Rickenbacker’s War
Historical Scenarios for AH’s Aerial War Game
By Rex A. Martin
from The General, 19, #3, pp 22-25
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Billy, France, September 22, 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, the then Lieutenant 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 in also.
With these words, on 6 November 1930, President Herbert Hoover presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to Captain Edward Rickenbacker at Bolling Field, Washington D.C. Thus was America's finest fighting ace finally rewarded for his contribution to the Allied victory in World War I. During a brief seven months at the front in 1918, Rickenbacker was credited with twenty-six confirmed "kills; of this seven months, two were spent in a French hospital following a mastoid operation. As one British historian pointed out, Rickenbacker's score is a remarkable record for the limited time he spent in action--one never equalled by any other aviator in either the First or Second World Wars.
By the time Rickenbacker came to the air war, the days of the "lone wolf" were numbered. Rickenbacker, in command of the famed 94th "Hat-in-the-Ring" Pursuit Squadron, proved himself as able an administrator as aviator. And, with Billy Mitchell, was a proponent of the strategic uses of aircraft. Not given to solo flights, Rickenbacker was a thoughtful and observant leader of the massed flights that finally defeated the Imperial Air Service flights over the trenches. His formation was credited with the greatest number of victories scored by any American squadron--69. It was the first American unit to carry the air war over the enemy lines, and totaled more hours of flying time over enemy territory than any other in the United States Air Service.
A recognized hero in the fledgling sport of motor racing, Rickenbacker came to aviation by way of Pershing's motor pool. In January 1918, he was commissioned upon graduation from Issoudun, the first U.S. pilot training center set up in France. Early in March 1918, the slim man from Columbus Ohio was posted to the nucleus of the 94th Pursuit Squadron--then based at Villeneuve. When Rickenbacker joined the newly-formed squadron, it had lots of pilots--but no airplanes. In fact, another month would pass before a few secondhand French Nieuports could be obtained. But once sufficient aircraft were on hand, the American command felt justified in moving "Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron into the Toul sector. There the Americans, and Rickenbacker, threw themselves into the grim and exhilarating business of war among the clouds.
Rickenbacker shot down his first enemy plane on 25 April 1918. It was about as exciting as a public execution--and as professional. By 1 June, he was a recognized ace. He flew a plain grey Nieuport (later a Spad) bearing only the 94th's symbol; there were no bright colors or personal insignia in his squadron. There was no flamboyance to the man. Many said there was little personality. He was not a popular commander, but he forged the concept of fighting as a unit. As a result, the 94th was the best of America's fighter squadrons.
A young 94th pilot named Meissner once flew home with his top wing gone. Just as a Fokker had shot his Spad's wing wires away, Rickenbacker drove him off. More noteworthy, Rickenbacker did not go after the damaged German to increase his personal score, but instead escorted his man to friendly lines. He insisted his men do the same. He admired the German use of the parachute and disdained the scoring rivalries of the earlier aces. Richenbacker's boys were not colorful, but they were the first modern fighter pilots. From moment "Captain Eddie" took it over, the “Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron was run as a business. For that was what the "art" Roland Garros had started three long years before had now become. Not a blood sport for young gentlemen--but a hard, tough profession for hard, tough professionals. The days of the Richthofens were over; the days of Rickenbackers had dawned.
Updated 14 Jan 08.
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