ARLINGTON, TX – Medal of Honor Recipient and Columbus native Edward “Eddie” Rickenbacker is honored at the National Medal of Honor Museum (NMOHM) in Arlington, Texas, with a brand-new gallery that traces the full arc of his life, from his days as a successful racecar driver to the heroic action that earned him the nation’s highest military award for valor. 

On view since Mid-March, Edward Rickenbacker: A Life at Full Throttle is part of a broader effort to present the life stories of Medal of Honor Recipients. Through personal artifacts, images, and storytelling, each exhibit highlights the values and choices that shaped these extraordinary Americans across their lifetimes. Rickenbacker’s exhibit is centered around the 1914 Duesenberg that he drove during his first Indianapolis 500 in 1914, showing how some of the greatest stories in racing – and in American history – don’t end at the finish line. The car will be on loan and on display at the special exhibit for a limited amount of time. 

“We are thrilled to showcase Eddie Rickenbacker’s story at the National Medal of Honor Museum,” said Cory Crowley, NMOHMF Executive Vice President. “Featured artifacts in the Museum, including Maj. Rickenbacker’s iconic race car, are powerful reminders that Medal of Honor Recipients’ contributions to our country and society extend far beyond the battlefield. They help tell their full life stories, providing visitors with deeper understanding of and connection to these extraordinary Americans. They are essential to preserving the history and legacy of the Medal and those who have earned it.” 

Eddie Rickenbacker was born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 8, 1890. One of eight children, he was only 13 years old when his father passed away, forcing him to leave school to help support his mother and siblings. He found steady work and a new passion in machine shops and garages, leading him to become a mechanic and a racecar driver. By the early 1900s, Rickenbacker was racing professionally, competing in 42 major races and winning seven of them. 

As the United States entered World War I in May 1917, Rickenbacker was recruited into the U.S. Army for his driving expertise, serving as a chauffeur for senior officers of the Army Air Service. Although he was too old and undereducated by official standards, he pushed his way into flight training and, within a year, became one of the service’s top pilots. By 1918, then-First Lieutenant Rickenbacker was chosen over several captains to serve as commander of the 94th Aero Squadron. On September 25, 1918, Rickenbacker volunteered to patrol over enemy lines in Billy, France. He attacked seven enemy aircraft and, despite the odds against him, shot down two. His heroic actions that day would later lead to President Herbert Hoover awarding him the Medal of Honor in 1930. With 26 aerial victories, Rickenbacker was America’s leading WWI ace. 

Rickenbacker retired from military service in 1919 as a U.S. Army major but continued to serve the country as a civilian, including supporting the Allies’ war efforts during World War II. 

Museum visitors can view Rickenbacker’s exhibit and other installations telling the stories of his and his fellow Medal of Honor Recipients at the National Medal of Honor Museum, where the lives of ordinary Americans who demonstrated extraordinary courage in service to others are brought to life. A visit to the Museum is a meaningful, immersive experience that leaves visitors from all walks of life inspired, proud, and deeply connected to the values that unite us.  

For more details and to reserve tickets for your preferred date and time, visit mohmuseum.org. 

For more photos and a cam capture video of the Edward Rickenbacker: A Life at Full Throttle exhibit, click the links below: 

• Photos 
• Video 

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About the National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute   

The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute is inspiring individuals by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat.   

The Museum, which opened on March 25, 2025, and was voted as the Best New Museum in America, serves as a national landmark located in America’s heartland in Arlington, Texas, and provides an unrivaled, interactive visitor experience that commemorates the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism, and courage that connects members of the United States military service past and present. It is the Museum’s mission to tell the stories of Medal of Honor recipients in a dynamic and interactive setting that will inspire visitors to recognize the potential for the extraordinary that resides in us all.    

Through dynamic and far-reaching curriculum and programming, the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute is bringing to life the core values inherent to the Medal of Honor in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the country.   

In 2021, The National Medal of Honor Monument Act was signed into law, paving the way for the monument’s placement in Washington, D.C. Soon, Americans and visitors of every nation will have the opportunity to reflect on the values represented by those whose selfless and courageous actions have served to safeguard freedom and democracy the world over.   

For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.