I got to meet him on a flight line in the UK in 1986. I was in the Air Force and doing some ops checks on an A-10 where he walked up and introduced himself. He was interested in what we were doing and shared about how he started his career working on planes and how he enjoyed getting his hands dirty still. One of the guys I was with asked him about the fastest he ever flew and his whole face lit up as he told us it was in a SR-71. He told us he couldn’t tell us how fast it was, as it was classified. The published speed is Mach 3.25. He explained that there was a stop installed on the throttle that was that speed. He explained that he went past that, and that the plane was glowing orange, and in his words “It was scary fast.” I still chuckle to think what “scary fast” is to someone who such a pioneer at breaking speed records. Absolutely one of my favorite moments from my time in service.
Wow. I knew nothing of this story,Tara. Of course, everyone knows of General Yeager and his high speed testing and his larger than life persona but this puts a whole new perspective of the man. And, he only received a bronze star? Thank you Tara, you provide the most interesting history.
Thank you Tara, for another bit of history I didn't know! I met General Yeager in the early 1990s at Travis AFB California. He and I shared a love of flyfishing (I learned of this of his reading his book). So rather than talk about his flying exploits, we talked about fly-fishing in the lakes and streams of the Sierra Nevada! It was an honor to be in the presence of one of our country's military heros.
I never knew this part of Chuck Yeagers courageous history. How incredible and what an act of heroism to save Pattersons life. That would also be a great story as told by Patterson. Thank you Tara. You just made my morning.
A great story I have never read about in my youth. I tried as an 8 year old all learn about flying and built five WWII aircraft models and hung them on my bedroom ceilings by kite string and thumb tacks.✈️ Chuck Yeager and his breaking the sound barrier was almost as big a hero as Roy Rogers and The Lone Ranger was to me. Again, that’s a story for another day. 🤣🤣🤣
I have never heard about his war service. It seems to me he developed his nerves of steel already at this point. Whst a true American hero. Thanks for another history lesson.
This really should be an MOH story. I too got to meet him. He led a breakout session at an NRA Annual Convention Meeting held in Dallas many years ago. As great of a career he had he remained humble. Humble - another MOH "winner" trait.
I got to meet him on a flight line in the UK in 1986. I was in the Air Force and doing some ops checks on an A-10 where he walked up and introduced himself. He was interested in what we were doing and shared about how he started his career working on planes and how he enjoyed getting his hands dirty still. One of the guys I was with asked him about the fastest he ever flew and his whole face lit up as he told us it was in a SR-71. He told us he couldn’t tell us how fast it was, as it was classified. The published speed is Mach 3.25. He explained that there was a stop installed on the throttle that was that speed. He explained that he went past that, and that the plane was glowing orange, and in his words “It was scary fast.” I still chuckle to think what “scary fast” is to someone who such a pioneer at breaking speed records. Absolutely one of my favorite moments from my time in service.
Awesome 👌 he's one of the reasons I became a private pilot!
What a wonderful encounter and memory.
Wow. I knew nothing of this story,Tara. Of course, everyone knows of General Yeager and his high speed testing and his larger than life persona but this puts a whole new perspective of the man. And, he only received a bronze star? Thank you Tara, you provide the most interesting history.
Every time I read about Chuck Yeager, the bigger and more heroic he becomes.
Nicely said. He just becomes a bigger hero.
Thank you Tara, for another bit of history I didn't know! I met General Yeager in the early 1990s at Travis AFB California. He and I shared a love of flyfishing (I learned of this of his reading his book). So rather than talk about his flying exploits, we talked about fly-fishing in the lakes and streams of the Sierra Nevada! It was an honor to be in the presence of one of our country's military heros.
There is so much we don't know of even our known heroes! Thanks for this bit of history, Tara! Looking forward to the "rest of the story."
I never knew this part of Chuck Yeagers courageous history. How incredible and what an act of heroism to save Pattersons life. That would also be a great story as told by Patterson. Thank you Tara. You just made my morning.
A great story I have never read about in my youth. I tried as an 8 year old all learn about flying and built five WWII aircraft models and hung them on my bedroom ceilings by kite string and thumb tacks.✈️ Chuck Yeager and his breaking the sound barrier was almost as big a hero as Roy Rogers and The Lone Ranger was to me. Again, that’s a story for another day. 🤣🤣🤣
❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I have never heard about his war service. It seems to me he developed his nerves of steel already at this point. Whst a true American hero. Thanks for another history lesson.
Gen. Yeager was awesome!
Wow! That fulfills my reading of adventure for the day! That could be a great movie…
Did not know this about his life. Thanks for sharing this lead-up to the rest of his amazing life.
Thank You, Tara
Chuck Yeager was one of my childhood heroes
🇺🇸 Thanks TR. My dad would tell me of General Yeager's exploits...wish I'd been a better listener. He was quite a man. 🇺🇲
This really should be an MOH story. I too got to meet him. He led a breakout session at an NRA Annual Convention Meeting held in Dallas many years ago. As great of a career he had he remained humble. Humble - another MOH "winner" trait.
What a great story Tara thank you 😊
Good morning Tara Ross!💯🇱🇷🏴☠️❤️