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Edward Vernon Rickenbaker

"Captain Eddie," a bystander once observed, "was born with silver wings on his heels."

The motor car champion was introduced to aviation by one of the grandest dandies in aeronautica: Glenn L. Martin, a man whose interests and energies were akin to Edward Rickenbacker's at the time of their chance, but historic meeting in California, late in 1916.

Martin, hard at work on military contracts for the building of training and bomber craft, was himself an expert auto mechanic and amateur racer. So when "Big Teuton" Rickenbacker—as some sportswriters of the day called him—happened to be looking over a new bomber parked near a roadside hangar, he was instantly recognized. Th barnstormer-engineer offered his visitor a ride. History hasn't been the same since.

On the 29th of April, 1918, Lt. Rickenbacker shot down the first of 26 enemy aircraft. His World War I efforts were honored with the Congressional Medal and the Croix de Guerre.

In the summer of 1934 he joined the action at Eastern Air Lines, an operating unit of North American Aviation. Four years later the action continued: Eddie bought the air line for $3,500,000.

For several score years he has been an inspiration to the youth of America, and for young people he has always been a true hero. One afternoon he kept his Board waiting to answer the last question visiting Cub Scouts had come to ask.

[[image: small drawing of a propeller]]

Edward V. Rickenbacker: born Columbus, Ohio, October 8, 1890.

[[image No. 118 - drawing of the side view of Rickenbacker's WW I Spad 13]]

[[image No. 119 - black & white photograph of Edward Rickenbacker in uniform]]

[[image No. 120 - black & white photograph of Eddie Rickenbacker with 10 others next to Eastern Airlines DC-2]]

[[caption]] Captain Eddie (119) and his World War I fighter (118), a French-built, Spad 13, with markings of the U.S. Air Service 94th Aero Squadron. At the start of New Orleans-Newark roundtrip, DC-2 service, Rickenbacker (fidgeting with his left-hand glove), stands next to widow of President Wilson. Mrs. Rickenbacker wears corsage. James H. Kindelberger, president of North American Aviation is at far left, pilot Henry T. Merrill, second from right. Plane had engine failure on return trip, making a forced landing in Richmond. [[/caption]]