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Chuck Yeager

American World War II flying ace and test pilot; first pilot to fly faster than sound (1923-2020) · United States · On the map · Died at 97

Brigadier General Charles Elwood Yeager was a United States Air Force officer, flying ace, and record-setting test pilot who in October 1947 became the first pilot in history confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight.

Chuck Yeager is read about 1,132 times a day, in 52 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 111 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2020Died7 December 20202009California Hall of FameAward2003Officer of the Legion of HonourAward1990Aerospace Walk of HonorAward1985Presidential Medal of FreedomAward1981International Space Hall of FameAward1975Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAward1973National Aviation Hall of FameAward1966International Air & Space Hall of FameAward1947Collier TrophyAwardMackay TrophyAward1923Born13 February 1923

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Awards

California Hall of Fame2009
Officer of the Legion of Honour2003
Aerospace Walk of Honor1990
Presidential Medal of Freedom1985
International Space Hall of Fame1981
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal1975
National Aviation Hall of Fame1973
International Air & Space Hall of Fame1966
Mackay Trophy1947
Collier Trophy1947
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Legionnaire of Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Silver Star
Harmon Trophy
Horatio Alger Award
World War II Victory Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Congressional Silver Medal
Commendation Medal
American Campaign Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award
Marksmanship Ribbon
Vietnam Campaign Medal

About this person

Country
United States
Type
Other
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1923 to 2020 · aged 97

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