Charles E. (Chuck) Yeager, (1923- ) was born in Myra, West Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and received his pilot wings and appointment as a flight officer in 1943. Yeager distinguished himself in the air war over Europe during WW II, shooting down 13 enemy aircraft and escaping to freedom after being shot down in enemy controlled territory. Following WW II, Yeager remained on active duty and served as an instructor pilot and as a test pilot. In this capacity, he was the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound on October 14, 1947. During the Vietnam War he flew more than 120 combat missions. He served in a variety of command and staff positions throughout his career including Commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School where all military astronauts are trained. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in 1969 and retired from active duty in 1975. The collection was a gift of Brigadier General Yeager and his wife Glennis in 1987, and contains both memorabilia and manuscript materials. The memorabilia includes awards, plaques, medals, sculpture, artwork, and other materials related to the General's career. A portion of the manuscript materials are on display with the artifacts, however the personal papers are closed until after the General's death.
