Gen. Chuck Yeager Honored

An aviation legend has added another, posthumous honor to his list of kudos, as American Legion Post 111 located in his hometown of Hamlin, West Virginia, will be renamed to the General Charles E. Chuck Yeager American Legion Post. The first man to fly faster than the speed of sound, a fixture of boundary-pushing and flight proficiency, Yeager passed away in December of 2020.

His wife, Victoria, said the dedication was special: “I was in tears; it’s an honor for him and he deserves it. And what’s so cool about it is they’re all so honored. And you know, there’s people that say ‘Oh, why don’t you do a national thing,’ well, it means more to the people of Hamlin than it does to anyone else,” Victoria said.

The dedication ceremony was packed with local vets, political representatives, state dignitaries, and others who saw their lives and community touched by the icon. Vice commander of Post 111, Matthew Burton, described Yeager’s presence in the area. “According to post reports, General Yeager was a member here for 42 years, continuous years. It’s an honor, and I think it is an honor for the people of the community here in Hamlin, people of the state, and actually this nation. A lot of those heroes are gone now, so we want to keep that legacy alive here.” 

The post will complete its name change when the official charter arrives in the next month. The Post members hope it can keep his name alive for future generations. 

“His motto was duty and service, and mine—I didn’t go into the military but service and helping others—and this post does a lot to help the community and that really is in league with General Yeager’s morals and outlook on life as well as mine,” Victoria said.

FMI: www.legion.org