Date of Birth: February 13, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: December 7, 2020
Biography
Charles Elwood “Chuck” Yeager was an American aviator, born on February 13, 1923, in Myra, West Virginia. He is most famous for being the first pilot confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight. Yeager enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in 1941 and served as a fighter pilot during World War II, achieving ace status in a single mission by downing five enemy aircraft. After the war, Yeager became a test pilot at Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base) and was selected to fly the Bell X-1. On October 14, 1947, he successfully broke the sound barrier, flying at Mach 1.07 at an altitude of 45,000 feet. This monumental achievement established Yeager as an aviation legend and paved the way for future advances in aerospace technology. Yeager continued his career in the U.S. Air Force, eventually rising to the rank of brigadier general. He also commanded fighter squadrons and wings, and he served in various capacities during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In addition to his military service, Yeager made numerous contributions to aviation and aeronautics, including working as a consultant and authoring several books. Yeager passed away on December 7, 2020, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most significant figures in aviation history.
5 Interesting Facts about Chuck Yeager
1. Chuck Yeager was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985.
2. He achieved ace status in World War II by shooting down five enemy aircraft in a single day.
3. Yeager’s flight that broke the sound barrier was kept secret from the public for nearly a year.
4. He was portrayed by actor Sam Shepard in the 1983 film “The Right Stuff.”
5. Yeager continued to fly and test aircraft well into his later years, including piloting an F-15 at the age of 89.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chuck Yeager
1. “You don’t concentrate on risks. You concentrate on results. No risk is too great to prevent the necessary job from getting done.”
2. “Just before you break through the sound barrier, the cockpit shakes the most.”
3. “I was always afraid of dying. Always. It was my fear that made me learn everything I could about my airplane and my emergency equipment.”
4. “Rules are made for people who aren’t willing to make up their own.”
5. “The first time I ever saw a jet, I shot it down.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Chuck Yeager’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $1.5 million.
Children
Chuck Yeager had four children with his first wife, Glennis Dickhouse: Donald Yeager, Michael Yeager, Sharon Yeager, and Susan Yeager.
Relevant Links
1. [Chuck Yeager’s Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chuck-Yeager
2. [Chuck Yeager on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Yeager
4. [NASA’s Tribute to Chuck Yeager](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-remembers-chuck-yeager
5. [Chuck Yeager’s Official Website](https://chuckyeager.com/
