As a World War I hero, a champion racecar driver, and a successful businessman, Rickenbacker is the B-17 transport plane’s VIP passenger until it crashes. He becomes the crew’s commander once they are lost at sea. Rickenbacker is uniquely suited for this role because he has already survived a plane crash. He is instrumental in maintaining the men’s morale and keeping them focused on the well-being of the group, rather than themselves. His hardscrabble childhood and military background have made him disciplined and autocratic. He grew up in a family of poor, Swiss immigrants and learned how to fend for himself at a young age.

Rickenbacker is a complex figure. The other crewmembers have varying memories and opinions of Rickenbacker. Some of the men appreciate the authoritative role he assumed during their trial at sea; others claim that he only gave orders and never did any physical labor himself. As a World War I veteran, he was considerably older than the rest of the crew. This mitigating factor, as well as others, make it difficult to determine whether Rickenbacker was a hero or a scoundrel. For instance, it is possible that his impatience ultimately lead to the crew’s plane crash.