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Captain Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker was a self-taught automotive engineer, an American fighter ace in World War I, and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver, a government military consultant during World War II, and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines. This accession consists of two letters from Rickenbacker to C. G. [Chris] Sinsabaugh, then editor of Automotive News, written during Rickenbacker's service in World War I.
NASM.1988.0003
Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1890-1973
1917 and undated, circa 1918
Eleanor Whalen, Gift, 1987, NASM.1988.0003
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This accession consists of two letters from Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker to C. G. [Chris] Sinsabaugh, then editor of Automotive News. In the first letter, dated November 10, 1917, Rickenbacker tells his friend "Sincy" of his life as a new soldier, of his interest in aviation, and of becoming a pilot. The envelope is included with this letter. The second letter, undated, is written on a German post card form that Rickenbacker notes he picked up on the battle field at Marne. In this correspondence, Rickenbacker comments on his hospital confinement and on those race car drivers who have not enlisted.
Collection is in chronological order.
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Edward "Eddie" Rickenbacker Letters, NASM.1988.0003, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics
Air pilots
World War, 1914-1918
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence