Imagine being in the air, flying an airplane when all of a sudden, you are the first person to break the sound barrier. Well, on October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager was the first person to do this. By doing something like this, I consider him “the fastest hero alive” and one of T.A. Barron’s many types of heroes from The Hero’s Trail.
Chuck Yeager was born on February 13, 1923 in Myra, West Virginia. In his childhood he was often around mechanical technology because his father was a gas driller.
Chuck Yeager wasn’t really interested in flying when he joined the air force; he only enrolled in it because he wanted a change in his life along with a promotion and an increase in pay. On March 5, 1944, while flying over France, his plane was hit. Although he was wounded, Chuck Yeager still avoided the Germans.
On August 29, 1947, Chuck Yeager was on his first mission to break the sound barrier. His speed started at .74 mach. Every time he went in the air his speed was to be increased by .02 mach. He then kept on increasing his speed on every mission until he reached .965 mach on October 14, 1947. The ground crew reported that they heard thunder when it was actually the first sonic boom. After traveling at supersonic speed for about 20 seconds, Chuck Yeager slowed down and landed.
Chuck Yeager is an example of two major heroes, one of which is “a hero to others near and far,” because he succeeded in something no other person had done at the time. Those that had tried before him hadn’t made it, although they got close. When approaching the speed needed, their plane would explode. Chuck Yeager took a huge risk on that day, and succeeded. He can also be classified as a “hero for all time,” because he changed the world! With his help, faster and more efficient military planes were created. This is truly something to be remembered for.
Now when you hear about faster, better planes, you can remember that without the courage of Chuck Yeager, that may not have even happened yet. I hope you both enjoyed hearing and learning about Chuck Yeager, because we may not be where we are today without him.
Page created on 10/14/2005 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 10/14/2005 12:00:00 AM
Onkst, David H. "Chuck Yeager." Chuckyeager.org. 06 Oct. 2005 <- http://www.chuckyeager.org/htm_docs/intrviw.shtml >.
White, Shannon. "Punching a Hole in the Sky." Chuckyeager.com. 06 Oct. 2005