Who was America's greatest ace in World War 1?

Answer 1

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was the 'Ace of Aces' in WW1...
America's Ace of Aces in World War I was Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, flying with the 94th Aero Squadron. By the end of the war, he accumulated 26 victories in the air, more than any other American pilot at the time.

Answer 2

Simple Question----difficult to answer, as many Americans served with the French and British. The first unit organized as an American unit was the Lafayette Escadrille, which flew with the French. Douglas Campbell is reported to be the first American ace to down 5 a/c.

The first outstanding pilot of the Lafayette Escadrillewas Raoul Lufberry. He had scored his 6th victory by December 1916 and his 7th victim fell on 24 Jan 1917. This was well before aces like Frank Luke and Eddie Rickenbacker racked up their scores while serving with the US fighter squadrons.

George Augustus Vaughn, Jr. was another pilot who flew with the Lafayette Escadrille. He scored 7 victories by 23 Aug 1918.

So, according to the wording of your question, you asked what was America's first Ace. I consider the Lafayette Escadrille an American unit, even though they did not in the US Air Service. There were many other Americans who served in the uniforms of other countries. Some transferred to the American Service but many did not.

Frederick Libby flew as observer/gunner on a 2-seat FE-2b with the RAF and scored 5 victories with the RAF. He later transferred to fighter planes and then later transferred to the US Air Service as a DH 4 pilot.

Elliot Springs is another American who was a member of the US Army and was sent to train and fly with the RAF. He also scored his 7th victory also in August 1918.

Captain Frederick W. Gillet was an American native of Baltimore, MD and attended Univ. of Virginia. He joined the British RAF and flew with Squadron No. 79 and did not transfer to an American unit. Gillet was the 2nd highest ranking American ace behind Eddie Rickenbacker with 20 confirmed victories. He held the highest score of any pilot flying the late-model Sopwith Dolphin 5F.1.

Answer 3

I think the "Red Baron", Manfred von Richtofen, was credited with the most victories. The British aces included Albert Ball & Mickey Mannock. Guy Niemayer was a French ace. The first great pilot though is perhaps the greatest: Oswald Boelke, he flew a Fokker E 1 Eindekker at a time known as 'the Fokker Scourge' and shot down many Allied aircraft. Oswald Boelke actually met his death when his wingman's airlane collieded with his Albatros D.II. Boelke was known for his dictum for fighter pilots and was an inspiration for many that followed him.

Answer 4

Do you mean the most decorated US ace? There were several American aces. Some Americans flew for other countries. Here are a few. Eddie Rickenbacker highest scoring American ace. Frank Luke Captain Frederick W. Gillet was an American native of Baltimore, MD and he joined the British RAF and flew with Squadron No. 79. Major Gervais Raoul Lufbery was born of an American father. This allowed him to join other American volunteers who established France's Lafayette Escadrille. His score of 16 kills makes him as the highest ranking ace of the Lafayette Escadrille.

Answer 5

Captain Edward "Eddie" Vernon Rickenbacker with 26 kills

Answer 6

Eddie Rickenbacker

Answer 7

Richard Ira "Dick" Bong; 40 kills; USAAF, flew P-38 in the Pacific