Yeager, Chuck (Charles Elwood Yeager), 1923-, American aviator. A fighter pilot during World War II, he was a test pilot during the early postwar years. Among other records, he was the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound (1947) and set a world speed record of 1,650 mph (1953). His obvious bravery, technical skill, and unaffected manner have made him the quintessential American hero. He wrote his autobiography, Yeager (with Leo Janos, 1985).

orig. Charles Elwood Yeager

(born Feb. 13, 1923, Myra, W.Va., U.S.) U.S. test pilot. He served as a fighter pilot in World War II and became a flight instructor and test pilot after the war. Chosen to test-fly the secret experimental X-1 aircraft, on Oct. 14, 1947, he became the first person to break the sound barrier in flight, which was approximately 662 mph (1,066 km/hr) at an altitude of 40,000 ft (12,000 m). A brash and colourful personality, he retired with the rank of brigadier general in 1975 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985.

Learn more about Yeager, Chuck with a free trial on Britannica.com.

orig. Charles Elwood Yeager

(born Feb. 13, 1923, Myra, W.Va., U.S.) U.S. test pilot. He served as a fighter pilot in World War II and became a flight instructor and test pilot after the war. Chosen to test-fly the secret experimental X-1 aircraft, on Oct. 14, 1947, he became the first person to break the sound barrier in flight, which was approximately 662 mph (1,066 km/hr) at an altitude of 40,000 ft (12,000 m). A brash and colourful personality, he retired with the rank of brigadier general in 1975 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985.

Learn more about Yeager, Chuck with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Yeager is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 67 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Yeager is located at (35.157355, -96.340218).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 67 people, 27 households, and 16 families residing in the town. The population density was 355.5 people per square mile (136.2/km²). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 180.4/sq mi (69.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 56.72% White, 32.84% Native American, and 10.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.

There were 27 households out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the town the population was spread out with 16.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 34.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $13,125, and the median income for a family was $16,250. Males had a median income of $12,500 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $6,438. There were 15.4% of families and 26.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 44.4% of under eighteens and 14.3% of those over 64.

References

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