[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28057]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES ELWOOD ``CHUCK'' YEAGER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2007

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Major General 
Charles Elwood ``Chuck'' Yeager and the 60th Anniversary of breaking 
the ``Sound Barrier.'' Both the accomplishment and the man responsible 
for it serve as lessons in what we can achieve as a nation.
  In 1947, when young Captain Yeager raced across the sky faster than 
the speed of sound, the United States was still new to its role as a 
world power. The sound barrier represented a principle of nature. By 
breaking it, Yeager showed the world America's endless potential for 
innovation.
  Yeager's early life prepared him well to become a fighter pilot. Born 
in Boone County, West Virginia, he grew up hunting and working in his 
father's repair shop. These skills later served him well as a pilot. At 
the tender age of 18, Yeager enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
  Yeager served as a pilot in England during World War II. On one 
mission, he was shot down over France. Showing remarkable resilience he 
evaded capture and returned to Britain to fly. Yeager was never shot 
down again. He finished the war as a Captain, totaling 12\1/2\ kills, 
including an impressive five in one day.
  After the war, he became a test pilot in the Air Corps' Research and 
Development Program. On October 14, 1947 he was given a chance to break 
the sound barrier in an X-1 rocket powered jet.
  Yeager's flight has grown into legend over the years due in large 
part to breaking his ribs just days before the flight. Hiding his 
injuries from his superiors, he needed a rigged broom handle just to 
close the plane's hatch. Despite the pain, Yeager flew into history, 
reaching March 1.6, a speed of 700 miles per hour.
  It was 6 months before the public was informed of Yeager's 
achievement. He nonetheless became a hero and was labeled the ``fastest 
man alive.'' It was a name he did his best to live up to, continuing to 
fly faster and higher than anyone. Over the course of his career Yeager 
rose through the ranks, commanding fighter bombing squadrons during the 
Korean and Vietnam wars and mentoring up and coming pilots at the 
Aerospace and Research Pilot School.
  Chuck Yeager's life of service is a model for all Americans and by 
breaking the sound barrier he inspired the next generation of heroes to 
grand achievements of their own, including: the space program and the 
Moon landing.
  Just as was the case in 1947, our Nation today continues to face 
unprecedented challenges, but we should find strength from this moment 
in history and from heroes like Chuck Yeager that our nation will 
continue to break new barriers and reach new heights.

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