Rickenbacker desired to join the war even before the United States officially entered. When his time came in 1917, Rickenbacker eagerly enlisted and was assigned as an engineering officer at the US Air Service training facility. Because of his lack of education as well as his useful mechanical capabilities, it was not logical to designate Eddie a pilot. Eventually he was given the opportunity after presenting the military with a replacement for his position.
Eddie Rickenbacker was able to secure 26 individual aerial victories throughout the war, the most of any World War I ace from America.
3 comments:
I like how you included his early life and how that affected his achievements. How was he able to secure 26 individual aerial victories if he didn't have any experience?
It's interesting how the people who went to war were anybody. It could range from dads to Olympic athletes. It's sad to think about Olympic athletes with amazing opportunities in front of them but having to go to the war and getting killed, ruining their career.
It is really intersting to consider how one's background, the way one earns a living, plays into the skilla that go into fighting in the war. In this case, Richenbacker's interest in machinery scored him an engineering position in the war.
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