Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker Letter

Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker (1890--1973) 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 collection consists of a letter from Rickenbacker to James Quackenbush regarding future opportunities in the field of aviation.

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890--1973) had only a sixth grade education but became a leading aviation figure in both military and civilian circles. Rickenbacker was a fighter ace during World War I, where as a member of the 94th Aero Squadron he shot down 22 German aircraft and 4 observation balloons. He became a colonel in the Army Air Reserves and during World War II helped form the Military Air Transport Services. In October of 1942, during an inspection tour of the Pacific theater, Rickenbacker's Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress went off course and was ditched over water. The surviving seven members of the crew were rescued 24 days later, suffering from exposure, starvation, and dehydration. In the civilian sector, Rickenbacker worked at several airlines, including Fokker Aircraft Corporation and American Airways, before going to work at Eastern Air Lines in 1934. In 1939 Rickenbacker became Eastern's president and chairman, positions he held until 1963.