Biography
Retired Brigadier General Charles Elwood Yeager (February 13, 1923 - December 7, 2020) was a former United States Air Force officer, flying ace, and record-setting test pilot. In 1947, he became the first pilot in history confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight. Yeager shot down at least 11 enemy aircraft, mostly flying a P-51 Mustang, on the Western Front during WWII. After the war, he went on to become a test pilot during a time of major investment and rapid technological development of aircraft in the late 1940s and the 1950s. Flying the Bell X-1, a small experimental rocket-powered aircraft, Yeager became the first human to officially break the sound barrier (exceeding Mach 1), on October 14, 1947. He continued to test pilot a variety of aircraft and set many subsequent aviation records.
Awards & recognition
- California Hall of Fame · 2009
- Officer of the Legion of Honour · 2003
- Aerospace Walk of Honor · 1990
- Presidential Medal of Freedom · 1985
- International Space Hall of Fame · 1981
Show all 30 awards →
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal · 1975
- National Aviation Hall of Fame · 1973
- International Air & Space Hall of Fame · 1966
- Collier Trophy · 1947
- Mackay Trophy · 1947
- Air and Space Longevity Service Award
- Air Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal
- Bronze Star Medal
- Commendation Medal
- Congressional Silver Medal
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
- Harmon Trophy
- Horatio Alger Award
- Legionnaire of Legion of Merit
- Marksmanship Ribbon
- National Defense Service Medal
- Purple Heart
- Silver Star
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
