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Flying Chase for Pilot with Hypoxia: From Chuck Yeager’s files

By Victoria Yeager / September 7, 2013

Chuck Yeager: I never lost a pilot while flying chase, but there were many close calls. After I had flown the X-4 research airplane, the Air Force turned it over to NACA, and I flew chase for their pilot. Joe Walker. We were climbing together through 20,000 feet, and was listening to Joe talking with…

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DECLASSIFIED: Gen Chuck Yeager assigned to Clark AFB re Vietnam 1966

By Victoria Yeager / August 31, 2013

Recently declassified from General Chuck Yeager’s copyrighted USAF oral history – assigned to Clark AFB re Vietnam Yeager: I finished up my tour there with the school at Edwards and got a new assignment ot Clark Airbase in the Philippines as Commander of the 405th Fighter Wing. I reckon you would call it a multitype…

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Huntin’ for Bear – 1947

By Victoria Yeager / August 13, 2013

From General Yeager: “Pancho’s was the scene of many a wild night. And it was also the staging area for many great adventures. One of the most memorable was during the sound barrier flights. At 2am on a Saturday night, and a bunch of us were still at the bar, when Russ Schleeh, a great…

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Test Pilot School – 1949 – Will I pass?

By Victoria Yeager / August 2, 2013

General Yeager tells his story: On the way back to Edwards, and to face the “firing squad” at TPS, from France, we stopped off in Madrid. At dinner, I said: “General Boyd-” but he interrupted. “Chuck, we’re after hours now. Call me ‘Al.’” I said….”General Boyd, the two of us can be stuck together on…

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The Hell There Ain’t….

By Victoria Yeager / July 10, 2013

General Yeager told me this story July 10, 2013: Jack Ridley was itching to fly the X-1 after we succeeded in breaking the sound barrier. Finally, when he got his chance, he asked if I would fly chase. Almost every flight in the X-1 had an issue from electricity going out, to no radio, to…

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“Chuck, I can’t see in here!”

By Victoria Yeager / July 10, 2013

General Yeager: I never lost a pilot while flying chase, but there were many close calls. From Carl Bellinger: Flying chase was an art that not many test pilots bothered to perfect. There’s no glory flying chase – no goal assist, no brownie points. But a skilled and dedicated chase pilot often meant the difference…

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Yeager Will Get it (P-80) Back (in one piece)

By Victoria Yeager / June 11, 2013

I wasn’t so thrilled when I was shot down to say the least, but because I survived and was an evadee,  after the war, I got my pick of airbases. I chose Wright Field in Dayton, OH because it was the closest to home, Hamlin, West Virginia. There was an opening as Maintenance Officer in…

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Capt Chuck Yeager Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross 1949

By Victoria Yeager / July 23, 2011

Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded for actions during the Cold 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 Captain Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United…

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Chuck Yeager – Air Force Distinguished Service Medal 1953

By Victoria Yeager / July 23, 2011

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Awarded for actions during the Cold War 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…

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