Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War I - U.S. Army Air Service
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
Details
- Rank: First Lieutenant (Highest Rank: Captain)
- Conflict/Era: World War I
- Unit/Command:
94th Aero Squadron,
Air Service - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army Air Service
- Medal of Honor Action Date: September 25, 1918
- Medal of Honor Action Place: near Billy, France
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, 1st Lt. Rickenbacker attacked seven enemy planes (five type Fokker, protecting two type Halberstadt). Disregarding the odds against him, he dived on them and shot down one of the Fokkers out of control. He then attacked one of the Halberstadts and sent it down also.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: November 6, 1930
Bolling Field near Washington, D.C., presented by Pres. Herbert Hoover - Born: October 8, 1890, Columbus, Franklin County, OH, United States
- Died: July 23, 1973, Zurich, Switzerland
- Buried: Greenlawn Cemetery (PM) (58-31), Columbus, OH, United States
- Location of Medal: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC ; National Museum of the US Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH ; San Diego Areospace Museum, San Diego, CA
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