Evening star., 1937-08-01

and brown hair parted on the left side
AS TO salary-the airmail act es-
taohshes a maximum of sl7,5oO an
nuallv.
Ihe most renowned of Americas
major airline executives is Eddie
RlcKenba cker. He is also the oldest
As. Just about every one knows
that Rickenbacker was the Nations
premier World War ace. although
they may not know that he is general
manager of Eastern Air Lines. which
operates more planes through Wash
lngton than any other air transport
company
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was
born IN Columbus. Ohio, in 1890, four
days before the anniversary of the
date on which the discoverer for
Whom the city was named sighted
land. 1t didn't take Rickenbacker
long to discover that he was mechanic
ally-minded Correspondence school
courses taught him enough engineer
ing and drafting to get him a lob
With motor car company.
Motors and blueprints were en-
crossing, but they lacked thrills.
Nineteen-year-old Eddie" turned to
automobile racing and for seven years
was race driver for various car
manufacturers. II was a short lump
from a crash bonnet to an aviator's
helmet, and both fitted Rickenbacker
we'll. While he was getting up a
racing team for an English motor
car concern war was declared bv the
United States and he enlisted as an
Army sergeant.
On arrival in France. Rickenbacker
was assigned as one of Gen. Pershincs
staff drivers, but soon was transferred
to the Air Corps. Good flyers rose
high and fast in those DAYS and
Rickenbacker'S nerve and KNOWLEDGE
of engines soon got him a lieutenancv
and an appointment as chief engineer
ing officer. In September. 1918. he
became commander of the gath Aero
Squadron with the rank of captain.
His exploits with the 94th-he sent
down 25 enemy planes-won him the
Croix de Guerre with four palms. the
Legion of Honor Medal. the Distin-
guished Service Cross with nine oak
leaves and the Congressional Medal Of
Honor.
Back from the war, Rickenbacker
resumed his connection with the auto
mobile industry His fame attracted
financial backing and he became an
executive of a motor car company
bearing his name and producing car
which displayed the insignia of his
World War flying squadron,
With the growth of the aviation
industry, Rickenbacker's thoughts
turned from automobiles to planes.
In 1882 he joined Aviation Corp as
vice president of American AirWays
and a year later went over to North
American Aviation. Inc. as vice presi-
dent, which position he still holds, in
addition to being manager of Eastern
Air.
Rickenbacker still loves automobile
racing. He is president Of the In
dianapolis Motor Speedway Corp,
day 500-mile race. He is also chair
man Of the American Automobile
Associations Contest Board.
In February. 1884, just prior to
cancellation Of airmail contracts,
Rickenbacker, with Jack Frye OF
T. " A., flew a Douglas airliner
across the continent in l3 hours
minutes. breaking the transcontinental
commercial record Nine months later
he broke that record with a trans
continental fight Of IL hours 3
minutes so seconds.
Eddie" Rickenbacker, unlike so
many technically-traine persons, has
the faculty of being able to put his
experiences into words and ideas. He
has lively imagination. He is the
author OF book, Fighting the Flying
Circus" and Of two comic strips.
This versatile airline executive and
war hero is 6 feet Ia inches tall and
weighs ITO pounds. His brown hair
is graying at the temples. He and
Mrs. Rickenbacker have two boys,
ages and r.
Eddie" writes Of himself, Have
no particular hobbies but enjoy
game Of golf" Like President Rooee-
welt, he smokes cigarettes.