Edward V. Rickenbacker
Edward V. Rickenbacker was the nation’s greatest flying ace during World War I. He earned the Medal of Honor for attacking a formation of five German planes and managed to take down two of them.
American ace of the 94th Aero Squadron, First Lieut. Edward [Eddie] V. Rickenbacker, stands up in his Spad plane near Rembercourt, France, during World War I. | Location: near Rembercourt, France. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Rank: First lieutenant
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWI
Medal(s): Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross