Chuck Yeager was born in 1923. A fighter pilot during World War II, he was a test pilot during the early postwar years. Among other records, he was the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound (1947) and set a world speed record of 1,650 miles per hour (1953). His obvious bravery, technical skill, and unaffected manner have made him the quintessential American hero. He wrote (with Leo Janos) Yeager (1985).

Posted by Contact on Monday September 21, 1998.