Members of West Virginia's congressional delegation have requested the U.S. Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, to issue a commemorative stamp honoring the late Chuck Yeager.
Yeager, a renowned pilot and West Virginia native, passed away three years ago on Thursday. According to the eligibility criteria for a stamp, it can only be issued three years after the person's death. The letter to the Postmaster General was signed by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Representatives Alex Mooney and Carol Miller, and Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
The letter describes Yeager as an "American hero and a legendary figure in the history of aviation" and emphasizes that his historic achievements in service to the nation deserve celebration and recognition through a commemorative stamp. It highlights Yeager's remarkable career, which involved fighting for the country in two wars, accumulating over 10,131.6 flight hours in 361 different types of military aircraft, and serving as the first commander of the Aerospace Research Pilot School, where he mentored a new generation of aviators.
Yeager's journey in aviation began after enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Forces as an aircraft mechanic following his graduation from Hamlin High School in 1941. Due to his exceptional vision and the U.S.'s entry into World War II, Yeager was given the opportunity to undergo flight training. While stationed in England, he flew P-51 Mustangs and was shot down over France during his eighth mission. However, he managed to escape and continue flying. Notably, on October 12, 1944, Yeager downed five enemy aircraft in a single mission and was credited with shooting down at least 12 German planes by the end of the war. Overall, Yeager completed 64 combat missions.
Following World War II, Yeager remained in the military and became a test pilot at what is now known as Edwards Air Force Base. He was chosen to fly the Bell XS-1, a rocket-powered aircraft, for high-speed flight research. Prior to the scheduled flight, Yeager fell from a horse and broke two ribs. Concerned about the mission being canceled, he had his ribs taped by a civilian doctor and proceeded with the flight. On October 14, 1947, Yeager broke the sound barrier, reaching a speed of 700 miles per hour (Mach 1.06) at an altitude of 45,000 feet while piloting the X-1 Glamorous Glennis.