Posted on 12/07/2020 11:44:14 PM PST by nickcarraway
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles "Chuck" Yeager, the World War II fighter pilot ace and quintessential test pilot who showed he had the "right stuff" when in 1947 he became the first person to fly faster than sound, has died. He was 97.
Yeager died Monday, his wife, Victoria Yeager, said on his Twitter account. "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."
Yeager's death is "a tremendous loss to our nation," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement.
I think one of the local tributes (he lived nearby) really speaks to how he lived his life...
Sad indeed. A sweet story about him. Working at Williams Ranch Elementary school years ago we had an aide named Pricilla. She Had been the crossing guard for 35 years, cheering up the kids as well as drivers with her enthusiasm and affinity for crazy hats. Hearing of her impending retirement, Chuck stopped by the school with flowers and a photo with her to thank her for making him smile everyday.
And old, bold pilot. Fly high, Chuck.
He’s got out in the nick of time, considering what is coming.
I seriously doubt he would have thrown in the towel on America so easily. We’ll somehow get through this Biden-Harris nightmare.
I knew him personally. Nice gentleman.
RIP
There are old bold pilots.
RIP Chuck.
What “nightmare”?! Quitter
Point well taken. What I meant was this whole bogus election mess we're going through now and its potential aftermath.
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Re: I seriously doubt he would have thrown in the towel on America so easily. We’ll somehow get through this Biden-Harris nightmare.
got any Beemen’s?
Yeager had the right stuff.
Makes me feel ashamed when I look at my life and ask myself “what have I done with my time?”
He would have been a hero simply because of his WW WII exploits.
I saw him talk at our Air Force base back in the 90s. My flying squadron was there. We had several female pilots, and Chuck certainly noticed them. He had an "eye" for women, shall we say.
We had two female pilots that were particularly good looking, and they sat in the front row. At one point during his talk, Yeager looked at them and said:
"Nah, this next thing I'm gunna say is all about engineering, soh you pretty gurls can jus cover yur ears 'cause only ugly gurls understand it."
I guess it was his way of giving them a compliment. But it was funny - he sure wasn't Politically Correct.
Yeager was an NRA life member.
I'm sure, if he were able, he'd be in the thick of the fight for freedom.
I met him on an elk hunt in Wyoming some years ago. For all his greatness, he was willing to sit down and talk hunt with me, an average man.
Over the course of the week, we talked of many things: his military career, his test pilot experiences, and others.
It was an honor to meet him.
Somehow, it is fitting that his last day was Pearl Harbor Day.
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