The son of Swiss immigrants, Rickenbacker was the American "Ace of Aces."

A top racing driver and team leader before joining the American Expeditionary Force in 1917, Edward "Eddie" Vernon Rickenbacker soon found himself at home in the new Aero Pursuit (94th) Squadron.

Within a few months his daring and agression had won him command.
Famed for his leadership and his 26 personal victories he earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and on 6th November 1930 he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
 
 
 

After the war he launched the Rickenbacker Motor Company, with the squadron's Hat in the Ring motif as its emblem.
Between WWI and WWII, Rickenbacker bought and administered the Indianapolis Speedway and became president of Eastern Airlines.
In October 1942, he was aboard a B-17 bomber that crashed in the Pacific Ocean while on a secret mission to New Guinea. "Iron Man Eddie" and six companions survived 24 days afloat on life rafts.