You might think the first Ace was Eddie Rickenbacker, but it wasn't. Nor was this Ace flying a modern-day jet with technology, speed, and maneuverability. He was in a simple biplane.
It was lt. Douglas Campbell, not Eddie Rickenbacker who became the first American Flying Ace in France during WW1. He achieved 5 confirmed kills before the better known Rickenbacker. It must have been a thrill and must have required extreme bravery to pilot such ill equipped airplanes against other equally poorly equipped planes. Skill and significant luck must have been involved to successfully achieve the status of Ace at that time. Thank you Tara for setting the record straight.
Now that is history! Thanks for bringing Douglas Campbell to the fore! But, Rickenbacker did show that age was not a factor as long as the pilot was capable and in shape. Yet, the record shows that the first ace was Campbell!
Learned another piece of history I did not know. Unbelievable what those men accomplished with such “weak” planes. It obviously took a lot of skill and a bit of luck. Thanks for telling Doug Campbell’s story. I don’t think it takes away from Eddie Rickenbacker’s achievements at all. Campbell deserves the recognition.
Well, Tara, let's correct the history books.
It was lt. Douglas Campbell, not Eddie Rickenbacker who became the first American Flying Ace in France during WW1. He achieved 5 confirmed kills before the better known Rickenbacker. It must have been a thrill and must have required extreme bravery to pilot such ill equipped airplanes against other equally poorly equipped planes. Skill and significant luck must have been involved to successfully achieve the status of Ace at that time. Thank you Tara for setting the record straight.
And here I thought Snoopy was the first ace! ;) It's a shame his honor was thoughtlessly tossed aside as Rickenbacker was on the rise.
Snoopy was pretty good, too. LOL.
Another great example of fighting to win the war!
I had not heard of Doug Campbell, Thank you !!
This is news to me, thank you for teaching me something new today Tara. I will not forget this lesson.
I took don't remember being introduced to Douglas Campbell in my 22 years USAF career. Thanks for the education Tara.
Now that is history! Thanks for bringing Douglas Campbell to the fore! But, Rickenbacker did show that age was not a factor as long as the pilot was capable and in shape. Yet, the record shows that the first ace was Campbell!
Learned another piece of history I did not know. Unbelievable what those men accomplished with such “weak” planes. It obviously took a lot of skill and a bit of luck. Thanks for telling Doug Campbell’s story. I don’t think it takes away from Eddie Rickenbacker’s achievements at all. Campbell deserves the recognition.
🇺🇲 It's a mystery to me how some names carry on through the years, and so many heroes are lost in the fog of history.
Thanks for remembering Lt. Campbell today...Lest we forget.
Thanks again, Tara for giving us “new” history.
Thank you, Tara.