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Capt. Edward “Eddie” Rickenbacker was the United States’ top scoring ace of World War I. Prior to America’s entry in the war, Rickenbacker was a famed racecar driver. Because of this notoriety, he was offered the position of chauffeur to the commander of the American Army in France, General “Black Jack” Pershing.

Soon after his arrival in France in 1917, Rickenbacker captivated by flying and requested a transfer into the fledgling U.S. Army Air Service. Following flight training in Tours France, Rickenbacker was assigned to the famed 94th “Hat in the Ring” Aero Squadron.

While flying with the 94th Aero Squadron, Rickenbacker scored 26 confirmed victories.

On November 6, 1930, President Herbert Hoover presented the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor, to Rickenbacker for bolding attacking seven enemy airplanes alone and shooting down two of them on September 25, 1918.

Capt. Rickenbacker wore this flying coat while serving in France during World War I.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Flight Clothing Physical Description United States Army Air Service flying coat worn by Capt. Edward Rickenbacker; three-quarter length leather coat with a wide collar and four sets of buttons and button holes for front closure. Dimensions Clothing: 108 x 88.9 x 5.7cm (42 1/2 x 35 x 2 1/4 in.)
 Materials Leather, brass, steel,
 Inventory Number A19530062000 Credit Line Donated by Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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