Editing Eddie Rickenbacker (section)

=== 1943 mission to the USSR ===

Still determined to support the war effort, Rickenbacker suggested a fact-finding mission in the [[Soviet Union]] to provide the Soviets with technical assistance with their American aircraft. To get approval for this trip, Rickenbacker approached Soviet diplomats, rather than President Roosevelt. By trading favors with the Soviet ambassador and with Stimson's help, Rickenbacker secured permission to travel to the Soviet Union. Stimson assigned Rickenbacker to visit the bases and production facilities in the Aleutian Islands, Burma, China, India, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Soviet Union.<ref name=":17"/> The [[United States Department of War|War Department]] provided everything Rickenbacker needed, including a highly unusual letter giving the bearer permission to "visit...any...areas he may deem necessary for such purposes as he will explain to you in person", signed by the Secretary of War.<ref>Rickenbacker, Edward V. ''Rickenbacker: an Autobiography.'' Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1967. p. 390. {{ISBN|978-0-13-781005-5}}</ref>

In April 1943, Rickenbacker began his trip, traveling to Cairo, Egypt, in a [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[Douglas C-54 Skymaster|C-54]] provided by General [[Henry H. Arnold]]. Rickenbacker made observations at every stop and reviewed American operations with a critical eye, forwarding reports to authorities. From Cairo, he traveled by [[Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express|C-87]] to India to experience the [[The Hump|Hump airlift]] into China—he reported unfavorably on the Hump airlift to Arnold after his return to the United States. Continuing into China, Rickenbacker was impressed by the determination of the Chinese people but disgusted with the corruption of the [[Kuomintang]] government. Next, he went to [[Iran]] and, from there, to the Soviet Union.

In the Soviet Union, Rickenbacker observed wartime conditions, the dedication and patriotism of the Russians, and the denial of food to those deemed unproductive to the war effort. He befriended many Soviet officials and shared his knowledge of the aircraft they had received from the United States. He was lavishly entertained by the Soviets and recalled attempts by [[NKVD]] agents to get him intoxicated enough to disclose sensitive information.

Rickenbacker's mission was successful. A commander of [[Moscow]]'s defense had stayed at Rickenbacker's home in 1937, and this personal connection aided his information-gathering. He learned about Soviet defense strategies and capabilities. When the [[Battle of Kursk]] started, he took advantage of the Soviets' distraction, viewing and memorizing a map that detailed the locations of Soviet military units at the front.<ref>Rickenbacker, Edward V. ''Rickenbacker: an Autobiography.'' Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1967. p. 376. {{ISBN|978-0-13-781005-5}}</ref> He also persuaded his hosts to give him an unprecedented tour of the [[Ilyushin Il-2|Shturmovik]] aircraft factory. However, Rickenbacker made comments during his trip that alerted the Soviets to the existence of the secret [[B-29 Superfortress]] program.<ref name="ccb">{{cite journal |last=Boyne |first=Walter J. |year=2009 |title=Carbon Copy Bomber |url=http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Documents/2009/June%202009/0609bomber.pdf |journal=Air Force Magazine |volume=92 |issue=June |page=53 |access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref>

After Rickenbacker visited the Soviet Union, British prime minister [[Winston Churchill]] interviewed him. In the United States, Rickenbacker's information resulted in some diplomatic and military action; however, the president did not meet with him.<ref>Rickenbacker, Edward V. ''Rickenbacker: an Autobiography.'' Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1967. p. 438. {{ISBN|978-0-13-781005-5}}</ref> For his support of the war effort, Rickenbacker received the [[Medal for Merit]] from the United States government.