Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Charles
Elwood
Yeager
1923-02-13

–

2020-12-07

Born:

Myra

, 

West Virginia

Home:

Hamlin

, 

West Virginia

Cemetery:

Cremated

Charles “Chuck” Yeager became a World War II DOUBLE ACE, credited with downing 13 enemy aircraft and was himself shot down but escaped capture. As a test pilot during the post-war years, in 1947 he became the FIRST man to fly faster than the speed of sound. He retired in 1975 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    363d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 20 (February 2, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHT Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Yeager, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    March 1973 – March 1975

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating Director, Air Force Inspection and Safety Center, Norton Air Force Base, California, from March 1973 to March 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Yeager culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    363d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 28 (February 19, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHT Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Yeager, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Yeager and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Yeager and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    October 14, 1947

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a test pilot on 14 October 1947. Captain Yeager, piloting the XS-1, became the first man on record to fly a plane faster than the speed of sound. This accomplishment of this mission, which required superior professional ability, coolness and determined courage by Captain Yeager, was a contribution to the advancement of aeronautical science and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    363d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    December 12, 1953
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 20 (April 30, 1954)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) to Major Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while participating in aerial flight. On 12 December 1953, Major Yeager piloted the United States Air Force experimental rocket-powered X-1A aircraft to a speed of more than 1,800 miles per hour. This climactic flight enabled the aircraft industry to take giant strides in the field of supersonic flight and assisted in making it possible for the Air Force to place supersonic fighters in victorious combat. The courage, skill and knowledge displayed by Major Yeager during the long period of preparation for this exploration of the then unknown were emphasized by the obstacles which he overcame during the flight. The skill and daring he displayed in performing this act resulted in many millions of dollars saved by the United States Government and secured invaluable information for science. Major Yeager’s outstanding flying ability, technical skill and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.