Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Edward Rickenbacher, October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was an American fighter pilot in World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient. With 26 aerial victories, he was the most successful and most decorated United States flying ace of the war. He was also a racing driver, an automotive designer, and a long-time head of Eastern Air Lines.

This is an outstanding piece, a YMCA-issued pamphlet “Some of the Things You Ought to Know About Soldier Life” issued at The National War Work Council of the YMCA at 347 Madison Avenue, New York City. The pamphlet measures 5 ½ x 8” when closed and is signed right under the YMCA logo on the cover:

Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker

Rickenbacker returned home as a war hero. At the Waldorf-Astoria (Fifth Avenue, Manhattan), 600 people, including Secretary of War Newton Baker and his mother, shuttled in from Columbus. They "cheered him and toasted him and shouted and sang to him". 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...."

This was almost certainly signed by Eddie during this homecoming tour. The pamphlet is a single piece of paper folded. This piece would look outstanding professionally framed with a photo of Rickenbacker!

Rickenbacker lived until 1973, and certainly signed many things throughout his life, but this is a very rare offering, something he certainly signed upon his return home in 1919. Ready for display!