Born Columbus, Ohio, 8 October 1890. Entered service
May 1917 as Sergeant, U.S. Army, assigned as General
Pershing's chauffeur. Requested and received flight
training in France. Lieutenant Rickenbacker of the
famed 94th Aero Squadron scored his first victory April
29, 1918. Promoted to Captain and command of the
squadron, he scored 26 victories and became the American
"Ace of Aces".
Joined the budding airline industry in 1932, playing a
major role in its development, serving its cause for
three decades as Chief Executive of Eastern Airlines.
Died 23 July 1973.
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