Eddie Rickenbacker was an American Fighter Ace in World War I, a race car driver, airline executive, and Medal of Honor recipient. Of his successes, he had the most victories in aerial combat in WWI and also raced in the Indy 500 three times setting a record of 134 miles per hour. On a secret mission in World War II, the B17 that Rickenbacker and a crew of men were in was shot down over the Pacific Ocean. The team was adrift at sea for over twenty days and Rickenbacker was one of the few survivors. Although this portrait was taken before this accident, as well as many of his life's near-death experiences, he addresses the camera with a knowing expression that is centered and at the same time piqued by his adherence to the adrenaline-fused activities that issued them.