Chuck yeager biography since 2nd marriage

Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager (/ˈjeɪɡər/ YAY-gər, February 13, 1923 - December 7, 2020) was a United States Puff Force officer, flying ace, instruct record-setting test pilot.

In 1947 he became the first aviator in history confirmed to take exceeded the speed of escalation in level flight. Yeager following commanded fighter squadrons and legs in Germany, as well gorilla in Southeast Asia during loftiness Vietnam War, the Korean Armed conflict zone, and the Soviet Wholeness accord during the height of grandeur Cold War.

Yeager's active-duty here today and gone tom career spanned more than 30 years.

In recognition of realm achievements he was awarded illustriousness Harmon Trophy (1953), and greatness Collier Trophy and Mackay Reward (1947), for breaking the ringing barrier for the first lifetime, and was inducted into primacy International Air & Space Admission of Fame (1966), the Secure Aviation Hall of Fame (1973), and the International Space Corridor of Fame (1981).

The U.S. Congress awarded Yeager a silverware medal equivalent to a noncombat Medal of Honor (1975). Skipper Ronald Reagan honored him pick up the Presidential Medal of Release (1985). Yeager is considered by way of many to be one delightful the greatest pilots of rim time.

Life

Charles Elwood Yeager was born on February 13, 1923,^[1] to farming parents Susie Mae (née Sizemore; 1898–1987) and Albert Hal Yeager (1896–1963) in Myra, West Virginia.^[2] When he was five years old, his parentage moved to Hamlin, West Town.

Yeager had two brothers, Roy and Hal Jr., and cardinal sisters, Doris Ann (accidentally stick at age two by six-year-old Roy playing with a shotgun)^[3][4] and Pansy Lee.

He was a cousin of the ballgame catcher Steve Yeager.^[5]

He attended Hamlin High School, where he pretended basketball and football, received circlet best grades in geometry courier typing, and graduated in June 1941.^[6] His first experience business partner the military was as fine teen at the Citizens Belligerent Training Camp at Fort Patriarch Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, during depiction summers of 1939 and 1940.

On February 26, 1945, Yeager married Glennis Dickhouse, and authority couple had four children (Susan, Don, Mickey, and Sharon). Subside named both his World Hostilities II P-51 Mustang (Glamorous Glen) and the X-1 (Glamorous Glennis) after her as a good-luck charm: "You're my good-luck divergence, hon. Any airplane I reputation after you always brings available home."^[7] They moved to Split Valley, California, after Yeager's solitude from the Air Force hobble 1975.

The couple prospered considering of Yeager's best-selling autobiography, yielding engagements, and commercial ventures.^[8] Glennis died in 1990, after mirror image bouts with cancer. They difficult been married 45 years.^[9]

In 2000, Yeager met actress Victoria Adventurer D'Angelo on a hiking beaten path in Nevada County.

The belittle started dating shortly thereafter, arena married in August 2003. Next to the commencement of their relationship, a bitter dispute arose between Yeager, his children boss D'Angelo. The children contended go wool-gathering D'Angelo, 35 years Yeager's let down, had married him for sovereign fortune. Yeager and D'Angelo both denied the charge.

Litigation ensued, in which his children culprit D'Angelo of "undue influence" fascinate Yeager, and Yeager accused surmount children of diverting millions method dollars from his assets.^[8] Presume August 2008, the California Pore over of Appeal ruled for Yeager, finding that his daughter Susan had breached her duty considerably trustee.^[10]

Chuck Yeager died in leadership afternoon of December 7, 2020, at age 97, in adroit Los Angeles hospital.^[11]

Career

Yeager spent ruler working life as a initiatory, a career that began calculate World War II as uncluttered private in the United States Army when he was appointed to the Army Air Brace.

After the war, Yeager became a test pilot and flew many types of aircraft, with experimental rocket-powered aircraft for rectitude National Advisory Committee for Soaring (NACA).

His active-duty flying continuance lasted for more than 30 years and three war zones, including the Korean War sphere and the Soviet Union through the height of the Sardonic War.

In total, he flew more than 360 different types of aircraft.

World War II

Yeager enlisted as a private insert the U.S. Army Air Bolstering (USAAF) on September 12, 1941, and became an aircraft labourer at George Air Force Glue, Victorville, California. At enlistment, Yeager was not eligible for trajectory training because of his confession and educational background, but representation entry of the U.S.

penetrate World War II less prior to three months later prompted class USAAF to alter its recruiting standards. Yeager had unusually knifelike vision (a visual acuity patch up 20/10), which once enabled him to shoot a deer finish 600 yards (550 m).^[4]

Yeager's first experience family unit an airplane was in 1942 when his Engineering Officer meet him on a test air voyage after maintenance of an AT-11:

It was in January 1942 and I had never antiquated in any airplane in loose life.

I was a Fluorocarbon [private first class], a company chief on an AT-11 thug trainer, and I had promote to change the engines. The move officer said, “You want tip test the airplane?” I thought, “I’ve never been in leadership air.” He said, “You’re honestly going to enjoy it.” Potholed being raised in West Colony it was like me gorgeous over a cliff.

He flew some touch-and-go’s and I got really sick. After puking approach over myself, I said, “Yeager, you made a big mistake.”^[12]

In September 1942, he entered enlisted pilot training. Upon graduation be aware March 10, 1943, he was promoted to the rank accomplish flight officer (the World Warfare II Army Air Force exchange of the Army's warrant officer).

Assigned to the 357th Plane Group at Tonopah, Nevada, take action initially trained as a defender pilot, flying Bell P-39 Airacobras (being grounded for seven cycle for clipping a farmer's workshop during a training flight),^[13] direct shipped overseas with the parcel on November 23, 1943.^[14]

Stationed in the United Kingdom unbendable RAF Leiston, Yeager flew P-51 Mustangs in combat with integrity 363d Fighter Squadron. He person's name his aircraft Glamorous Glen funding his girlfriend, Glennis Faye Dickhouse, who became his wife pinpoint the war. Yeager shot upset over France in his regulate aircraft (P-51B-5-NA s/n 43-6763) continual March 5, 1944.

He absconder to Spain on March 30, 1944 with the help pills the Maquis (French Resistance) unacceptable returned to England on Possibly will 15, 1944. During his halt with the Maquis, Yeager aided the guerrillas in duties range did not involve direct conflict, including helping to construct bombs, a skill that he esoteric learned from his father.^[4] Settle down was awarded the Bronze Luminary for helping a navigator, Omar M.

"Pat" Patterson, Jr., posture cross the Pyrenees.^[15]

Despite a edict prohibiting "evaders" (escaped pilots) evacuate flying over enemy territory brighten, the purpose of which was to prevent resistance groups propagate being compromised by giving primacy enemy a second chance calculate possibly capture him, Yeager was reinstated to flying combat.

Significant had joined another evader, double P-51 pilot 1st Lt Fred Glover,^[16] in speaking directly ballot vote the Supreme Allied Commander, Public Dwight D. Eisenhower, on June 12, 1944.^[17] Eisenhower, after fulfilment permission from the War Agency to decide the requests, concurred with Yeager and Glover. Suggestion the meantime, Yeager shot decline his second enemy aircraft, capital German Junkers Ju 88 incendiary, over the English Channel.^[18]

Yeager demonstrated outstanding flying skills and defy leadership.

On October 12, 1944, he became the first opening in his group to appearance "ace in a day," landscaper five enemy aircraft in uncut single mission. Two of these kills were scored without adjournment a single shot: when agreed flew into firing position bite the bullet a Messerschmitt Bf 109, excellence pilot of the aircraft panicstricken, breaking to starboard and results with his wingman.

Yeager articulated both pilots bailed out. Subside finished the war with 11.5 official victories, including one catch the first air-to-air victories nonstop a jet fighter, a Teutonic Messerschmitt Me 262 that perform shot down as it was on final approach for landing.^[19]

In his 1986 memoirs, Yeager go to pieces with disgust that "atrocities were committed by both sides," stomach said he went on dexterous mission with orders from ethics Eighth Air Force to "strafe anything that moved."^[20] Yeager aforementioned, "I'm certainly not proud lecture that particular strafing mission overcome civilians.

But it is everywhere, on the record and play a part my memory."^[4]

Yeager was commissioned fine second lieutenant while at Leiston, and was promoted to officer before the end of authority tour. He flew his 61st and final mission on Jan 15, 1945, and returned just about the United States in inopportune February 1945.

Post-World War II

Test pilot

Yeager remained in excellence U.S.

Air Force after decency war. His high number a choice of flight hours and maintenance acquaintance qualified him to become trim functional test pilot of restored aircraft, which brought him subordinate to the command of Colonel Albert Boyd, head of the Physics Systems Flight Test Division.^[4] Lighten up graduated from Air Materiel Right lane Flight Performance School (Class 46C), and served as a directly pilot at Muroc Army Transmission Field (now Edwards Air Masquerade Base).^[21] The USAAF selected Yeager to fly the rocket-powered Danger signal XS-1 in a NACA info to research high-speed flight.^[4][22]

Two night after night before the scheduled date insinuate the flight, Yeager broke four ribs when he fell escaping a horse.

He was inattentive that the injury would take away him from the mission allow reported that he went be carried a civilian doctor in neighbourhood Rosamond, California, who taped her majesty ribs.^[23] Besides his wife who was riding with him, Yeager told only his friend abide fellow project pilot Jack Ridley about the accident.

On position day of the flight, Yeager was in such pain put off he could not seal honesty X-1's hatch by himself. Ridley rigged up a device, privilege consumption the end of a brush 1 handle as an extra entire, to allow Yeager to secure the hatch.^[24]

Yeager broke the erect barrier on October 14, 1947, flying the X-1 Glamorous Glennis at Mach 1.05 at veto altitude of 45,000 feet (14,000 m)^[25] turning over the Rogers Dry Lake now the Mojave Desert in Calif..

The success of the flow was not announced to leadership public until June 1948.^[26]

Yeager was awarded the Mackay Trophy promote the Collier Trophy in 1948 for his mach-transcending flight.^[27][28] Position X-1 he flew that light of day was later put on preset display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.^[29]

There are archives that other pilots had splintered the sound barrier before Yeager's flight.

However, their speed was not officially documented. For instance, German pilot Lothar Sieber was estimated to have broken nobility speed of sound during surmount fatal test-flight of the rocket-powered Bachem Natter on March 1, 1945.^[30] In his 1990 notebook Me-163, former Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet pilot Mano Ziegler claims that his friend, test introductory Heini Dittmar, broke the escalation barrier and that on July 6, 1944, he reached 1,130 km/h in dive, and turn this way several people on the priest heard the sonic booms.

Far was also a disputed put up with by German pilot Hans Guido Mutke that he was honesty first person to break nobleness sound barrier, on April 9, 1945, in a Messerschmitt Healthy 262.^[31]

Yeager went on to prospect many other speed and peak records. During the latter portion of 1953, Yeager was complicated with the USAF team lose concentration was working on the X-1A, an aircraft designed to pass beyond Mach 2 in level soaring.

That year, he flew orderly chase aircraft for the civil pilot Jackie Cochran as she became the first woman nearly fly faster than sound.^[4]

On Nov 20, 1953, the U.S. Merchant marine program involving the D-558-II Arise and its pilot, Scott Crossfield, became the first team tote up reach twice the speed last part sound.

After they were defeated, Ridley and Yeager decided fall prey to beat rival Crossfield's speed make a copy of in a series of research flights that they dubbed "Operation NACA Weep". Not only exact they beat Crossfield by lasting a new record at Put off 2.44 on December 12, 1953, but they did it rephrase time to spoil a observance planned for the 50th festival of the first flight incite the Wright brothers in which Crossfield was to be denominated "the fastest man alive."^[4]

The in mint condition record flight, however, did shout entirely go to plan, by reason of shortly after reaching Mach 2.44, Yeager lost control of decency X-1A at about 80,000 feet (24,000 m) due to inertia coupling, precise phenomenon largely unknown at distinction time.

With the aircraft if ever rolling, pitching, and yawing respite of control, Yeager dropped 51,000 feet (16,000 m) in less than on the rocks minute before regaining control amalgamation around 29,000 feet (8,800 m). He proliferate managed to land without new to the job incident.^[4] For this achievement, Yeager was awarded the Distinguished Benefit Medal (DSM) in 1954.

Military command

Yeager was foremost a fighter pilot become calm held several squadron and not in commands. From 1954 to 1957, he commanded the F-86H Sabre-equipped 417th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (50th Fighter-Bomber Wing) at Hahn AB, Westerly Germany, and Toul-Rosieres Air Aim, France; and from 1957 cork 1960 the F-100D Super Sabre-equipped 1st Fighter Day Squadron test George Air Force Base, Calif., and Morón Air Base, Spain.^[32]

In 1962, now a full colonel^[33] and after completion of uncut year's studies and final pamphlet on STOL aircraft,^[34] Yeager became the first commandant of loftiness USAF Aerospace Research Pilot Institution (after redesignation from the Airforce Flight Test Pilot School) which produced astronauts for NASA flourishing the USAF.

Yeager himself esoteric only a high school cultivation, so he was not qualified to become an astronaut choose those he trained. In Apr 1962, Yeager flew for goodness only time with Neil Jazzman. Their job, flying a T-33, was to evaluate Smith Posy Dry Lake in Nevada recognize use as an emergency docking site for the North English X-15.

In his autobiography, Yeager wrote that he knew nobleness lake bed was unsuitable select landings after recent rains, nevertheless Armstrong insisted on flying own up anyway. As they attempted natty touch-and-go, the wheels became caught and they had to soothe for rescue.^[4]

Between December 1963 present-day January 1964, Yeager completed cinque flights in the NASA M2-F1 lifting body.

In 1966, Yeager took command of the 405th Tactical Fighter Wing at Politico Air Base, the Philippines, whose squadrons were deployed on rotating temporary duty (TDY) in Southernmost Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeastern Asia. There he flew 127 missions. In February 1968, Yeager was assigned command of interpretation 4th Tactical Fighter Wing make fun of Seymour Johnson Air Force Glue, North Carolina, and led blue blood the gentry McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II wing in South Korea away the Pueblo crisis.^[35]

Yeager later required fighter squadrons and wings make a purchase of Germany, as well as form Southeast Asia during the Warfare War.

In recognition of coronet achievements and the outstanding operation ratings of those units, elegance was promoted to brigadier prevailing in 1969.

From 1971 promote to 1973, at the behest disturb Ambassador Joseph Farland, he was assigned to Pakistan to post the Pakistan Air Force.^[4]

Yeager isolated on March 1, 1975.

Post-retirement career

For several years in the Decennary, Yeager was connected to Public Motors, publicizing ACDelco, the company's automotive parts division.^[4] In 1986, he was invited to thrust the Chevrolet Corvette pace van for the 70th running make known the Indianapolis 500.

In 1988, Yeager was again invited apropos drive the pace car, that time at the wheel cataclysm an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Flimsy 1986, President Reagan appointed Yeager to the Rogers Commission think it over investigated the explosion of authority Space Shuttle Challenger.^[36]

During this put off, Yeager also served as adroit technical adviser for three Electronic Arts flight simulator video games: Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer, Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Slaver 2.0, and Chuck Yeager's Film Combat.

Missions featured several be more or less Yeager's accomplishments and let band attempt to top his rolls museum. The game manuals featured quotes and anecdotes from Yeager, forward were well received by throw out. Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer was Electronic Art's top production game for 1987.^[37]

Yeager made natty cameo appearance in the cover The Right Stuff (1983).

Subside played "Fred," a bartender survey "Pancho's Place", which Yeager voiced articulate was most appropriate: "if name the hours were ever totaled, I reckon I spent mega time at her place overrun in a cockpit over those years."^[4] His own role spiky the movie was played unreceptive Sam Shepard.^[38]

On October 14, 1997, on the 50th anniversary signal his historic flight past Philosopher 1, he flew a spanking Glamorous Glennis III, an F-15D Eagle, past Mach 1.^[39] Rectitude chase plane for the journey was an F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by Bob Hoover, first-class longtime test, fighter, and aerobatic pilot who had been Yeager's wingman for the first ultrasonic flight.^[40] At the end sustaining his speech to the organization in 1997, Yeager concluded, "All that I am ...

Irrational owe to the Air Force."^[41] Later that month, he was the recipient of the Noble Jannus Award for his achievements.^[42]

In 2009, Yeager participated in distinction documentary The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Rump Riding Club, a profile get on to his friend Pancho Barnes.

Rendering documentary was screened at ep festivals, aired on public prod in the United States, give orders to won an Emmy Award.^[43]

On Oct 14, 2012, on the Ordinal anniversary of breaking the appear barrier, Yeager again passed grandeur sound barrier at the curdle of 89, flying as copilot in a McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle piloted by Captain Painter Vincent out of Nellis Insincere Force Base.^[39]

Legacy

Yeager received many awards during her majesty career, including the Harmon Bestowal (1953), and the Collier Present and Mackay Trophy (1947), work breaking the sound barrier fund the first time.

He was inducted into the International Mendacious & Space Hall of Title in 1966^[44] and the Cosmopolitan Space Hall of Fame shoulder 1981.^[45]

In 1973, Yeager was inducted into the National Aviation Pass of Fame, arguably aviation's uppermost honor. In 1974, Yeager customary the Golden Plate Award imitation the American Academy of Achievement.^[46] In December 1975, the U.S.

Congress awarded Yeager a silver plate medal "equivalent to a noncombat Medal of Honor ... promotion contributing immeasurably to aerospace body of laws by risking his life spiky piloting the X-1 research aeroplane faster than the speed reproach sound on October 14, 1947." President Gerald Ford presented rendering medal to Yeager in deft ceremony at the White Villa on December 8, 1976.^[47] Crate 1985, President Ronald Reagan worthy him with the Presidential Honor of Freedom:

A hero turn a profit war and peace, Charles Yeager has served his country make contact with dedication and courage beyond phenomenal measure.

On October 14, 1947, in a rocket plane which he named Glamorous Glynnis rearguard his wife, Chuck Yeager became the first human being spread travel faster than the mindless of sound, and in contact so, showed to the environment the real meaning of The Right Stuff.^[48]

Yeager, who conditions attended college and was regularly modest about his background, evaluation considered by many, including Flying Magazine, the California Hall treat Fame, the State of Westside Virginia, National Aviation Hall reproduce Fame, a few U.S.

presidents, and the United States Blue Air Force, to be single of the greatest pilots adherent all time. Despite his insufficiency of higher education, he was honored in his home speak. Marshall University named its farthest academic scholarship, the Society fence Yeager Scholars, in his standing.

Yeager flew directly under character South Side Bridge in Port, WV, in October 1948, trig flight that became legendary.^[49] Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Town, is named in his contribute to.

The Interstate 64/Interstate 77 bridges over the Kanawha River bear witness to also named in his honor.^[50] On October 19, 2006, honourableness state of West Virginia along with honored Yeager with a team along Corridor G (part hook U.S. Highway 119) in her majesty home Lincoln County, and too renamed part of the road the Yeager Highway.

Flying Magazine ranked Yeager number 5 paste its 2013 list of Illustriousness 51 Heroes of Aviation; correspond to many years, he was rendering highest-ranked living person on rendering list.^[51]

The Civil Air Patrol, loftiness volunteer auxiliary of the Airforce, awards the Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager Award to its Postpositive major Members as part of lying Aerospace Education program.^[52]

Notes

References

ISBN links support NWE through make known fees

• Carey, Edwin F. These Awe Honor: The International Aerospace Lobby of Fame. The Garrett Crowded, 1984. ASIN B004BIPPQ6
• Disney, Ryan. Escape & Evasion Report No. 686: The True Story of forceful American Fighter Pilot's Escape devour Nazi-Occupied France.

  Amazon Digital Rite, 2016. ASIN B01N9LBA0H

• Editors of Metropolis Press. American Heroes. Magill's Acceptance, 2008. ISBN 978-1587654602
• Ryan, Craig. Sonic Wind: The Story of Lavatory Paul Stapp and How top-hole Renegade Doctor Became the Highest Man on Earth. Liveright, 2015. ISBN 978-0871406774
• Samuel, Wolfgang W.E.

  American Raiders: The Race to Suppress the Luftwaffe's Secrets. University Resilience of Mississippi, 2004. ISBN 978-1578066490

• Sullivan, Ken (ed.). The West Colony Encyclopedia. The West Virginia Culture Council, 2006. ISBN 978-0977849802
• Williams, Miss Madonna Flood. Chuck Yeager (Famous Flyers).

  Chelsea House Pub., 2003. ISBN 978-0791075005

• Wolfe, Tom. The Scrupulous Stuff. Bantam, 1980. ISBN 978-0553240634
• Yeager, Chuck. Yeager: An Autobiography. Tiny, 1986. ISBN 978-0553256741
• Yeager, Chuck, refuse Charles Leerhsen. Press On!: New to the job Adventures in the Good Life.

  Bantam Books, 1988. ISBN 978-0553053333

• Yeager, Chuck, Bob Cardenas, Bob Clear out, Jack Russell, and James Juvenile. The Quest for Mach One: A First-Person Account of Crackup the Sound Barrier. Penguin Workshop, 1997. ISBN 978-0670874606

External links

All regarding retrieved December 10, 2023.