Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon (1890-1973)

US racing-car driver, aviator, and airline executive. A racing-car driver in his youth, by 1917 he had established a land speed record of 134 mph/216 kph. He was a leading US fighter pilot during World War I and was later awarded the Conressional Medal of Honor for his wartime service. He purchased Eastern Airlines 1938 leaving briefly to serve as an adviser to the War Department during World War II. Taking on special missions, he ditched his plane in the Pacific Ocean, drifting for 23 days before being rescued.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, USA, Rickenbacker became a racing-car driver in his teenage years. At the outbreak of World War I, he joined the army and was chosen for pilot's training in France. As a member of the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron, he gained fame as an air ace, downing 26 German aircraft in four months. Returning to private business after World War I, he founded the Rickenbacker Motor Co. 1921, but dissolved it to purchase Eastern Airlines of which he was president to 1959 and chairman of the board to 1963.