An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Veterans Search

Veterans Alphabetical List

Chuck Yeager

Major General (Ret.) Chuck Yeager is famous for being the first pilot to exceed the speed of Mach 1.  In 1976, he was awarded a Congressional Silver Medal in recognition of having broken the sound barrier in the experimental aircraft Bell X1 in 1947. Yeager enlisted as a Private in the Army Air Forces in 1941 and became an aircraft mechanic. He demonstrated a natural ability as a pilot and received his wings and a promotion to flight officer in 1943. During World War II, he distinguished himself by becoming an Ace by shooting down five enemy aircraft in a single day. After the war, he transitioned into the Air Force to become a test pilot. In 1997, General Yeager ended more than 50 years of flying for the Air Force as an Ace fighter pilot, test pilot, commander and consultant. During a speech after his final flight, he stated, “All that I am … I owe to the Air Force.”

In 2004, Congress voted to authorize President George W. Bush to promote Yeager to the rank of Major General.

VIB Banner