Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager was born in Myra, Lincoln County, West Virginia, on February 13, 1923, graduated from Hamlin High School in 1941, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in September 1941, and received his pilot’s wings in March 1943. During World War II he flew 64 combat missions and destroyed 13 enemy aircraft. He married Glennis Dickhouse on February 26, 1945, and became the first man to break the sound barrier on October 14, 1947. He later served as commander of the 417 Fighter Squadron at Hahn Air Base, Germany, in 1954-55; commander of the 1st Fighter Squadron, 413 Fighter Wing, at George Air Force Base, California, and Moron Air Force Base, Spain; graduated from Air War College in June 1961; served as commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School from 1962-66; commanded the 406 Fighter Wing at Clark Air Base, Philippines; flew 127 missions in South Vietnam; became vice commander of the 17th Air Force at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in 1971; directed the Air Force Safety Center at Morton Air Force Base, California, in 1973; and retired from the Air Force on March 1, 1975. His awards included the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal with V Device, Air Medal with Ten Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, Mackey Trophy, recognition as one of Ten Outstanding Young Men of 1954 by U.S. Jaycees, Harmon International Trophy in 1954, election to the Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, in 1973, the Special Congressional Silver Medal in 1976, and honorary doctorates from West Virginia University, Marshall University, and Salem College.