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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 WWII helped form the Military Air Transport Services. In the civilian sector, Rickenbacker worked at several airlines, including Fokker Aircraft Corporation and American Airways, before going to work at Eastern Airlines in 1934. In 1939 Rickenbacker became Eastern's president and chairman, positions he held until 1963.
NASM.XXXX.0525
Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1890-1973
1913-1973
Estate of Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, unknown, 1973, XXXX-0525, unknown
0.05 Cubic feet ((5 microfilm reels))
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of two annual reports, two photograph albums, and a set of microfilm of 26 scrapbooks. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings chronicling Rickenbacker's aviation career. The two photo albums are as follows: 'In Commemoration of the Dedication of the Rickenbacker Foundation,' and 'The Great Silver Fleet,' which features imagery from the 1941 Georgia crash. There are also two annual reports: United Aircraft and Transport Corporation First Annual Report to Stockholders,' 1929 and 'Central Airlines Annual Report, 1965.'
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Aeronautics, Military
Aeronautics
World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations
Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States
Aeronautics, Commercial
Fighter pilots
World War, 1914-1918
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Albums
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Reports