National Museum of the United States Air Force™

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Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force curator Brett Stolle and curator of conservation, Jennifer Myers, install artifacts in the Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case which is on display in the WWII Gallery. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force curator of conservation, Jennifer Myers, installs artifacts in the Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case which is on display in the WWII Gallery. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force curator of conservation, Jennifer Myers, installs artifacts in the Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case which is on display in the WWII Gallery. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force curator Brett Stolle installs artifacts in the Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case which is on display in the WWII Gallery. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

DAYTON, Ohio -- Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift for 21 Days

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific

Eddie Rickenbacker Adrift in the Pacific exhibit case on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force(2019). Artifacts on display range from a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Eddie Rickenbacker Lost at Sea

As a nonmilitary observer, WWI Ace Eddie Rickenbacker had a mission to evaluate and report the status of U.S. Army Air Forces in the Pacific theatre during WWII. Unsuccessfully searching for Canton Island and low on fuel, their B-17 went down in the Pacific Ocean. Rickenbacker and the crew were adrift in life rafts for 21 days before being rescued. Artifacts on display include a survival vest, boots, fishing gear, pieces of the life rafts and Rickenbacker's hat which was used to bail water from the raft and catch rainwater.

Click here to return to the WWII Gallery

Click here for Capt. Edward Rickenbacker WWI

Screening at Entrance
All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items:
- Firearms*
- Knives
- Box cutters
- Food and Soda Drinks
- Alcohol
- Coolers

* Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC §930 (c)

Permitted Items:
- Water bottles (clear, sealed bottle, up to 20 oz.)
- Purses
- Camera bags
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- Service animals

Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles.
Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum.
Visitor Photography Notice
Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media.
Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum.