Origins & Early Life

Charles Elwood Yeager ( YAY-gər, February 13, 1923 – December 7, 2020) 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. Yeager was raised in Hamlin, West Virginia. His career began in World War II as a private in the United States Army, assigned to the Army Air Forces in 1941. After serving as an aircraft mechanic, in September 1942, he entered enlisted pilot training and upon graduation was promoted to the rank of flight officer (the World War II Army Air Force version of the Army's warrant officer), later achieving most of his aerial victories as a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot on the Western Front, where he was credited with shooting down 11.5 enemy aircraft (6,5 Bf-109, 4 Fw-190 and 1 Me-262).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The half credit is from a second pilot assisting him in a single shootdown. On October 12, 1944, he attained "ace in a day" status, shooting down five enemy aircraft in one mission. After the war, Yeager became a test pilot and flew many types of aircraft, including experimental rocket-powered aircraft for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Spelling — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• André Gorz — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Austrian-French philosopher known for critiques of work and political ecology.
• Andrés Avelino Cáceres — Contemporary (Died in 1923) (1923): Peruvian general and politician, celebrated national hero for leading resistance.
• Alan Parker — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Armando Manzanero — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Mexican composer and singer, celebrated for defining the romantic sound of postwar Latin America.
• Armen Dzhigarkhanyan — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Renowned Soviet and Armenian actor celebrated for his stage and screen versatility.
• Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah — Shared historical date (02-13 · Died) (1021): Sixth Fatimid Caliph and 16th Ismaili Imam, known for a controversial reign.
• Aung San — Shared historical date (02-13 · Born) (1915): Burmese politician and independence activist, considered the 'Father of the Nation' of Myanmar.
• Aaron Carter — Shared historical date (12-07 · Born) (1987): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi — Shared historical date (12-07 · Born) (903): Influential Persian astronomer known for expanding Ptolemaic models and stellar catalogs.
• 1923 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1923
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• 2020 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2020
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