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Eddie Rickenbacker's Raft, an Updated History Guy Episode
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- Known as the leading American air ace and most decorated U.S. soldier of the First World War, Eddie Rickenbacker required a different kind of courage when he and the crew of a B-17 had to ditch in the Pacific Ocean in October 1942. It is a harrowing story of survival at sea.
Originally produced in March 2018, I have since discovered quite a lot of extra footage of Rickenbacker that I did not have when the video was first produced, including footage of the rescue. Clips from the the USAAF training film "Ditch and Live" have also been included.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
USAAF training film "Ditch and Live:" archive.org/details/DitchAndLive
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #wwii
Rickenbacker had a second home in Florida. According to the late Paul Harvey, the retired Rickenbacker went to the beach every morning to feed the seagulls as an act of gratitude.
Jerry Mills I believe the Rickenbacker causeway is named after him.
@@EvlRed I check it out. Rickenbacker lived in Coconut Grove, which abuts Miami. The Rickenbacker Causeway connects MIami with Virginia Key and Key Biscayne; and, yes, the causeway was named for him. Thanks for the heads up.
I was just thinking recently how some of The History Guy’s stories are Harvey-esque.
@@uppastdawn7627 In that same vein, I often reflect that many people consider history and geography "boring" because they don't realize just how much they love history and geography. People pay to watch movies about history, and they often think of traveling to other lands and encountering other cultures. Too many school administrators think that anybody can teach history and geography; so, instead of assigning those courses to teachers who enjoy and understand the subjects, they assign them to people to teachers who have time for them in their schedule. As a consequence, "history" and "geography" are reduced to rote memorization of dates, capitals, and other data that people can easily find for themselves if they feel the need to know.
@Up Past Dawn Every so often my attention is riveted to one episode or another. I usually respond by writing, "Paul Harvey would be proud!"
A true American. How lucky America has been to have such men serve her. Thank you sir, for your service to our country.
Whitpusmc, wish the country were not so divided and would come together again as a constitutional republic. sigh!
Turning to prayer when rage beckons, staying married to one woman for 51 years... this is a great man.
That was a good woman too. (Some would call me a chevenist, but, I agree behind EVERY great man, is at least 1 great woman).
*_I was born in 1972. It’s amazing to me that I once shared the planet with such an historic person._*
born in 1964, thought the very same thing...
@@999torino born in 1912, thought the same thing...
@@notmaireelneim Wow, you have lived through an incredible century of history yourself!
I read in a biography, or maybe it was the History of Eastern Airlines, where Rickenbacker was prominently featured of course, that when he was an old retired guy he would daily go to a park near the ocean and feed the seagulls shrimp; he always appreciated that seagull that he felt was surely sent by God to save the downed crew.
That gull showed that land was nearby...
@@davidhollenshead4892 Really! I didn't know that. I thought that those birds would fly great distances over water, since they could land to rest and eat, and then take off again whenever they wanted to, or, ride on or followed ships to eat the scraps thrown overboard.
@@davidhollenshead4892 .......That gull had a lot of Gall.
@@d.e.b.b5788 Yeah, gulls do follows boats when they can get an easy meal but they generally hang out closer to land. And they can float like ducks. But know this: by all reports, they taste absolutely awful. Rickenbacker and his mates deserve the DSO for eating one. Cheers!
An albatross can stay at sea for years at a time. So I dont think it'd be unreasonable to mistake for a seagull.
I knew a man who was member of the 'Eddie Rickenbacker Club'. He survived his B-17 going down over the Zuiderzee; he was the only crew survivor to live through the night.
As a small kid in the early '70s, Eddie Rickenbacker was my childhood hero. I did a school report on him when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade (can't remember which) and remember reading about the downed plane incident, but it's something that, over time, I had forgotten. Thanks for jarring my memory, and for making a lot of memories come back. Eddie is an American legend, and I hope that isn't lost over time.
EVR has been my hero since I read his autobiography in 7th grade. I have visited his gravesite in Columbus and the home of his squadron mate, Norman Hall in Tahiti. I have the New York Herald Tribune from Nov. 1942 with an article on his rescue. A great man, a strong character, an inspirational leader, and a national treasure. Thanks for the update.
Yes, I read the Rickenbacker autobiography in college days, when it was first published. Bought at the campus bookstore and still consider it one of the best books I have ever read. Need to dig it out and read it again!!!
About 1988, in grade school I READ a story about 7 men in a life raft, rain water saved their thirst, and they killed a shark, but, couldnt eat it. But, a seagull fed them. And one men fed shrimp to seagulls after the war to say thanks...
35 years later, I look it up to show my 8 year old... -- what a story.
After 50 years alive, and over 40 years as a history student, this is the 1st I've heard of this story.
Thank you for doing this. It ABSOLUTELY DOES deserve to be remembered and taught in schools... it might instill morals and character in our children, like they used to have back when I was a kid.
Again-- thank you.
Inspiring the other survivors to out live him! Great leadership quality!
I had one boss who was so annoying that I refused to let him get the better of me. I can only imagine what Rickenbacker must have been like to get that kind of determination from his crew.
One of the most amazing stories I’ve ever heard. This is quintessential “The History Guy.” How is this story not more famous?
I read his autobiography as a younger man several times! He was a great man and lead a charmed life!
I knew who he was but I had NEVER heard this story! Thank you so much! This is why I subscribed!!!
Same here! Totally surprised ti see the story behind the man.
Awesome life!
I watched a lot of movies as a kid and my introduction to Eddie was his story on film. Starred Fred McMurray as Capt. Eddie. It was a great introduction to the legend he was.
Enjoyed his Autobiography too.
Becoming one of my favorite youtube channels...
So, you are just catching up.😀😀😀
Amazing story of survival. It takes a miracle to find a life raft in the vast Pacific Ocean. Thanks HG, I didn't know this Rickenbacker story.
Recently watched the March 2018 version. I really appreciate You revisiting and updating with additional video.
My Dad went to flight school with his son and met Eddie at their graduation. I know they spoke about WW1 flight combat. A few years ago I read Unbroken about Louis Zamperini's odyssey and learned about this chapter in Rickenbacker's life.
Wow! School history class should be this fascinating. You're the best History Guy.
I has a professor in college, Carl Fraser, he claimed to have been Bobby Kenedys personal driver. He was wealthy, from doing joint ventures in China. But, he loved to tell stories JUST LIKE THIS.
He left Alaska in about 2001, and did 1 class At Oregon State University, the students (myself included) enjoyed his classes so much, he stuck around 3 or 4 years. I have a "extra" minor in history, because I took so many of his classes, I ended up with a minor when it was time to graduate.
-- miss him, he might still be alive.... should look him up.
Another remarkable (And for me, unknown) chapter in the life of this remarkable man!
When we were kids, my mom read Rickenbacker's autobiography out loud to me and my brothers, and I have never forgotten the amazing story of his survival, especially the drama of catching the seagull that landed on his head, although that was around 45 years ago. He said in his book that ever since being lost at sea, he made a ritual of drinking a glass of water every day with great gratitude as he thought about the incredible thirst they had endured. This inspired me to immediately start doing the same, until well into adulthood. LOL One of my brothers actually got Rickenbacker's address through the library somehow and wrote him a letter--and was beyond thrilled when Rickenbacker wrote him back. I think it says a lot about his character that he not only wrote a nice thoughtful letter back to a kid who wrote him a fan letter, but even corresponded with him for a while, I think it was during the last year or two of Rickenbacker's life, because my brother was born in 1962.
In the 1950s one of my elementary school teachers handed out a list of books and told us to choose one to read and write a report on it. I chose "Seven Came Through". Mr. Rickenbacker's story so impressed me that he has remained a hero of mine to this day and I have a copy of the book on my bookshelf. During this video I was amazed at how much I didn't know about his life. Thank you, History Guy.
I'm a retired senior NCO from the Air Force. They teaches about Eddie Rickenbacker all through our career but we've never once been taught this story. thank you so much for researching and sharing this!
I remember reading his autobiography as a teenager and being inspired. What a remarkable man. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Wow! While I knew some about Eddie Rickenbacker, I can't say I knew this. This is right in there with John Kennedy and PT109.
Not sure how they compare. Rickenbacker had no role in his (air)ship being destroyed. Rickenbacker was there (Pacific) voluntarily while Kennedy was sent there after being pitched out of Naval Intelligence because of an affair with a married woman suspected of being a Nazi spy (Inga Arvad).
(Note, this is not the same woman (Ellen Rometsch, an actual East German spy) he had the affair with in the White House.
Eddied tried to turn the MOH away, while Joe Kennedy tried to get John awarded one. The Navy made Joe a deal: Shut up about a MOE and we will forget about the court martial we are seriously considering against John. He had a reputation as a lax commander, was in violation of specific orders by cruising on just 1 of the 3 engines. Post wreck, swimming to signal for help in the channel was courageous. It was also negligent of his duties. His duty as an officer was to stay with & lead his crew, assigning such tasks to able-bodied subordinates. Which he had.
One displayed leadership and grit. The other..... well..... something else.
@@ElsinoreRacer I was referring simply to the struggle for survival that both went through.
@@ElsinoreRacer Interesting details that don't much show up in the mainstream hagiography of JFK. Thanks.
Not even close.
There is a huge difference between the two. Eddie Rickenbacker relied on what he knew. John Kennedy relied on who he knew.
Thanks for the updated footage, this story was worth a second watch anyways but the new stuff made it better. Such an amazing story of survival.
Wow, What a story. A true Hero. R.I.P. Eddie.
I am reading his autobio right now. That wasn"t the only crash he surived either. Capt. Eddie got busted up when his airliner crashed in Georgia.
Thank you History Guy for another very interesting video.
I never knew Eddie Rickenbacker led Eastern Airlines, nor that it had been owned by GM .
He was one Great American 🇺🇸
Thanks, History Guy. That's a great, inspirational (and largely overlooked) story!
He had a large ranch NW of Kerrville Texas. In the '60s he gave a large portion of land to the Boy Scouts for a summer camp. I and hundred of other scouts formed a line to drive the deer off of the property and onto his remaining property protected by tall deer fence. The camp, Bear Creek, is still used by the BSA today.
And a later named an Air Force base after him, near Columbus Ohio. My dad used to tell me stories about this man. I visited the base one time, it was awesome I was just a kid and can barely remember. But this man definitely was a hero and his wife was as well. Never give up, always keep hope close to your heart and mind.
Fred MacMurray played him in the Bio Pic of his life, Eastern Airlines was the only Major Airline I had applied to that had me come in for an interview. The recession back in 1979 was making it tough for aviation and well Eastern didn't survive.
Very sad that the union had a hand in destroying Eastern Airlines while verbally trashing than President Frank Borman, another hero in his own right. I am a union member myself and still don't understand it.
Captain Eddie's autobiography is great reading!
Thanks history guy
Great piece of history! No one could share it better than The History Guy!
Other than the people involved of course. Both Rickenbacker and the Copilot James Whittaker wrote accounts of the ordeal.
Love this man! He also survived an air crash in civilian life that was so violent one of his eyes left the socket. Despite this and many broken bones, he survived. Eastern Airlines flight 21. He also wrote a book on economics.
That crash was on February 26, 1941 - a little over a year before this happened. Talk about 9 lives.
dotlibrary.specialcollection.net/Document?db=DOT-AIRPLANEACCIDENTS&query=(select+104)
Bet he told his rescuers that he "kept an eye out" for them. 😂
I was a college student when Eddie Rickenbacker's autobiography was published in 1967. I knew who he was, but not really too much about him. I bought the book at the Student book store and it became one of my favorite books. Still have it, and now I need to read it again. One thing I remember is that when he was looking to buy jets for Eastern Airlines the British Comet was being considered. During flight he walked around and around the back of the plane he saw movement of the aluminum sheeting and told them to land the plane. Later there were crashes of the Comet and it was found there was a weakness because of the square windows.
So interesting fact:
In 1980 I was a navigation student for USMC C130’s.
We literally put a periscope sextant through a roof top port and did celestial fixes.
As for Rickenbacker. They just don’t make ‘em like that any more.
Thank you History Guy for this story. I don't think there are many people like this in the world much anymore. What shall we do without them.
I read his biography and just marveled at this great American. Thank you for putting this great hero up to your audience!
You should have your own television show. You make such an excellent host!! Amazing story.
Bonnie Phillips don’t you think that this is a far better format than a primitive TV show? If you are subscribed then you will get a notification whenever a new episode hits the airwaves. I am in Australia and have found HG has a wonderfully rounded appreciation of history that hasn’t left him blindly repeating US stories- now that’s refreshing! Go Patreon and you can support him.
The History Channel used to be like this. Now the History Channel is a non-stop (un) Reality Show. We need people like The History Guy and Mark Felton and a few others on RUclips to bring history back to us. Great Job keep it up.
How wonderful this man was! Would that we had his spirit and conviction nowadays!
He was also in a plane crash in 1941. He was trapped in wreckage, yet consoled other survivors. His injuries were so bad, hospital staff left him for dead. Rickenbacker's injuries included a fractured skull, other head injuries, a shattered left elbow with a crushed nerve, a paralyzed left hand, several broken ribs, a crushed hip socket, a pelvis broken in two places, a severed nerve in his left hip, and a broken left knee. Rickenbacker's left eyeball was also blown out of its socket.
One tough SOB.
The Bonus Marchers...is History that deserves to be remembered.
Magnificent! Heroism in the face of extreme adversity is the pinacle of humanity virtue. What a great story. Even more telling is that the Rickenbackers were married for 50+ years.
I was nine when Mr. Rickenbacker passed. I can't remember if I read anything about it in the news at the time, but it's nice to know he lived into my recollection of time. It seems not only did Eddie have guts, he had guile as well. It can serve you well when needed.
Geeeze! Why didn't our school teachers feature Mr. Rickenbacker as heavily as Ben Franklin or Teddy Roosevelt? 48 years old and I'm just learning about this amazing American's life. All I knew him for was as a flying ace in The Great War. Thank you again sir!
One of the best video’ s recalling True Hero’s !!!! Not always so , as some hero’s pass quietly , but this is inspiring !!! Thanks History Guy !!!
Watching this I am reminded of Charles Lindbergh and his contributions to WW2 as a civilian aviator, flying missions in the Southwest Pacific Theater. I also thought of the story of Harold Dixon and his aircraft crew who spent over 30 days at sea in one of those rafts. Their story was told in the book "The Raft" and the movie "Against the Sun." Additionally, I have seen that raft in the Naval Academy Museum. They really were small.
Such supermen and women are (increasingly) rare. Thanks for that great tale.
We had been discussing this exact story in our home over the past couple of weeks. I recently visited the Shannon Air Musuem in Fredericksburg, VA. After spending some time going through the impressive collection of aircraft, the docent took me straightaway to a glass display case which held some clothing and equipment used by Richard Byrd in Antarctica. Next to those items in the case were a pair of socks, which were the socks worn by Rickenbacker in the life raft. There were yellow stains on the backs of the socks from the raft. The socks had been knit for him by Sid Shannon Sr.'s wife; Mr. Shannon, who had done quite well in the air mail, worked with Rickenbacker to start Eastern, and was a company executive and friend to Rickenbacker for many years. His son Sid Jr. started the museum, which then was moved to Richmond to become the nucleus of the now-defunct Virginia Aviation Museum, and has recently been moved back to its original home at Shannon Airport in Fredericksburg, VA.
www.shannonairmuseum.com/
This is the most detailed account of Rickenbacker's WWII survival incident that I have seen. My father was fortunate enough to meet Rickenbacker when he was stumping for Barry Goldwater during the 1964 presidential campaign. Dad inquired, "Mr. Rickenbacker, may I ask how old you are?", to which he replied, "I'm 73 years young, son." It's all about your personal attitude, and, from what I've read, his was a very positive one that did not tolerate fools.
His biography was one of the first books I ever read. I will always be astounded at this survival story. One helluva man!
thamks capt eddie one of my favorite heroes
As a kid growing up in Switzerland, we had a cassette at home with the story of this plane, based on the book one of the survivors wrote. Truly impressing!
I first learned about Rickenbacker’s survival on a life raft in the Pacific from big headlines in a newspaper- a stack of yellowing newspapers under my Dad’s cabin in 1961. I was amazed. I had never known anything beyond Rickenbacker’s WW I ace status. My Dad was very casual about WW II: to him, all of it had happened to him just yesterday- the way we feel now about things that happened in 2002. "Ancient" history is anything that happened before the day you were born.
Can not believe the power of a man's belief in life until you hear stories of Heroism such as Eddie Rickenbacker. The History Guy Channel is the place for me.
When the original episode aired, I was parked just outside Rickenbacker Airport. Here I am catching up on my missed episodes from vacation, and once again, I'm parked outside Rickenbacker Airport waiting for my next load.
Always entertaining and informative. Thank you!
Salt of the earth we can all learn from and realize that these men and women from then where a different breed and we can could never be as tough as them I love your videos it helps me to carry the torch of are people and to forgive but never forget
Still a great story! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for the extra footage
This is a much better story than the traditional "Flying Ace Story" about this fine man. I am glad you enlightened us.
I read “We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing” in high school back in the seventies. It is a great book about this episode.
When he was at GM, my father-in-law’s father received an autographed copy of his biography. It currently is at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It is no longer on display to keep the ink from fading. However, it is still in their collection. I dropped a couple of names associated with my father-in-law and they took me behind the scene to view it for myself.
I read an article about this ditching, sojourn, and rescue when I was a boy. It stated that Rickenbacher transferred the rainwater from the buckets to a Mae West, it being the only closed container to keep the water from evaporating. He used his mouth to transfer the water and the other men watched his Adams apple to make sure he didn't swallow any of the water. Eddie was a man of integrity, a man of great character.
Another Captain Eddie fact. He had a tremendous memory for names. In college in '61 when he gave a speech at our aviation admin class. He personally greeted each of us and asked for our names and a bit of background. Two years later, I'm in the dean's office on a matter and the dean is on the phone with non other than Captain Eddie. "Do you wish to speak to Captain Eddie?", the dean asked. Shocked I blurted out yes and the phone was handed to me. The captain asked my name and then asked about my parents in Washington state! I am still in awe of his many abilities. As I type this, a large framed photograph of him in his WW1 uniform is on my office wall looking down at me. He could be a difficult person when his blood was up, yet he got things done.
Thankyou for sharing Adelaide's part of the story, the pop humor of those times might remind us of a beloved's tenacity.
Holy hell, what an amazing man & inspiring figure! I love hearing about stories like this! This gentleman is the epitome of a True American Hero. Salute to Mr.Rickenbacker & all the troops for their service & sacrifice!👏🏽🙏🏽💪🏽🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The greatest citizen of Columbus by far. To those from Franklin County, the story is well known. Thank you for spreading the news of one of America's great heroes.
Rickenbacker's autobiography about his experiences flying in WW1, "Fighting The Flying Circus", is an excellent and detailed look into how those brave deathtrap-flying aviators lived and fought near the end of the war.
It's not a long read, but left a lasting impression about his, and his fellow pilots', dramatic ordeals. It's also public domain, so you can find it for free on the 'net, or extremely cheap with digital retailers.
So, I feel obligated to comment yet again. If you feel the need to DISLIKE the video, DON"T! Don't watch it. Great job as usual .
Whilst I knew this about the man , am so glad that you provide the info to those who dont
Plz keep up the good work and continue to focus on heros'..America still needs them
now more than ever
Side note . Congratulations first to your son and his new bride! Second, congratulations to you and your wife as proud parents! And third, as usual great video.
What a powerful story! Wonderfully told. Thank you again History Guy!
Hero to the last, and beyond!
I have always been interested in aviation from a very young age, and am drawing near retirement myself after a successful career flying jets. Way back when I was in junior high school I was reading a book about Eddie Rickenbacker when I saw on the news one night that he had died. I remember I wrote the year of his birth and his death inside the cover of the book before giving it back to the school library. A couple of years ago I read a more in depth book about him, which went into quite a bit of detail about the B17 incident and their fight for survival on the sea. Rickenbacker was truly "larger than life". Great video. Thanks
Thanks History Guy. Being interested in WW1 and WW2's history I can't believe that I never new that Eddie Rickenbacker was involved in WW11. This is one of the reasons that I am such a fan of your channel. You truly keep history fresh and alive.
How about Charles Lindbergh? He also went to the Pacific as a observer and technical rep. And managed to wind up flying P-38's with ace Tomas McGuire.
Captain Eddie was very much involved in WW II. He went on private missions for the top brass.
There was a book about this I read back in the 70s. It was called "We thought we heard the Angel's sing". I think was written by the plane's skipper.
I have a large book on the life of Rickenbacker. He was barely recovered from a major airline crash when his sea adventure occurred. Even our enemies respected Eddie. He lived an amazing life.
I'm from Columbus and we're quite proud of Eddie. Next to the airport there is a very nice restaurant called the 94th Aero Squadron.
Wow...what a GREAT story.
I can't believe they were floating out in the Pacific for over 2 WEEKS!
...that's just so insane...
I recently discovered The History Guy. As an Englishman now living permanently in the (fantastic) USA, I do not have much to regret about leaving England, but the paucity of good quality American-centric history programs, ones that might say compete with the generally excellent BBC, ITV and Channel 4 programs produced in the U.K. has been a disappointment over the past 7 years or so. Yes there are good American history and documentary programs, but always they are punctuated with advertisements and then the presenters (or producers) seem to feel compelled to 'recap' each point two or three times to pad out what is commonly just a dumbed down version of the tale at hand. So hurrah for the History Guy. Machine gun delivery, relevant 'narrator commentary', excellent contextualization (very important for those not brought up with American history), genuine passion, a vast array of themes, always interesting and without doubt my favorite source of all time for learning something from history....and we should all be prepared to keep doing that! I hope you continue to thrive and NEVER be tempted to change the punchy format or any other of the features that make you so watchable. Keep this up, sir, and you'll become a national treasure in your own right, of that I am certain.
Thank you for posting this! Fascinating & inspiring story - but I bet never taught in schools.😢
Remarkable story -- and while I enjoyed the previous version, I very much appreciated the update.
Thanks for the reminder that E.R. was an amazing man. I read his biography years ago. His story of survival at sea was the outstanding part I have always remembered.
Thank you for this, just amazing.
Maybe one of the best "History Guy" episodes so far.
Another American hero Charles Lindbergh know mostly for the first solo flight over the Atlantic also participated in the Pacific Theater of WW2. With his experience was able to teach other pilots how to maximize the range of their aircraft & on long distance over sea navigation. Supposedly also shot down a Japanese aircraft during his service. I'd love to see the History Guy to do a piece on him.. Gene Roddenberry (producer of Star Trek) was also a B-17 pilot in the Pacific Theater and had some interesting war stories as well.
Excellent history lesson!
I thoroughly enjoy your presentations. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing his inspirational story.
Welcome back! Loved the video!
Thanks all over again.....!
A remarkable story of a remarkable man.
I love your videos and look forward to them every day . Keep it up .
Fantastic story and narration. Thank you.
Nice update...thank you for re-posting!
Terrific story. Thank you so much!