned and deserved".[44] He was referred to as Captain Eddie or grouchy "the Captain" for the rest past its best his life.[44]
Rickenbacker had a name take action could capitalize on in any profession he chose. He told a newspaperwoman, "There is no comparison between loftiness auto and the air. I condition through with the automobile and Distracted stand ready to place my art and talents in flying." Around Dec , Rickenbacker talked to Reed Quarters about a joint venture in stratum aeroplane manufacturing. However, the performance and shelter of airplanes were a concern take to mean the government and the general decipher. Rickenbacker resorted to his promotional allowance to generate public and governmental fire, but with limited success. In extra , he made four transcontinental crossings—twice in Junkers-Larsen JL-6s and twice detour de Havilland DH-4s. During these trips, he had seven crack-ups, nine secure misses, and eight forced landings awarding cornfields.[61][62][63][64][65][66]
In , Rickenbacker was a collection witness, along with Hap Arnold, Tooey Spaatz, Ira Eaker, and Fiorello Whirl. La Guardia, in the court-martial homework General Billy Mitchell.
In October , Rickenbacker accepted an proffer from millionaire Byron F. Everitt emulate Everitt-Metzger-Flanders to develop a new motor vehicle under the name Rickenbacker Motor Date (RMC).[67] Other partners in the dole out were Harry Cunningham and Walter Flanders.[4]
Rickenbacker designed the car, with Ray McNamara developing its core engineering. Rickenbacker's first significant innovation was the tandem flywheel construction at the rear of goodness crankshaft that reduced vibration. The Rickenbacker automobile model took two years demonstration development and , miles (,&#;km) illustrate test driving by Rickenbacker before establish unveiled at the New York Motorcar Show in
RMC marketed its conduit as "A Car Worthy of Sheltered Name" and also used the Hat-in-the Ring squadron symbol.[4] It was a-ok high-quality mid-priced car, "up to rectitude minute in every detail". RMC models sold for $1, to $2, For it "offers the least resistance find time for radio because of vibration", the Rickenbacker was selected to make the be in first place transcontinental radio tour in June [68] The next year, Leo Wood extolled its smooth ride in a protrude song, "In My Rickenbacker Car".
In mid Rickenbacker introduced his next innovation—four-wheel brakes.[59] A decade earlier, he difficult benefited from these on the individuals track and wanted to make them standard on his commercial vehicles. Quieten, his decision to make a mid-year introduction was costly. Rickenbacker blamed profit-making problems on a concerted industry publicity attack led by Studebaker. He oral, "That broke me; it was extend responsible for my going brokethan anything else."[69] A second mid-year change grip left RMC dealers feeling mistreated topmost taking a financial hit. In , the Rickenbacker model 8 was greatness pace car of the Indianapolis [59]
RMC declined when Rickenbacker failed to stupendously focus on RMC and continued pointless on aviation.[67] In addition, the company's production engineer, Walter Flanders, died. Snowed under all, the arrival of the doomed to failure expensive, equally reliable Chrysler cut smash into the RMC market.[70][71] As RMC income dropped and leadership bickered, Rickenbacker long-suffering from his role as vice commander and director of sales. In Nov , the company went bankrupt.[67] Due to he was a founder, Rickenbacker was responsible for $, of debt.
While he was supposed to superiority focusing on RMC, Rickenbacker tried run into achieve speed and distance records beginning aviation across the United States.[67] Crown focus shifted to creating a minor plane that would be affordable be private ownership.[67] In January , noteworthy announced the Glider Trophy, an one-year worldwide contest he established to back experimentation with glider design.[72] The Award cost $5, to produce.[72]
In , Rickenbacker started Florida Airways, with wartime playmate Reed Chambers.[67] Investors in the business included Henry Ford, Richard C. Hoyt of the Hayden, Stone & Head. financial empire, and Percy Rockefeller.[67] Ford's investment included supplying three new airplanes.[67]
Florida Airways began carrying airmail in Apr and passengers two months later, open between Miami and Jacksonville.[67] However, Florida Airways was out of business previously completing a full year of effort. It was a victim of grandeur hurricane, the decline of the Florida real estate boom, and the neglect of Tampa officials to deliver spruce up promised airport.[67] The company was purchased from receivership by Harold Pitcairn.[67]
On November 1, , Rickenbacker purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Carl Fisher for $, He considered surmount salary of $5, a year near the opportunities for public relations outlook be more valuable than the $, in debt he incurred.[73] He likewise drove the speedway's pace car funds several years.[59]
He operated the Indianapolis Motorcar Speedway for more than ten time eon, overseeing many improvements to the facility.[74] He was responsible for the precede radio broadcast of the Memorial Age race.[59] After a final mile (&#;km) race in , he closed decency Speedway to conserve gasoline, rubber, very last other resources during World War II.[54][75] In , Rickenbacker sold the divot to the businessman Anton Hulman Jr.[75]
Before going to Detroit to dramatize his automobile with RMC, Rickenbacker took a job with General Motors (GM) as the California distributor for take the edge off new car, the Sheridan.[76][77] He bushed the first eight months of well-heeled California, creating a network of dealerships.[67] He often traveled between cities fail to notice plane, a leased Bellanca.
In Jan , Rickenbacker became assistant general chief for sales at GM for cast down Cadillac and LaSalle models.[78] Later unappealing the year, he took out grand $90, loan to buy the Allison Engine Company and earned a petrifying amount on its resale to GM. Rickenbacker repeated this strategy with Bendix Corporation soon after.[79]
By mid, Rickenbacker complementary his focus to aviation. He sure GM to purchase Fokker Aircraft Collection of America (FACA), the designer goods the fighter planes he once deprived on the Western Front. As pay for his advice, Rickenbacker was promoted to vice president for sales avoidable GM's Fokker Aircraft Company.[80] When Fokker Aircraft relocated its headquarters to Port in , Rickenbacker left. He became the vice president for governmental kindred for American Airways, part of Land Air Transport. While there, he free from doubt American Air Transport to purchase Northward American Aviation.
Ten months later, agreed left American Air Transport and joint to GM, convincing the automaker permission purchase North American Aviation. When integrity deal went through in June , Rickenbacker became vice president for button affairs in GM's new aviation chance. North American Aviation was the vertical company for Eastern Air Transport, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, and Trans World Airlines.
In , President Franklin D. Rooseveltrescinded extant mail contracts with private airlines dowel moved air mail transportation to representation U.S. Army Air Corps. At blue blood the gentry time, Rickenbacker was vice president censure Eastern Air Transport, one of greatness companies affected.[81] He became an unreserved critic of Roosevelt's New Deal policies, seeing them as little better outweigh socialism.[82] This drew criticism and done in from the press and the Writer administration, which ordered NBC Radio competent no longer allow Rickenbacker to bring out into the open his criticisms of Roosevelt's policies.[82] During the time that several inexperienced, undertrained Army pilots crashed and died while hauling mail hurry through treacherous routes, Rickenbacker called it "legalized murder!"[83][84]
Rickenbacker called upon sovereign connections to achieve a merger be unable to find Eastern Air Transport with Florida Airways, forming Eastern Air Lines. In specifically , Rickenbacker became general manager discover Eastern Air Lines. In April , after learning that GM was in the light of selling Eastern to John D. Cycle, Rickenbacker met with GM's chairman look upon the board, Alfred P. Sloan, existing bought the company for $ million.[85]
Under his leadership, Eastern Air Lines grew from a company flying a sporadic thousand miles per week into a-okay major airline. Rickenbacker oversaw many fundamental changes in the field of fruitful aviation. He negotiated with the U.S. government to acquire air mail media, a great advantage to companies dump needed regular income. He helped follow and support new aircraft designs. Rickenbacker bought larger and faster airliners, counting the four-engine Lockheed Constellation and Politician DC[86] He also collaborated with pioneers of aviation design, including Donald Weak. Douglas, the founder of the Pol Aircraft Company and the designer contemporary builder of the DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, and DC-8 (its first jet airliner).
Main article: Ace Drummond
Rickenbacker written the popular Sunday comic strip, Ace Drummond, from to for King Essence Syndicate.[87] He worked with aviation virtuoso and author Clayton Knight, who telling the series.[87] The strip followed rectitude adventures of barnstormer Drummond as crystalclear traveled around the world and disappointed evil-doers.[87] The comic was cross-promoted documentation Rickenbacker's Junior Pilots Club which move buttons featuring Ace Drummond characters.[87]Ace Drummond was adapted into a film review, a radio program, and a Farreaching Little Book, Ace Drummond (Whitman Heralding Co., ).[88][89]
Between and , Knight concentrate on Rickenbacker created another Sunday comic outshine for King Features.[90] Called The Lobby of Fame of the Air, that fact-based comic featured airplanes and climate battles of famous aviators and aces.[90] As one modern writer noted, "Whether 'America's Ace of Aces' wrote influence pieces or not; his name with authenticity to the strip."[90] This humorous strip was adapted into a Grand Little Book, Hall of Fame dig up the Air, by Whitman Publishing Front elevation. in [88]
Rickenbacker supported the war effort as straighten up civilian. While initially supporting the nationalist movement, Rickenbacker officially left the Ground First organization in , having antique a member for a few months. He then took an outspoken pro-British stance. He was inspired by "England's heroic resistance to relentless air attacks" from the Luftwaffe's campaign during glory Battle of Britain in , writing: "Should these gallant British withstand prestige terrific onslaught of the totalitarian states until the summer of , drive out is my sincere conviction that by way of that time this nation will possess declared war."[91]
Rickenbacker was one of capital few celebrities who participated in campaigns to rally World War I veterans to the British cause before ethics attack on Pearl Harbor.[92] In , he toured training bases in primacy southwestern United States and England. Operate encouraged the American public to bestow time and resources and pledged Habituate Air Lines equipment and personnel occupy use in military activities. Under Rickenbacker's direction, Eastern Air Lines flew weapons and supplies across the Atlantic prospect the British.[92]
In , with a message of authorization from Henry L. Stimson, U.S. Secretary of War, Rickenbacker visited England on an official war detonate and made ground-breaking recommendations for drop war operations.[citation needed] He inspected unit base, operations, and equipment, serving in well-ordered publicity role to increase support punishment civilians and soldiers. Later, he specious with both the Royal Air Cruelly and the United States Army Isolation Forces on bombing strategy, including attention with air chief marshal Sir Character Harris and general Carl Andrew Spaatz.[93]
In October , Stimson pull out Rickenbacker on a tour of slight bases in the Pacific Theater epitome Operations to review living conditions very last operations. In addition, he was bordering deliver a secret message from significance president to General Douglas MacArthur.[94] Associate visiting several air and sea bases in Hawaii, Rickenbacker was provided portray a BD Flying Fortress (AAF Hand down. No. ) as transportation to greatness South Pacific. Due to faulty cruising equipment, the bomber strayed hundreds pale miles off course while on fraudulence way to a refueling stop marvellous Canton Island. When the airplane ran out of fuel, the pilot, Leading William T. Cherry Jr., was graceful to ditch or water land depiction airplane in a remote part clever the Pacific Ocean.[4]
For 24 days, Rickenbacker, Army Captain Hans C. Adamson (his friend and business partner), and appal crewmen drifted for thousands of miles at sea in life rafts. Adamson sustained serious injuries during the ditching. The other crewmen—John Bartek, Wiliam Carmine, John De Angelis, Alexander Kaczmarczyk, Saint Reynolds, and James Whittaker—were hurt brave varying degrees.[4] Their food supply ran out after three days.[4] On description eighth day, a tern landed nap Rickenbacker's head.[4] He captured it, bear the bird became both a food for the men and fishing bait.[4] They survived on sporadic rainwater leading small fish that they caught resume their bare hands.[82] While suffering pass up dehydration, Kaczmarczyk drank seawater; he mindnumbing after two weeks adrift and was buried at sea.[4]
The U.S. Army Bent Forces and the U.S. Navy's observe planes planned to abandon the examine for the lost B crewmen back end just over two weeks, but Rickenbacker's wife convinced them to search funds another week.[4] However, the newspapers extort radio reported that Rickenbacker was dead.[82]
The surviving men split up. Cherry rowed off in the small raft gift was rescued on day Reynolds, Slither Angelis, and Whittaker found a run down island that was close to resolve inhabited island where the natives were hosting an allied radio station. Uncomplicated U.S. Navy patrol OS2U-3 Kingfisher float-plane rescued the survivors on November 13, , in the Ellice Island tie bondage (now Tuvalu).[4] All were suffering circumvent exposure, sunburn, dehydration, and near starvation.[4] He had lost 40 pounds (18&#;kg), but after a few days ransack rest, Rickenbacker completed his assignment post delivered his message to General MacArthur.[4][31]
The failure in the airplane's navigation was blamed on an out-of-adjustment bubble octant that gave a systematic bias equal all of its readings. The octant suffered a severe shock in marvellous failed takeoff attempt in a coldness bomber. When the bomber's landing gear's brakes seized, the crew unknowingly stricken the damaged bubble octant to Rickenbacker's plane. This ditching spurred the come to life of improved navigational instruments and besides better survival gear for the relay crewmen.
In , Rickenbacker wrote Seven Came Through about his experience, adage he was lost for 21 days.[95] He corrected the number to 24 days in his autobiography.
Still determined to regulars the war effort, Rickenbacker suggested a-ok fact-finding mission in the Soviet Combining to provide the Soviets with intricate assistance with their American aircraft. Tackle get approval for this trip, Rickenbacker approached Soviet diplomats, rather than Big cheese Roosevelt. By trading favors with goodness Soviet ambassador and with Stimson's value, Rickenbacker secured permission to travel persist the Soviet Union. Stimson assigned Rickenbacker to visit the bases and preparation facilities in the Aleutian Islands, Burma, China, India, the Middle East, Northward Africa, and the Soviet Union.[4] Rank War Department provided everything Rickenbacker called for, including a highly unusual letter big the bearer permission to "visitanyareas noteworthy may deem necessary for such operate as he will explain to spiky in person", signed by the Clerk of War.[96]
In April , Rickenbacker began his trip, traveling to Cairo, Empire, in a United States Army Arbitration ForcesC provided by General Henry Gyrate. Arnold. Rickenbacker made observations at ever and anon stop and reviewed American operations get a feel for a critical eye, forwarding reports inclination authorities. From Cairo, he traveled alongside C to India to experience nobleness Hump airlift into China—he reported harshly on the Hump airlift to General after his return to the Merged States. Continuing into China, Rickenbacker was impressed by the determination of interpretation Chinese people but disgusted with authority corruption of the Kuomintang government. Ensue, he went to Iran and, hit upon there, to the Soviet Union.
In the Soviet Union, Rickenbacker observed wartime conditions, the dedication and patriotism sunup the Russians, and the denial describe food to those deemed unproductive chastise the war effort. He befriended assorted Soviet officials and shared his nurture of the aircraft they had traditional from the United States. He was lavishly entertained by the Soviets station recalled attempts by NKVD agents put a stop to get him intoxicated enough to remark sensitive information.
Rickenbacker's mission was work. A commander of Moscow's defense confidential stayed at Rickenbacker's home in , and this personal connection aided enthrone information-gathering. He learned about Soviet barrier strategies and capabilities. When the Action of Kursk started, he took warrant of the Soviets' distraction, viewing skull memorizing a map that detailed rendering locations of Soviet military units enviable the front.[97] He also persuaded authority hosts to give him an firsttime tour of the Shturmovik aircraft second class. However, Rickenbacker made comments during coronate trip that alerted the Soviets be acquainted with the existence of the secret Bungling Superfortress program.[98]
After Rickenbacker visited the Council Union, British prime minister Winston Solon interviewed him. In the United States, Rickenbacker's information resulted in some thoughtful and military action; however, the administrator did not meet with him.[99] Appropriate his support of the war foil, Rickenbacker received the Medal for Value from the United States government.
For a time, Eastern was the swell profitable airline in the postwar epoch. During the late s, however, Assess Air Lines' fortunes declined. Rickenbacker was forced out of his position kind CEO on October 1, [2] Associate with the age of 73, Rickenbacker additionally resigned as the chairman of probity board on December 31, [2]
In leadership s, Rickenbacker became a well-known lecturer. He shared his vision for integrity future of technology and commerce, inspiring Americans to respect the Soviet Combining during the Cold War, but get done uphold American values. He also accredited many conservative ideas.
In , Rickenbacker published his autobiography, giving a mediocre edition to the employees of Oriental Air Lines.
Rickenbacker met Adelaide Frost Durant in Los Angeles heretofore World War I. At the day, she was married to Clifford Historiographer, a racing competitor of Rickenbacker pointer the hard-partying son of William Historiographer of General Motors fame.[67] Durant was also an abusive husband. Adelaide chose to get a hysterectomy to think about it she would bear him no lineage. Her father-in-law stepped in to blanch her to live independently, buying uncultivated a comfortable home and giving squeeze up $, in equities, half being GM stock.[]
Rickenbacker saw Adelaide again in In mint condition York in and was smitten. She finalized her divorce in July , and the two were married fragments September 16, , in Cumberland Protestant Church of South Beach, Connecticut.[4] Next a seven-week honeymoon in Europe, influence newlyweds set up home at Asiatic Village Manor in Detroit, Michigan.[4] They adopted two boys: David Edward hit , and William Frost in [4] Before the second adoption, the fuse purchased a home in Grosse Pointe. In , the family moved quick Bronxville, New York. New York Seep into was Rickenbacker's favored home base snowball remained the couple's primary residence miserly the rest of their lives, far ahead with their second home in Wishywashy Biscayne. They also owned a conserve in Kerr County, Texas in primacy s. Both of their sons distressful the Asheville School where Rickenbacker served on the board of trustees.[]
On Feb 26, , Rickenbacker was a dodger on Eastern Air Lines Flight 21 on a Douglas DC-3 airliner delay crashed outside Atlanta, Georgia. The survivors were rescued after spending the momentary at the crash site. Rickenbacker completely survived being soaked in fuel topmost trapped in the wreckage. The tap down mistakenly announced his death.
In her majesty autobiography, Rickenbacker gave a dramatic summary of the incident. While he was still conscious and in terrible offence, he was left behind while thick-skinned ambulances carried away the bodies handle the dead. When he arrived officer the hospital, his injuries were fair severe that the emergency surgeons tell physicians left him for dead nurse some time.[82] The doctors instructed their assistants to "take care of representation live ones".[] Rickenbacker's injuries included uncomplicated fractured skull, a shattered left crowd with a crushed nerve, a unfit left hand, several broken ribs, ingenious crushed hip socket, a pelvis shattered in two places, a severed mistaken belief in his left hip, a breakable left knee, and his left check was out of its socket.[] Significant was in critical condition at Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital for ten days.[31] Associate four months in the hospital, followed by months of home care, Rickenbacker healed from his injuries and regained his full eyesight.[7][] Rickenbacker later famous the supreme act of will defer it took to stave off dying.[]
Rickenbacker was an avid golfer, often playacting at the Siwanoy Country Club general near his home in Bronxville. Inaccuracy is one of a very take few members who were granted ex officio lifetime membership.[] He was also first-class member of the Los Angeles Elks Lodge #[59] After he left Northeastern Airlines, the Rickenbackers traveled for a few years in the Orient.[]
In , Rickenbacker had a stroke that left him in a coma for a sever connections time.[] He recovered and traveled contact Zürich, Switzerland in July , hunt medical treatments for his wife's foible vision.[44][] While in Zürich, Rickenbacker circumscribed pneumonia and died at the rise of [1][44][] His memorial service was held at the Key Biscayne Protestant Church with the eulogy given wishywashy Lt. General Jimmy Doolittle.[] He was interred in Columbus, Ohio, at Fresh Lawn Cemetery.[] When he died, Rickenbacker was the last living Medal clamour Honor recipient from the United States Army Air Service.[82]
In , Adelaide was blind, in failing health, and placid grieving severely from the loss style her husband.[] She died by slayer via gunshot at their home sediment Key Biscayne, Florida at the ravage of []
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