Editing Eddie Rickenbacker (section)

=== War hero ===

Rickenbacker returned home as a war hero. At the [[Waldorf-Astoria (1893-1929)|Waldorf-Astoria]], 600 people, including Secretary of War [[Newton D. Baker|Newton Baker]] and his mother, shuttled in from [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]. They "cheered him and toasted him and shouted and sang to him".<ref>"Baker and 600 Guests at Dinner to Rickenbacker," ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'', February 4, 1919.</ref> On the streets, he was mobbed by souvenir seekers who tore buttons and ribbons off his uniform. He noted, "The onslaught was pretty heavy, more than I liked, but I took it...."<ref>Life Story, vol. I, p. 222. Eddie Rickenbacker papers, 1915–1972, Ohio State University Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Columbus, Ohio.</ref> Los Angeles gave him a parade in June.

Rickenbacker turned down several endorsement offers and an opportunity to star in a feature film.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last=Wayman |first=Richard |date=2012-06-27 |title=Automotive History: Eddie Rickenbacker – Honestly, What DIDN'T He Do? |url=https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-eddie-rickenbacker-honestly-what-didnt-he-do/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=Curbside Classic |language=en-US}}</ref> He said producer [[Carl Laemmle]] "shoved a hundred-thousand-dollar certified check under my nose".<ref>Life Story, vol. I, p. 232. Eddie Rickenbacker papers, 1915–1972, Ohio State University Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Columbus, Ohio.</ref> Rickenbacker turned down these opportunities because he did not want to cheapen his image.<ref name=":21"/> He signed a book deal worth $25,000, publishing his memoir of the war, ''Fighting the Flying Circus''. Rickenbacker also contracted for a speaking tour for $10,000; still in the Army, Rickenbacker also used this tour to promote [[liberty bond]]s. After the Liberty Bond tour, he was promoted to major, and released from the army in November 1919.<ref name=":19"/> However, Rickenbacker felt the rank of captain was the only one that was "earned and deserved,"<ref name=":19"/> and preferred and was referred to as Captain Eddie or just "the Captain" for the rest of his life.<ref name=":19"/>

Rickenbacker had a name he could capitalize on in any business he chose. He told a reporter, "There is no comparison between the auto and the air. I am through with the automobile and I stand ready to place my skill and talents in flying." Around December 1919, Rickenbacker talked to [[Reed Chambers]] about a joint venture in aircraft manufacturing. However, the performance and safety of airplanes were a concern for the government and the general public. Rickenbacker resorted to his promotional abilities to generate public and governmental enthusiasm, but with limited success. In 1920 and 1921, he made four transcontinental crossings—twice in [[Junkers F 13#Variants|Junkers-Larsen JL-6]]s and twice in [[Airco DH.4|de Havilland DH-4s]]. During these trips, he had seven crack-ups, nine near misses, and eight forced landings in cornfields.<ref>"Rickenbacker Ends Continental Flight". ''The New York Times''. May 29, 1921.</ref><ref>Lewis, W. David. ''Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century,'' Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2005. pp. 246–248, 250–251, 256. {{ISBN|978-0-8018-8244-9}}</ref><ref>"Air Mail Plane Wrecks House".  ''Detroit Free Press''. August 4, 1920.</ref><ref>"All-Metal Plane Back from Pacific". ''The New York Times''. August 23, 1920. p. JL-6</ref><ref>"Ace Escapes Death when Plane Falls". ''Los Angeles Times''. May 24, 1921.</ref><ref>"Rickenbacker Wrecks Plane in Long Flight". ''The New York Times''. May 27, 1921.</ref>

In 1925, Rickenbacker was a defense witness, along with [[Hap Arnold]], [[Tooey Spaatz]], [[Ira Eaker]], and [[Fiorello H. La Guardia]], in the court-martial of General [[Billy Mitchell]].