More detail on this person: Ernest "Rick" "Fast
Eddie" Rickenbacker (Blue Max 22), 63, of
Greenbrier, son of the late Ernest W. and Thesee
(Kantsos) Rickenbacker, passed away Saturday,
Sept. 13, 2008.
Ernest W. Rickenbacker September 14, 1944 -
September 13, 2008
Ernest "Rick" Rickenbacker, 63, of Greenbrier
Arkansas, passed away Saturday, September 13,
2008. In 1971-72 he was an aircraft commander
and instructor pilot in F Battery 79th Aerial
Rocket Artillery, 3d Bde Sep 1st Cav. His awards
were the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak leaf
cluster , a rack of Air medals, the Purple Heart
and an Army commendation medal with V.
One of his greatest acts did not receive an award,
but the lifelong respect of his peers. On October
12th, 1971 he saved the life of his copilot. In
Jim MacLachlan, Blue Max 26's, words: "Rick gave
me the "gift" of life on Oct.12th of 1971 by
dragging me out of a burning Cobra. I have lived
every day since with that thought top-of-mind...
and I have strived to do it in a manner that would
make Rick proud. I am not aware of Rick sharing
the details of Oct 12th... he just didn't seem to
weigh the risk of leaving his position of safety
to return to the burning a/c to pull me out. Later
he would recall that he t ought I was dead from
the initial "hits", but saw my head move and ran
back to the Cobra and into the fire to pull me out
of the cockpit. He had to have known the risk he
was taking, and if not, the immediate xplosions of
rockets, fuel and ammo were a reminder to us both
as we huddled behind a large ant hill. He then
left me with his 38 cal pistol
and headed through the jungle, unarmed, towards
the LZ to find help. It had to be a pretty lonely
feeling with two NVA Divisions in the area. Rick
was the first to visit me in the hospital and,
because my eyes were swollen shut, he sat there
and held my hand while we talked. For someone so
young, he was already a great man and an
awesome pilot. I often reflect on that tour and
regret that I wasn't able to finish my tour with
Blue Max.... but I'll miss most flying those
missions with "Fast Eddie"... and I'll always
cling to that special "gift" he gave me on Oct.
12th, 1971.
He was a loving husband, father, grand ther, and
brother. His son followed his lead flying OH 58Ds
During Rick's 23 years in the U.S. Army, he was an
accomplished Air Traffic Controller, Paratrooper,
Master Parachute Rigger, Combat Aviator , and
Flight Instructor. Due to his great skill and
knowledge in the field of aviation, the Army
Aviation Association of America (AAAA) presented
him with the award of Aviator of the Year in 1979.
In addition to his distinguished military career,
he was also a retired manager of the Apache
Program, Boeing Aerospace Corporation. In his
private life, he was a 32nd degree Mason and a
member of the Scottish rite, flew competitive
aerobatics, champion archer, gifted artist,
musician, professional angler, avid motorcyclist,
and participant in the Patriot Guard. He was a
true patriot who supported his brothers and
sisters in arms until his last breath. He will be
deeply missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m.
in the chapel of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home,
Conway, Arkansas.
My own "Reunion" with Rick after almost 35 yrs.
was special. Other than the grey hair and center
of gravity "shift" for us both, VN-1971 could have
been yesterday. Rick had actually "tracked" me
over the yrs. and we just missed connecting at
least twice. That's just the way Rick was. So it
was really important to me visiting Rick and in a
very personal way thank him profusely for the
"gift" of life he gave me on Oct.12th of 1971 by
dragging me out of that burning Cobra. I have
lived every day since with that thought
top-of-mind... and I have strived to do it in a
manner that would make Rick proud. I am not
aware of Rick sharing the details of Oct 12th...
he just didn't seem to weigh the risk of leaving
his position of safety to return to the burning
a/c to pull me out. Later he would recall that he
thought I was dead from the initial "hits", but
saw my head move and ran back to the Cobra and
into the fire to pull me out of the cockpit. He
had to have known the risk he was taking, and if
not, the immediate explosions of rockets, fuel and
ammo were a reminder to us both as we huddled
behind a large ant hill. He then left me with his
38 cal pistol and headed through the jungle,
unarmed, towards the LZ to find help. It had to be
a pretty lonely feeling with two NVA Divisions in
the area. Eddie was the first to visit me in the
hospital and, because my eyes were swollen shut,
he sat there and held my hand while we talked. For
someone so young, he was already a great man
and an awesome pilot. I often reflect on that tour
and regret that I wasn't able to finish my tour
with Blue Max.... but I'll miss most flying those
missions with "Fast Eddie"... and I'll always
cling to that special "gift" he gave me on Oct.
12th, 1971.
From: Jim MacLachlan Blue Max 26
I was mentored by this great American, both in
Vietnam and later in flight school. I became a
better officer and soldier because of the interest
he shown a crewchief. Heaven will be a better
place for him. For the family, the darkness of his
passing can be well illuminated by the many who
loved him and those he touched. Thank you for
sharing this patriot. From my family to yours, may
God hold you closely during this time... "Pockets"
From: Dean E. Doudna
On October 11, 1971, I awoke in Sandpoint, Idaho,
to find that an unseasonably early blizzard had
struck. It was an unusual event for an unusual
day. It was the day that I was to drive to
Spokane, Washington to catch a flight which would
take me to Travis AFB, California, my departure
point for my second tour in Vietnam.
As I drove to Spokane with my wife, Mary, we heard
an hourly network news report. During those days,
little was being reported of activities in
Vietnam. If there was a report, one could fairly
reliably guess that the subject would be negative.
Indeed, it was. I had just finished flight school
followed by a Cobra transition course, and I was
being assigned to Vietnam as a Cobra pilot. The
news report informed that an Army Cobra with two
on board had been shot down in Tay Ninh Province,
near the Cambodian border. Knowing nothing of the
people involved, my only reaction was a
nervousness about the fact that I would, at the
end of my current travels, be in the same
environment. It was a report that I'd rather not
have heard.
A few days later, I found myself assigned to F
Battery, 79th Artillery, 3rd Brigade (Separate),
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). When I arrived
there, I learned that the crash which I'd heard
about while driving to Spokane had occurred in my
new unit. The people who told me about what had
happened spoke admirably of the pilot of the
helicopter.
It has been many years, but I recall that they
told me of how "Fast Eddie" Rickenbacker had,
after crash landing his helicopter and finding his
helicopter on fire, moved to a position where he
could remove his co-pilot/gunner, Jim MacLachlan,
from the aircraft. This was complicated by the
fact that MacLachlan was seriously injured. Upon
removing Jim from the aircraft, Fast Eddie was
able to move both himself and MacLachlan behind a
dirt mound as all the weapons systems "cooked off"
in the aircraft fire. Rickenbacker gave MacLachlan
his pistol and went looking for help. Jim
MacLachlan was rescued by an Infantry patrol that
approached from a different path than that taken
by Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker was spotted by
ground surveillance radar and picked up by a
Medivac helicopter. MacLachlan was evacuated to
continental U.S.
Fast Eddie quickly returned to flight status and
completed his tour. His tour ended after the Blue
Max became engaged in a battle at An Loc, one of
the most difficult Army Aviation environments of
the entire Vietnam War. During his tour, he
continued to distinguish himself with skill and
courage.
I first met him one day on the flight line. He
was in the process of painting a hat in a ring on
the fuselage of his aircraft. I didn't understand
the significance of this, but I later learned that
it was a reference to the "Hat in the Ring
Squadron" commanded by Eddie Rickenbacker in
World War I. I figured that Fast Eddie, having
had his "baptism of fire" had symbolically thrown
his "hat in the ring."
Years later, in 1995, in Houston, I met and became
friends with a retired Army Aviator by the name of
Ron Timberlake. As I became acquainted with Ron,
we talked of places we'd been and people we'd
known. Ron had a special fondness and respect for
a fellow that he'd known both in Germany and at
Fort Campbell, "Fast Eddie" Rickenbacker. Those
who knew Ron will know that he did not accord his
respect and fondness lightly. It was a special
compliment for Ron to speak highly of another
pilot.
In recent years, I've re-involved myself with my
West Point classmates from the Class of 1966.
This involvement has been manifest mostly in
participation in a class forum on line. When Ron
Carpenter, one of my classmates, learned that I'd
served with the Blue Max, he immediately asked if
I'd known Rick Rickenbacker. When I answered
that I had, he related to me his profound respect
and friendship that he'd had with Fast Eddie while
working at McDonnell Douglas in Mesa, Arizona.
I have had the pleasure of seeing Fast Eddie only
twice since we served together in Vietnam. I've
been impressed by what he's accomplished, but
mostly, I've been moved by what I saw as just a
very nice person, one of those rare people with
whom, when you meet them, you know that you are
safe. You know that you can trust this person.
You know that this person will give of himself
without your asking. Besides seeing Fast Eddie
rarely over the years, I've also had occasional
telephone conversations with him. You could tell
in the way he talked about others that here was a
person who saw the good in everyone. He elevated
everyone. He was a good person to spend time
with.
My path with Fast Eddie is a long one with many
long gaps. It is connected, however, in the
knowledge that I've been blessed to know such a
person, a good person, a hero in battle, but, more
importantly, a hero in life. None of us will ever
achieve a higher accolade.
From: Mike Brown Bluemax 36 (1971-1972)
Mike, Thank you for sharing those thoughts. This
is a great message to add my deep respect for
"Fast Eddie" and his family. He is a true Patriot
and Hero. His leadership and professionalism in
Vietnam were truly remarkable. One of our last
opportunities to visit was at Ft. Bragg where we
gathered to thank and visit with the new Blue Max
as they readied for the first tour in Afghanistan.
The words that "Fast Eddie" shared with this new
generation were inspiring. After the unit returned
from Afghanistan, they sponsored a little league
baseball team and the largest supporter for
uniforms was "Fast Eddie". I keep Blue Max and all
associated in my prayers and ask that we do the
same for each other, especially Jackie and her
family. Respectfully, Larry McKay, Blue Max 6
Fire Support Base Pace was located at the junction
of highway QL 22 and the Cambodian border. That's
where the Ho Chi Minh Trail turned from Cambodia
to Vietnam.
Rick Rickenbacker and Jim MacLachlan were shot
down across QL 13 from FSB Pace. At that time,
we were all flying from Tay Ninh to cover the
extraction of FSB Pace. There was tremendous
enemy activity in the area - heavy anti-aircraft,
some radar controlled anti-aircraft and perhaps
two divisions of NVA.
The day before Fast Eddie and Jim were shot down
...
Larry McKay and several of us went for a situation
briefing to prepare for the next day extraction.
During that briefing, a request for fire support
came from FSB Pace. Bill Baskett, Warren Chunn,
Bob Knight and I bounced. Pace was taking a great
deal of accurate mortar fire. We shot the mortar
crew and turned to head back to Tay Ninh. A 23
mm cannon round went through Bill and Warren's
engine compartment. Knight and I took a hit in the
nose turret, which yanked the helicopter about 30
degrees left. Big flame. As its bright orange
tracers passed us, Knight spotted the 23 mm
cannon. I dove on the gun but all weapons were
inop and the cockpit filled with smoke. Bill
Baskett destroyed the 23 mm, and everything in the
area, before it could get Knight and me.
At Tay Ninh, Bill's Cobra was red X'd. They fixed
my rocket system. Turned out the cockpit smoke
was from wire insulation in the armament system
catching fire. My helicopter was flyable but the
turret weapons remained inop. The next day, Rick
and Jim were to escort the battalion Huey as it
laid smoke to cover the extraction. I recall Rick
said they were behind the smoke ship, at 800 feet
and descending when they took about fifteen 51 cal
hits. Rick went into the trees, put it down laying
to one side and burning. We listened to all this
from our radio in Tay Ninh. All other unit Cobras
were on this extraction mission. Blue Max Cobras
stayed on station as long as possible. Then, we
got a call to go replace the Blue Max ships on
station. Baskett and Chunn had a B/D helicopter
and couldn't go.
When we arrived, the patrol was bringing Jim back
from the site. Rick wasn't there. He'd given Jim
his pistol and went for help. The ground
commander at FSB Pace said they acquired an
individual in the elephant grass half a click from
the FSB. I intended to pick Rick up with the
Cobra. Goldy, one of our Medivac pilots, radioed
to say he'd heard all this on the Fox Mike, was
les than one minute out and picked Rick out of the
elephant grass. This was good because I was flying
68-15147. Hovering was not one of 147's
attributes. Later finding some ironic humor in
all this, Rick said, "Those trees saved us. Next
time this happens, I'm going right for the trees."
From: Art Jetter, Blue Max 12
Filling in a little of Rick and Jim's excellent
adventure:
After leaving Jim with his .38, Rick headed for
what he hoped was the Fire Base. He grabbed a
few hand fulls of dirt and mud, and camouflaged
himself. Spotting the Huey, and realizing he was
cammied, he unzipped his flight suit and flashed
his white belly at the Huey. They saw it.
Bill Baskett, Blue Max 18
I am unable to express the sorrow that I feel
right now. The date and events of 10/12/71 brought
us together and forever entwined our lives. As I
related to you Jim, it was "Fast Eddie" I thought
that day was you. Because it was his name I had
heard mentioned and the pearl handled pistol he
left with you.
Although we never actually met, I was grateful for
the phone call you and he made. My prayers are
with his family. I may not be a Blue Max, but I
feel the loss also. Let Fiddlers Green accept
another great man.
From: Paul Marling, Platoon Medic, 1/12 Cav
I have been reading the posts online. I was
saddened by the news. I often talk or brag of MAX
one most talked about is have the honor of knowing
who he was and the man he was. I do remember
the last time we were together was a reunion and
at the airport, as the train doors were about to
close we both reached as to salute as I would an
officer. as it turned out we hugged and embraced
with great emotions. Jackie as you read this put
your right hand on the left shoulder and the left
on the right. Now squeezzzz tight. That is from
Laurie myself and our LORD. Rick is at peace and
in a great place. As time passes WE CAN ONLY
IMAGINE what a grand reunion we WILL all have
our LORD and others. There is nothing more grand
or rewarding as the POWER OF PRAYER AND our
LORD
IN HIS Grip Bruce Hendrickson Blue Max crew chief
71 - 72
Pictures of happier times. Fast Eddie came to see
us in Florida a year or so ago when he was doing
his cross-country motorcycle ride with his son.
We were honored to have him stay with us for a day
& night. He will be greatly missed.
From: J. T. (Jet) Jackson
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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