Edward Rucker

Edward Walter Rucker Jr. (March 20, 1894 – March 23, 1945), was an U.S. Army aviator during World War I who earned the Distinguished Service Cross in the skies over Europe as part of the 27th Aero Squadron.

Rucker was born in Bosworth, Missouri on March 20, 1894 to Edward Rucker, Sr. and Mary Thomas Guillet. Rucker attended college and became a high school principal in 1914 in Lebannon, Mo. and in 1916 Superintendent of Schools in Platte City, Mo. He joined the National Guard in 1915 and when his company was federalized he was a Corporal having served at the US-Mexico border from July 1916-February 1917.

In June 1918, Rucker and three fellow pilots engaged with enemy aircraft following an attack on three American reconnaissance planes, and Rucker engaged in single-handed combat with four enemy combatants. this time after Captain Rucker.