Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker Homecoming Program

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a souvenir program for a celebration and reception held from June 21--23, 1919 in Los Angeles, California in honor of Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker's homecoming after two years of overseas service in World War I. The event included a parade, barbecue, and formal program at Shrine Auditorium. The program is signed by Rickenbacker with the inscription "To My Little Friend." The program is also signed by film actor Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. The program is in a folder which has a small black and white photograph of pilot Parker Wagner seated in an aircraft cockpit adhered to it.

Arrangement

Collection is in original order.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890--1973) had only a sixth grade education but became a leading aviation figure in both military and civilian circles. Rickenbacker was a fighter ace during World War I, where as a member of the 94th Aero Squadron he shot down 22 German aircraft and 4 observation balloons. He became a colonel in the Army Air Reserves and during World War II helped form the Military Air Transport Services. In October of 1942, during an inspection tour of the Pacific theater, Rickenbacker's Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress went off course and was ditched over water. The surviving seven members of the crew were rescued 24 days later, suffering from exposure, starvation, and dehydration. In the civilian sector, Rickenbacker worked at several airlines, including Fokker Aircraft Corporation and American Airways, before going to work at Eastern Air Lines in 1934. In 1939 Rickenbacker became Eastern's president and chairman, positions he held until 1963.