Eddie Rickenbacker

Edward Vernon (Eddie) Rickenbacker (October 8, 1890-July 27, 1973) was an American fighter pilot who flew in World War I. He was born Edward Rickenbacher in Columbus, Ohio to Swiss immigrants.

Early life

In 1904, Rickenbacker's father, William, was killed at a construction site. Rickenbacker quit school immediately to work to support his family, working mostly industrial jobs. The last of these, working in a Pennsylvania Railroad machine shop, led him to pursue a career in the automobile industry. By 1910, Rickenbacker was racing his employers' cars, placing 10th in the 1914 Indianapolis race in a Duesenberg and in 1917, he went to England, intending to start the 1917 racing season in that country. When he got to England, rather than race, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Related Topics:
1904 - Pennsylvania Railroad - 1910 - Indianapolis race - Duesenberg - 1917 - England - U.S. Army

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