101 Chuck YEAGER-isms: Wit & Wisdom from America’s Hero
Submitted by: Victoria Yeager
Category: Books
“First time I saw a jet…I shot it down.” Chuck YEAGER-ism #44 How many of us can say that? Chuck Yeager, in World War II, flying a P-51 espied a German Me-262 on final, with his gear down. Normally, the jets could speed out of range but not this time. Capt. Chuck Yeager shot him down.
“Unsportsmanlike, but what the hell?” Chuck YEAGER-ism #46
Read about this in Gen. Chuck Yeager’s newest book:
At 24, Chuck Yeager, American hero, original badass, the original Right Stuff, the inspiration for Top Gun/Maverick, the greatest aviator who ever lived, was the fastest man alive. He flew for over 70 years and flew 361 different makes and models of military aircraft. His first book sold over 1.2 million copies. His second book did well, too. You’ll love his third book.
It’s out just in time for the 75th anniversary of Yeager risking his life (the experts thought he’d blow apart into millions of pieces), breaking the sound barrier, flying faster than the speed of sound, Mach 1.
Endorsed by Mark Cuban (Shark Tank, Dallas Mavericks); Phil Kaufman (director: The Right Stuff): Gen. Charlie Duke (LMP, Apollo 16, astronaut, man on the moon); Col. Pat Duffy (flew fighters with Gen Yeager); Gerald McRaney (actor, outdoorsman, NCIS-Los Angeles); Barbara Eden (actor, singer, I Dream of Jeannie); Julie Clarke (air show champion, one of the first female captains, major airline); Joe Bonsall/Oak Ridge Boys (17 #1 hits); Rabbi David Wolpe (Newsweek’s top rabbi in the US), and others.
Born in Hamlin, W.Va., on Feb 13, 1923, Yeager enlisted in the Army Air Corps in Sept. 1941. In July 1942 he was accepted for pilot training and received his pilot wings in March 1943.
During World War II, with his excellent eyesight & hand-eye coordination, Yeager shot down 13 enemy aircraft. On Mar. 5, 1944, he was shot down over France but evaded capture when the French Underground hid him.
“Ain’t a German in the world can catch a West Virginian in the woods.” Chuck YEAGER-ism #50
When Yeager returned to England, he was ordered home. He refused. Gen Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, met him & said, “I don’t normally see guys like you, but I am curious. I’ve got people shooting themselves in the foot to go home; what is the matter with you?”
Yeager said, “I haven’t done my job.”
Duty. Chuck YEAGER-ism #13
After D-Day, Yeager was allowed back on combat, achieved “ace in a day” status, and shot down 1 of Germany’s 1st jets from his P-51.
Buy the book & read more!
About the author:
Victoria Yeager was born in Philadelphia, attended girls’ school, has a BA from the University of Virginia, spent her junior year in Paris taking classes from the Sorbonne, Sorbonne Nouvelle, and the Institute of Political Science and has an MBA from Columbia University. She has consulted nonprofit and NGO companies all over the world advocating against human trafficking, hunger and homelessness. She has helped educate indigenous people about nutrition, finances, and the prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse. She is also an actor, producer, director and writer. She enjoys traveling, flying (taught by her late husband, Chuck Yeager), horseback riding, huntin’, fishing, sailing, bodysurfing, reading, trekking, whitewater rafting, and currently, pickleball. In 2000, she met Gen. Chuck Yeager on a hiking trail in the middle of nowhere. As her friend said, "Clearly, it was meant to be." Chuck and Victoria married in 2003. Victoria is thrilled and honored to share the humor and wisdom of her late great husband, Gen. Chuck Yeager. c. GCYI