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Chuck Yeager passes away at 97
Just read an article in the paper about Chuck Yeager passing away on Tuesday at age 97
First man to break the sound barrier in 1947 ( Mach 1 or 770mph ) in his Bell X1 rocket plane
Decorated World War 2 fighter pilot and test pilot
Lead the way for other test pilots to achieve high speed and altitude records in jet aircraft during the 1950’s and early 60’s.
Was a member of the review committee for the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster
Depicted by Sam Shepard in the movie “ The Right Stuff ” ( not a fan of this movie ) Tom Wolfe’s book was a more interesting and accurate historical account of the start of the “Space Race”
Elevated to Major General in 2005 by President Bush
Co piloted an F15 jet at age 89 , the oldest person to do so
Many said he set the pathway for Neil Armstrong to eventually walk on the moon
One of the great post war American Aviators
RIP Chuck Yeager
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