BREAKING: America’s greatest pilot Chuck Yeager, the first person to break the sound barrier, dies aged 97
- Chuck Yeager’s death was announced on Twitter on Monday night
- Yeager is widely believed to have been among the finest fighter pilots ever
- He fought in the Second World War and shot down at least 11 enemy aircraft
- In 1947 he became the first pilot to exceed the speed of sound in level flight
- Yeager became a test pilot and broke numerous speed and altitude records
- He fought in Vietnam, and eventually retired from the Air Force in 1975
- On the 65th anniversary of breaking the sound barrier Yeager did it again
- At the age of 89 he flew as a passenger in an F-15 in October 2012
- He is survived by four children and his second wife, Victoria
Chuck Yeager died on Monday at the age of 97, his wife Victoria has confirmed.
‘It is w/ profound sorrow, I must tell you that my life love General Chuck Yeager passed just before 9pm ET,’ a message posted on Twitter read.
‘An incredible life well lived, America’s greatest Pilot, & a legacy of strength, adventure, & patriotism will be remembered forever.’
Chuck Yeager has died at the age of 97
Yeager is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest fighter pilots to have ever lived.
He rose to fame in the Second World War, becoming a fighter pilot and shooting down at least 11 enemy aircraft.
In 1947 he became the first pilot confirmed to have broken the speed of sound, in level flight.
He went on to become a test pilot, breaking numerous records for speed and altitude, and then fight in Vietnam.
Yeager retired in 1975, but did not slow down.
On the 65th anniversary of his breaking the speed of sound, he did it again – aged 89, as a passenger in an F-15.