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World War I
Edward V. Rickenbacker
First Lieutenant · U.S. Army Air Forces
U.S. Army Air Corps, 94th Aero Squadron, Air Service
25 September 1918 · Billy, France
- Branch
- U.S. Army Air Forces
- Era
- World War I
- Home state
- Ohio
- Action
- Billy, France
The citation
Official citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, 1st Lt. Rickenbacker attacked 7 enemy planes (5 type Fokker, protecting two type Halberstadt). Disregarding the odds against him, he dived on them and shot down one of the Fokkers out of control. He then attacked one of the Halberstadts and sent it down also.