These are just a couple of stories which Brigadier General Chuck Yeager shared with the Dallas Composite Squadron  recently at an aviation lecture sponsored by Rolls Royce and American Airlines' C.R. Smith Museum.  During the course of his presentation, General Yeager told numerous stories about events in which he participated.  Some were humorous, others more serious.

General Yeager signed up for the US

Army Air Corps' "flying sergeant" program in 1941.  He took his flight physical on 3 December 1941, just days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  In 1943, he reported for flight training.  His first few rides were not comfortable for him.  As General Yeager put it, "I puked all over my airplane" and thought to himself, "I signed up for this…."  As fate would have it, he became accustomed to flying and continued to excel as a pilot.  After completing flight training, he was assigned to the 357^th Fighter Squadron in England where he flew the North American P-51 Mustang escorting B-24s and B-17s to and from their targets in Europe.

He was shot down on his eighth mission and evaded capture with the

help of the French Underground.  Policy at the time forbade any down flier from returning to combat, especially in the same theater, as the pilot had information which could harm the Resistance efforts of the Underground.  Then, Lieutenant Yeager was able to convince General Dwight D. Eisenhower to allow him to return to combat.  This had not been done before.  Yeager went on to become a member of the "Double Aces" Club as he scored in excess of ten kills; five in one day.  He also served combat tours in Korea and Vietnam.

On 14 October 1997, exactly 50 years to the day, General Yeager re-created his historic flight.  However, this time he was strapped into the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle.  This flight was to serve several purposes: To commemorate his historic flight, to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the United States Air Force and to bring to a conclusion his 55 years of flying military aircraft.  In all, General Yeager has logged time in more than 600 types of aircraft.  Quite an impressive career. 

We extend our thanks and appreciation to General Yeager as he took time to personally meet with the members of the Dallas Composite Squadron to sign autographs and give some private quality time to the Dallas cadets and seniors.  He was quite impressed with the sharp appearance of the cadets. This is one night we will not forget becuase of the extra attention one aviation hero gave to a local squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.  Thank You General Yeager.