| Eddie Rickenbacker is the most famous US pilot of WWI and a recipient of the Medal of Honour. Following the death of his father in the early 1900s he supported his mother by working in an automobile company. He moved into motor racing and became hugely successful, racing three times in the Indianapolis 500. When the US entered WWI he suggested a flying squadron of racing drivers. His idea was rejected but he was posted to France as an army driver. With his mechanical abilities he soon obtained a position as engineering officer at a flight training school at Issoudun from where he learnt to fly. In March 1918 he was assigned to the newly formed 94th Pursuit Squadron. Initially equipped with rather outdated Nieuports Rickenbacker nevertheless proved his abilities and on May 30th he become an Ace. By August 1918 the squadron was re-equipped with newer, faster Spads and Rickenbacker continued his success. He became commander of the 94th ‘Hat in the Ring’ squadron and went onto amass twenty-six aerial victories, earning him the title of America’s ‘Ace of Aces’. |
