Rickenbacker, Eddie (1890-1973), American aviator and businessman, who was the leading American fighter pilot in World War I. He was born Edward Rickenbacher in Columbus, Ohio—he changed the spelling of his name during World War I in response to anti-German sentiment. Before joining the United States Army in 1917, he was an internationally famous racing car driver who had won many championships and set up a new world speed record.

During World War I Rickenbacker served in the US Air Service in France as commanding officer of the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron. He shot down 22 enemy planes and four observation balloons. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the Congressional Medal of Honor, and other decorations.

After his military career, Rickenbacker was associated with several motor-car and aviation companies. He became president of Eastern Air Lines in 1938 and served as the company's chairman of the board from 1954 to 1963. Secretary of War Henry Stimson assigned Rickenbacker to the inspection of air force bases in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. On this mission Rickenbacker's plane was shot down, and he and other survivors spent about three weeks in lifeboats before being rescued. He wrote about this ordeal in Seven Came Through (1943). Rickenbacker also wrote Fighting the Flying Circus (1919) and Rickenbacker: An Autobiography (1967).