American World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker was born on October 8, 1890, in Columbus, Ohio. He became the United States’ leading fighter ace of the war, officially credited with 26 aerial victories for his skill and aggressiveness in the skies over Europe.
Before entering military service, Rickenbacker was already one of the nation’s best-known race-car drivers. Years on the track gave him a practical command of speed and mechanics, an appetite for calculated risk, and the ability to perform under intense pressure—qualities that transferred naturally to the cockpit. He competed in four Indianapolis 500s between 1912 and 1916 and accumulated seven career race victories.
A 1918 public-domain photograph captures Rickenbacker as a young aviator at the height of World War I. His remarkable career did not end with combat. He later became a major figure in commercial aviation and led the group that owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1927 until 1945.
