October 13, 1947

The next day, Yeager went to the local vet in town. If he had gone to the flight surgeon, the flight surgeon would have grounded Yeager.

Yeager had broken his ribs on his right side and his right shoulder. The vet wrapped him up and said, "And don't do nothin' strenuous."

Yeager told Ridley, he wouldn't be able to close the hatch after he got into the X-1 so Ridley cut off a broom and gave Yeager the stick to close it with his left hand. They tried it. It worked!