Yeager's Life of 97 Years Is Without Parallel

The tweet was characteristically short... but spoke volumes, from Mrs. Yeager, @VictoriaYeage11, 'It is w/ profound sorrow, I must tell you that my life love General Chuck Yeager passed just before 9pm ET. An incredible life well lived, America’s greatest Pilot, & a legacy of strength, adventure, & patriotism will be remembered forever.'

The first man to break through Mach One, a WWII fighter pilot, and a symbol to millions around the world, Yeager's legend was a remarkable piece of American history. He passed away Monday evening, 12.07.20.

NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine noted that, "Today's passing of Gen. Chuck Yeager is a tremendous loss to our nation. Gen. Yeager's pioneering and innovative spirit advanced America's abilities in the sky and set our nation's dreams soaring into the jet age and the space age. He said, 'You don't concentrate on risks. You concentrate on results. No risk is too great to prevent the necessary job from getting done.'

"Among many firsts in more than 60 years in aviation, Chuck was the first man to fly at the speed of sound, and his achievements rival any of our greatest firsts in space. Not content to rest on his laurels, he went on to break his own record and travel at Mach 2.44. But even before that he was serving his country heroically in World War II. Long after he became a legend in his own time, he continued to serve his country through the military and later in his ongoing work to test new aircraft.

"Chuck's bravery and accomplishments are a testament to the enduring strength that made him a true American original, and NASA's Aeronautics work owes much to his brilliant contributions to aerospace science. As a young naval aviator, I was one of many around the world who looked up to Chuck Yeager and his amazing feats as a test pilot. His path blazed a trail for anyone who wanted to push the limits of human potential, and his achievements will guide us for generations to come."

ANN E-I-C Note: Even before I became good friends with Bob Hoover, I met General Yeager for the first time as part of a magazine assignment nearly 40 years ago. Despite his stern rep, he and I always pretty much got along, and the opportunities we had to work and fly together were always dynamic events that kept me challenged -- especially the time we got stuck orbiting Oshkosh waiting for the runway to clear after an incident -- what a chat session that turned out to be! I have a number of interesting memories that I'll discuss at a later date, but one of the most unique was a pub gathering with Hoover, Yeager and a host of other pilots and veterans in which all gloves were off, the laughter was raucous, the stories came fast and furious, and for a few hours I had the chance to be part of the gang and shared in their comradery. Godspeed, General... give our best to Bob -- Jim Campbell, ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief

FMI: www.chuckyeager.com