Bill Lambert: Ohio’s Other World War I Flying Ace

Featuring Samuel J. Wilson, Professor of History at the University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Ohio.

You have heard of America’s top World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker of Columbus, but did you know that another Ohioan was next in line? Join us for an evening with Professor Samuel Wilson of the University of Rio Grande to learn about the exploits of William C. Lambert of Ironton, Ohio, who served as a figher pilot in the British Royal Flying Corps during World War I and was credited with shooting down 22 enemy aircraft (compared to Rickenbacker’s 26) between April and August 1918. Suffering from battle fatigue, Lambert was sent back to England on medical leave during the last two and a half months of the war thus ending hi chances of topping Rickenbacker’s record. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and went on to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.