[June 18, 2015] Growing up as a kid with so many Korean and World War II veterans around me, it was odd that the American hero I admired the most was Captain Eddie Rickenbacker the World War I ace. Rickenbacker was much more, however, than being the most productive fighter during WWI with 26 aerial victories. His deeds also reflected the value of courage that was so prevalent and respected in the 20th century. Today, we honor the hero Eddie Rickenbacker for his accomplishments, leadership, and courage.
“The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of this nation was built are: Initiative, Imagination, Individuality and Independence.” – Captain Eddie Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker was a fighter – courageous and smart as the quote will attest. He could shoot down enemy planes over France in WWI or run a large, risky airline business. Having overcome an unhappy family life mired in poverty and with the early death of his father, Eddie provided for the family from an early age. With an affinity for machines and taking on the mantle of family provider, he managed to get a mechanic job with a car racing team.
Rickenbacker would first become an elite race car driver, then inventor, and then owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and of course CEO of Eastern Air lines. Interestingly, he was one of the authors of “systematic risk management”.1 He had the technical ability to quantify risk and was one key to his courage. This was the kind of courage that really built this country. According to Rebecca D. Costa, “leadership, ethical makeup, and commitment demonstrated by Rickenbacker is sorely missing in contemporary American culture.”2
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker is a real American hero. We salute him for the example he set for other leaders to follow during both war and peace.
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[2] http://www.rebeccacosta.com/blog/eddie-rickenbacker-a-model-for-leadership-then-and-today-257.htm