Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American pilot, industrialist, airline executive, and the most eminent ‘Fighter Ace’ of World War I. He was also an automobile race driver. He scored the highest number (26) of American aerial conquests in WWI, winning the title of ‘Ace of Aces.’ According to him, he survived 135 near-death experiences. Born and raised in Ohio, he had an impoverished childhood and left his education at 13 to support his family. Interested in machines and automobiles, he learnt through correspondence course, and progressed from mechanic’s work to management jobs. He got a name for himself as a racing car driver. During WWI, he trained as a pilot and became the most successful American fighter pilot, with most number of medals and decorations. Post war, he became chief executive of ‘Eastern Airlines’ and made it one of the most profitable airlines of the country. In WWII, he served his country by information-collecting work, during one of which he survived a plane crash and 24 days at sea. He retired in 1963, and later gave speeches about aviation. He was married to Adelaide Frost Durant. He died of pneumonia in 1973, at the age of 82.