The first man to break the sound barrier, and the man who most deserved to be an astronaut and get into space. Rest In Peace.
Great memories of playing Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat on my PC when I was a student. Also reading the Right Stuff.
It’s always sad when someone dies. Even if you don’t know them personally you can feel for the people they leave behind. However, Let’s face it, if you do dangerous things in life,no matter how brave you are, it’s inevitable that you’re going to die eventually. Chuck Yeager did dangerous things so we can hardly be surprised at his eventual demise.
RIP Chuck, unbelievable to think the machine he went through the sound barrier in. It wouldn't happen in todays aviation world. A true seat of the pants pilot.
What a life! He has some great interviews with Terry Gross on Fresh Air. I’m sure she’s going to play them this week.
An example of a true hero for a world that uses that word much too often. He was one of the few single-day-aces (met the requirement for ace in a single day), but for two of the planes he downed on that day, he never fired a shot. He lined up behind one Messerschmitt and the pilot was so frightened, he turned into his own wingman, destroying both planes. It’s like a Chuck Norris joke, only it’s true. RIP, sir.
Godspeed, General. Truly a legend of our time. One of my favorite pictures from my collection. Here is a great image of one of Yeager's Rolex GMTs gifted to his good friend astronaut Joe Engle that is now worn by Engle's wife.
I am grateful that my life overlapped with his. An extraordinary person who embodied the very best of what Americans, and people everywhere, should aspire to be. RIP.
I'll be honest, when I first read of his death I found myself wondering what watch he wore. Then I thought about my childhood. I had a half dozen or so Smithsonian Frontiers of Flight VHS about when I was younger. My two favorite ones were the Frontiers of Flight - The Sound Barrier followed second by The Threshold of Space (the X-15). I also had what I guess could be called the companion book, Frontiers of Flight by Jeffery L. Ethell. I don't think I had all of the movies in the series. Strange what certain events make you think about again.