Eddie Rickenbacker
Mechanic. Race Car Driver. Flying Ace. Industrial Leader.
Columbus Roots & Mechanical Beginnings
Born in Columbus, Ohio in 1890, Edward Vernon Rickenbacker left school at a young age to help support his family. He trained as a machinist and mechanic, developing technical skills in an era when engines, gears, and innovation were transforming American industry.
Growing up near the Driving Park area — once home to horse racing tracks and early automotive experimentation — Rickenbacker was immersed in a culture of speed, mechanics, and competition.
Professional Auto Racing (1909–1916)
From 1909 to 1916, Rickenbacker became one of America’s leading race car drivers. He competed in multiple Indianapolis 500 races between 1911 and 1916, earning national recognition for his precision and mechanical discipline.
His racing career established him as a public figure even before his aviation fame.
World War I Flying Ace (1917–1918)
When the United States entered World War I, Rickenbacker joined the Army Air Service and quickly rose to prominence as America’s leading flying ace, credited with 26 confirmed aerial victories.
For extraordinary heroism in combat, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
“Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.”
— Eddie Rickenbacker
National Recognition & Return Home (1919–Early 1920s)
Returning home after the war, Rickenbacker was celebrated as a national hero. His name became synonymous with bravery, discipline, and American aviation.
Rickenbacker Motor Company (1922–1927)
In 1922, Rickenbacker founded the Rickenbacker Motor Company, manufacturing automobiles during the early expansion of the American auto industry. Though the company eventually closed, it reflected his entrepreneurial drive and industrial ambition.
Commercial Aviation & Eastern Air Lines
In the decades that followed, Rickenbacker became a central figure in commercial aviation through his leadership at Eastern Air Lines. He helped expand routes, modernize fleets, and shape the infrastructure of American air travel.
World War II Survival (1942)
In 1942, Rickenbacker survived a 24-day ordeal adrift in the Pacific Ocean after a military aircraft crash. The experience, later chronicled in Seven Came Through, further solidified his reputation for endurance and leadership under extreme conditions.
“In adversity, character is revealed.”
— Eddie Rickenbacker, Seven Came Through (1943)
Historical Context & Stewardship
Eddie Rickenbacker’s achievements in racing, military aviation, and commercial enterprise remain nationally significant and are deeply connected to Columbus’ history.
We acknowledge that historical figures were shaped by the social realities of their time. Like many leaders of the early–mid 20th century, aspects of Rickenbacker’s worldview reflected racial and social assumptions that do not align with the values of equity and inclusion we uphold today.
Rickenbacker Woods Foundation does not erase history, nor do we romanticize it. We steward it responsibly. Our commitment is to expand access to innovation, education, and opportunity for communities historically excluded from them.
History is strongest when it is complete — and when it inspires progress.
