American Military Community

[Uncle Sam]

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT


Captain Eddie V. Rickenbacker, U.S. Air Force



Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon,
1890-1973, American war hero and airline executive, b. Columbus, Ohio. He became a car racing driver at 16 and set numerous speed records. In World War I he volunteered for the air service and became the leading U.S. ace by destroying 26 enemy planes. After serving as an executive of several airline companies, he became president and general manager (1938-53) and chairman of the board (1954-63) of Eastern Airlines, which he built into a major passenger and transport system. A political conservative, he often spoke on contemporary American affairs. His book Seven Came Through (1943) recounts his 22 days on a raft in World War II after running out of fuel while on an observation tour. He also wrote Fighting the Flying Circus (1919).

Eddie Rickenbacker of Columbus, Ohio first gained fame as a race car driver prior to America's entry into WWI. As the U.S. prepared to send its first troops overseas, Rickenbacker was offered the position of chauffeur to General Pershing. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and after arriving in France, he was transferred to the U.S. Air Service and sent to Tours to learn to fly. He was then made Engineering Officer at the U.S. flying school at Issoudun because of his unusual knowledge of gasoline engines.

When the first group of newly-trained U.S. pilots got ready to leave for the Front, Rickenbacker requested to go with them. His request was approved by Major Carl Spaatz and Rickenbacker was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron.

Almost immediately he demonstrated his exceptional combat ability and by the end of the war, he was our nation's leading ace with 26 confirmed victories, despite the fact that through most of June, July, and August 1918, he had not been permitted to fly combat missions because of severe ear infections. Also, he was personally chosen by Gen. Billy Mitchell to assume command of the 94th Aero Sq. the day before the Meuse-Argonne offensive began.

On Nov. 6, 1930, President Herbert Hoover awarded the coveted Medal of Honor to Rickenbacker for his

conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty

in attacking seven enemy airplanes while on Sep. 25, 1918, shooting down two. Capt. Rickenbacker passed away Jul. 23, 1973.
See his autobiography (1967) and his From Father to Son, ed. by W. F. Rickenbacker (1970).


More information on this Hero:
http://www.medalofhonor.com/EddieRickenbacker.htm
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Prayer for the Troops in Iraq
Dear Lord, please hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them, Father, as they protect us. When they are tired, give them strength and rest. If they are wounded, Father, give them comfort. When they are lonely, may they feel You near them. Grant them strength, courage, and wisdom for their tasks. And, Lord, uplift and strengthen the families and loved ones who wait for their return. Please, Father, bring a quick end to all this conflict. I pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.
"Obstacles are just a sign that you are moving forward"~ Me

[Uncle Sam]

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT


Major Richard Ira Bong, U.S. Army Air Corps




Richard Ira Bong, America's "Ace of Aces" in World War II was born Sept. 1920, the son of a Swedish immigrant in Superior, Wis.


BONG, RICHARD 1. (Air Mission)

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps.
Place and date: Over Borneo and Leyte, 10 October to 15 November 1944.
Entered service at: Poplar, Wis.
Birth: Poplar, Wis. G.O. No.: 90, 8 December 1944.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the Southwest Pacific area from 10 October to 15 November 1944. Though assigned to duty as gunnery instructor and neither required nor expected to perform combat duty, Maj. Bong voluntarily and at his own urgent request engaged in repeated combat missions, including unusually hazardous sorties over Balikpapan, Borneo, and in the Leyte area of the Philippines. His aggressiveness and daring resulted in his shooting down 8 enemy airplanes during this period.


More information about this Hero:
http://www.medalofhonor.com/RichardBong.htm
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Prayer for the Troops in Iraq
Dear Lord, please hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them, Father, as they protect us. When they are tired, give them strength and rest. If they are wounded, Father, give them comfort. When they are lonely, may they feel You near them. Grant them strength, courage, and wisdom for their tasks. And, Lord, uplift and strengthen the families and loved ones who wait for their return. Please, Father, bring a quick end to all this conflict. I pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.
"Obstacles are just a sign that you are moving forward"~ Me