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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army Air Service

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker

First Lieutenant Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, U.S. Army Air Service, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 25, 1918 near Billy, France during World War I.

World War I September 25, 1918

First Lieutenant Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, an airman in the U.S. Army Air Service, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 25, 1918 near Billy, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with 94th Aero Squadron, Air Service. Rickenbacker was 27 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 6, 1930, 12 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.

Rickenbacker was born on October 8, 1890 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Rickenbacker died on July 23, 1973 in Zurich, Switzerland, at the age of 82. He is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. His medal is held by National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC ; National Museum of the US Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH ; San Diego Areospace Museum, San Diego, CA.

Rickenbacker is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 256 credited to Ohio.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, 1st Lt. 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Edward Vernon Rickenbacker received:

Croix de guerre 1914–1918Knight of the Legion of HonourMedal for MeritNational Aviation Hall of Famehonorary doctor of the University of Miami

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Occupations: entrepreneur, businessperson, national hero, fighter pilot, racing automobile driver

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Columbus — map
  • Died: Zurich — map
  • Buried: Green Lawn Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Ohio →

Timeline

  1. October 8, 1890
    Born in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
  2. September 25, 1918
    Act of valor — near Billy, France
    Age 27. 94th Aero Squadron, Air Service
  3. November 6, 1930
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. July 23, 1973
    Died in Zurich, Switzerland
    Age 82.
  5. Resting place
    Greenlawn Cemetery
    Columbus, Ohio

Biography

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Edward Rickenbacher, October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was an American fighter pilot in World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient. With 26 aerial victories, he was the most successful and most decorated United States flying ace of the war. He was also a racing driver, an automotive designer, and a long-time head of Eastern Air Lines.

From the Wikipedia article “Eddie Rickenbacker”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on September 25, 1918

FO Francis Edward Ormsbee Jr. Chief Machinist's Mate · Navy World War I · 1918

More World War I recipients from Ohio

AB Albert E. Baesel Second Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ Patrick McGunigal Shipfitter First Class · Navy World War I · 1917
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.