Eddie Rickenbacker

8/10/1890 - 27/7/1973

Record updated 27-Jul-20

Eddie Rickenbacker, was a successful racing driver, fighter pilot, airline executive, wartime adviser, and elder statesman.

He was born Edward Rickenbacher in Columbus, Ohio to Swiss immigrants. The American Ace of Aces, Eddie Rickenbacker, was a successful race car driver, fighter pilot, airline executive, wartime adviser, and elder statesman.

Few aces achieved so much in so many different lifetime roles. His twenty-six aerial victories came in only two months of combat flying, a spectacular achievement.

From his job road-testing cars for Frayer-Miller, he made his way into automobile racing, racing for Fred Deusenberg, among others. He raced three times in the Indianapolis 500 and set a speed record of 134 MPH in a Blitzen Benz.

He became one of the most successful race car drivers, earning $40,000 per year (an incredible sum at that time).