Chuck Yeager on Letterman, September 10, 1982

Taped September 2, 1982

[@steverodgers8425]

Hey...all you billionaires and politicians and celebrities and athletes hold your accomplishments and manhood short in the presence of this man. You are nothing more than ceremony.

[@amramjose]

They have some serious egos to go along with their "celebrity status" but many are overpayed crybabies. The real heroes are the working Americans, toiling day and night on the jobs, the uniformed service men and women, truck drivers, factory workers, sanitation workers, the many nurses and other support personnel that make a hospital run and the list goes on.

[@Hollowsmith]

This guy handled fighter pilot combat in a world war and flying through the sound barrier, and he made it to 97 years old. Kids today are worried they'll die if they eat gluten.

[@randallmiller8238]

Most kids need directions on a bar of soap today

[@hughhayden6865]

God bless you for saying this!

[@williamlydon2554]

Yeager wasn't a teenager, he was in his early 20s when he joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. Most of his major feats (Downing an Me-262, Breaking the Sound barrier) took place when he was in his mid to late 20s. Not quite sure why his achievements should somehow be used to scorn modern youth.

[@werwsere5884]

@@williamlydon2554 He was 24 in 1947, when he broke the SB, so he had to be about 18-19 when he enlisted in 1941. Born February 13, 1923. So he was a kid during WW 2.

[@williamlydon2554]

​@@werwsere5884 He would have been 20 in November of 1943 when he shipped out to Europe with his squadron, and of course, his career continued long in the '50s and '60s, as a test pilot and heading the Air Force's astronauts training school.

[@terryfont9468]

His autobiography was the best I ever read. A real hero.

[@Skibbam]

Yes! I have never been a huge book reader, but Chuck Yeager has such an amazing story! Tommy Lasorda's autobiography is right there too. Different career fields, but I think similar personalities and they are from the same generation as well. On a side note: I grew up with Letterman and loved his show, but wow he looks so inexperienced here.

[@amramjose]

I agree, it was a greart read.

[@TVaughan667]

I'll bet St. Peter met General Yeager with a stick of Beeman's gum at the gates.

[@deadendfriends1975]

" I'll pay you back.." " Fair enough..."

[@christopherdoff-sotta4441]

i dont think chuck ever paid those beemans back. lol

[@dondoyle8474]

He talks as though it was just another day at the office that’s what made him one of the greatest. RIP General Yeager👍👍

[@emansnas]

Actually being one of the greatest is why he sounds like he's describing another day at the office. Because it was.

[@paveltolz6601]

Reading his post evasion report after he was shot down and made it back to the UK was about like this interview...very matter of fact with no self aggrandizing. Had to read the reports of those with whom he linked up with to get any real details of the issues they faced.

[@28_gauge]

Just another day on the job....what a brave guy that he was. I admired Chuck Yeager and always will.

[@batreddivenkataramarao8115]

@@paveltolz6601 a

[@batreddivenkataramarao8115]

@@paveltolz6601 a

[@ziggystardust911]

..my mom knew Chuck Yeager.. ..she was an Air Force nurse stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California... (1950-1952 ?) ..she even got to dance with him, every once in awhile.. ..whenever she talked about him, she only had good things to say.. ..you could tell that she respected him and admired him a great deal...

[@bobbyhullfan1077]

Ziggy-Yes, I never heard anyone say an unkind word about Chuck Yeager. Most of us never met him, but I think everyone feels Chuck is a dear freind

[@wojciechgrodnicki6302]

Bob Hoover, another legend. The dude escaped from a German POW camp by stealing a FW 190 fighter and flying it from Poland to the Netherlands. No map, just looking for windmills.

[@disprogreavette8545]

That's crazy, good on him.

[@linklindsey5658]

Visual flight rules.

[@rbeck3200tb40]

Chuck Yeager was shot down over France. Escaped from the Germans living in French peoples houses and barns then traveled on foot over the pyranees mountains into Spain got on a ship and went back to England and rejoined his squadron

[@wojciechgrodnicki6302]

@@rbeck3200tb40 I think we watched the same documentary.

[@rbeck3200tb40]

@@wojciechgrodnicki6302 This was in Chuck Yeagers book Thats where i read this

[@kingwilson06ad]

When I became an American I thought, “I am now an American, just like Chuck Yeager. Boy, what a feeling!”

[@DeereX748]

General Yeager is the Poster Boy for the Greatest Generation. His war service, his flying and test pilot skills, analytical ability and coolness in the face of uncertainty and danger, were common traits among many of his contemporaries. His talents were just a bit sharper than most. I had the immense honor of meeting him once in 1988, when I was a new 1LT in the USAF. he spoke to our group about his experience in the NF-104 and his medical treatment afterwards (I was a Flight Nurse). It was inspiring if nothing else. He had a very direct manner, but a good sense of humor.

[@emansnas]

I appreciate your having that experience and you taking the time to aptly describe it. It's a good memory, one that anyone with a sentient heart/soul/mind would cherish.

[@KJ-ej6vi]

They only call it the greatest generation because the dumbasses died, dont get get me wrong plenty of good men died...but more dumbshits did

[@KJ-ej6vi]

What i mean is that the good ones survived more haha

[@nielsanderson4926]

Yeah he was All these things but still he lied about the moving Tail altitude rudder It was the British with Northrop Airplane construction and the first jet engine designer Who came up with the idea

[@nielsanderson4926]

You are talking about the NF 104 BEING A BRITISH DESIGNED AND BUILT PLANE IF I AM CORRECT I AM NO PILOT BUT I HAVE AN OVERHEALTHY INTEREST IN ANYTHING THAT FLIES AND I HAVE SEEN A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE PILOT BRITISH PILOT WHO FLEW THAT PLANE AND IT WAS JUST UNFORTUNATE THAT THEY NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO FLY OVER MACH 1 BECAUSE OF BUDGET PROBLEMS AS WITH THE AMERICANS WHO HAD UNLIMITED AIRFORCE FUNDS AND I LOVE CHUCK YEAGER HE IS A REAL AMERICAN GUY WHO HAS UPSTANDING MORALS AND A TON OF EXPERIENCE WITH ANYTHING FLYING HE WAS FANTASTIC FLYING THAT BELL X1 AS I UNDERSTOID HE HAD TO CONTROL FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRESSURIZED FUEL IN THE RIGHT MIXTURE TO GET THE ROCKET ENGINE TO RUN SMOOTHLY ALL THE WHILE FLYING AT THE SAME TIME AND STILL BREAL DAILY NEW RECORDS I CONSIDER THAT MAN TOGETHER WITH THE FIRST X15 PILOT TWO OF THE GREATEST FLYING GODS FOREVER

[@ccguy66]

Big admirer of both Letterman and Yeager, but I never knew Yeager was on the show. This is fantastic!

[@MrMarkus49]

Seems to me in later years Letterman went without oxygen for too long. Dave was much better in the early 80's.

[@craigpaske9351]

Letterman doesn't even amount to a pimple on Chuck Yeager's ass.

[@litenlyss]

@@craigpaske9351 yeah i totally agree, he talks over mr. Yeager and interrupts at the height of his explanations (e.g. the sensation after reaching mach1), doesnt know how to do a follow up (e.g. when mr. Yeager says that him being a kid at 24yo is a matter of perspective, because he had already fought in ww2 and was one of the worlds best fighter pilots). Hes a very rude and indolent host (ive noticed it on several occasions, especially with women). Chuck Yeagers autobiography is one of my all time favorite books, not just because it is full of anecdotes and is very relatable, but also because of how understandable are his technical explanations (and relatable for amateur pilots as myself) and especially because of his personality traits and personal example (how humble he was, how driven, how professional and passionate, while still keeping up his prank games and love for Glennis)

[@scotey]

What a guy. They really don't make 'em like that anymore. Letterman's reverence is subtle but obvious.

[@Alamyst2011]

I met Chuck. Great man. No bull. 100% American.

[@seththomas9105]

He came from West Virginia and he's the fastest man alive! Godspeed, General.

[@aceace5867]

What a guy! What a cool customer, man... I wanna be just like that guy when l grow up! Aww, damn it, l am grown up... Well, hats off to ya Chuck. Such a gent and tough as nails.

[@AggieSpace]

RIP Chuck Yeager. My childhood hero.

[@bigroy38]

Him & the G.O.A.T. Bob Hoover.

[@stephenspears3206]

Uncle Chuck Yeager was my great uncle from my dad's side of the family. And I am proud to say that I'm related to him. RiP Uncle Chuck. What a great feet he did too.

[@jimmy2k4o]

*feat

[@strandednseattle]

I LOVED getting the chance to talk with Gen Yeager. He just opened right up to me about his experiences. I met him in Afghanistan when he came to visit my Aviation unit. I will forever cherish that moment till the day I die. He was such a humble and beautiful human being.

[@jshepard152]

I've never heard Yeager described as humble before.

[@brianpaulus807]

“And no one knew their names”…..but this guy they did……one, if not the best pilot who ever lived!!….RIP General!

[@Alan_Page]

Every Chuck Norris joke applies to this guy. He was a combat pilot in WW2 before he was a famous test pilot. A complete badass.

[@peregrinec5477]

"Nah...never replaced sex." LOL!

[@mattshaffer8460]

Don you are always all over these! RIP General Yeager--rest easy.

[@standtallvets5386]

My father, passed away now too, was a senior chief flight test engineer at Edwards during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. As a young boy I grew up around Chuck, and all the rest of those great guys out there in the 60's. All national hero's that were amazing in what they could do. Bigger than life is how I remember them back in those days. Another one was Chuck Lewis, that guy was both a Top Surgeon and a Top Pilot who took me for a big ride in the sky when I was 10. It was a challenge with a bet made that everyone knew about but me. All the guys were out there on the runway laughing after we landed and they saw me get out. That's how it really was back then. Rip to Chuck and the other guys gone now too.

[@Alamyst2011]

That is amazing. I met Chuck later in life. As an air show fan. He was a great guy, solid.

[@Markos581973]

Yeah ok kid,

[@evelynclover6366]

My grandfather was one of his military friends and owned the ranch and horses Chuck and his wife were riding that night before the flight. They knew the Air Force wouldn't let him fly the X1 that day if they had known he broke his rib. Those guys went to the local Veterinarian to patch him up so no one would know. Bert Johnston was his name. He is also gone as well back in 2001.

[@Markos581973]

@@evelynclover6366 yeah. We all seen the Right Stuff. Nice try.

[@evelynclover6366]

@@Markos581973 Stop trying to troll people dude, especially when it's about people's family that have passed. Not cool 🙄

[@michaelj.r457]

RIP to one of the great ones. God Speed Chuck Yeager

[@35oz19g]

This mans autobiography is a classic piece of literature! RIP General Yeager

[@adrianbabst6749]

"I don't know anything about a flying tail, but that's a neat story." "It's quite a tale actually." Holy shit this man was funny

[@ji19103]

@4:56 It went right by Dave, who's pretty quick himself, but Chuck was the fastest in the world.

[@Paul1958R]

What is great about this is that he tells the story of his broken ribs, etc, before his record breaking flight in the X-1. And this is Sept 1982 - about a year before a little film called The Right Stuff would come out. Yes Dave mentions Wolfe's book but most people would not read the book (which was published in 1979) but would see the film.

[@victorjohnson6380]

I still have my copy of the book... somewhere.

[@thomasam25]

Two key members of 20th century American culture in their own ways. Chuck Yeager was a truly great man.

[@mickfunny4185]

Wouldn’t say tv was a key to American culture

[@alexandraasbury9974]

@@mickfunny4185 Sorry to have to disagree, but it certainly is. It influences people whether they realize it or not, and sometimes not in the best of ways..

[@civlyzed]

@@mickfunny4185 You'd be one of the few then.

[@pjm1264]

ha! Chuck tells a joke ('well that's a tale/tail") and Dave totally missed it great interview. Thanks Don!

[@peteranderson037]

His jokes were too fast for Dave.

[@tommyjonq]

I served Gen Yeager a few times as a bartender. He was my dad's hero, and that made meeting him even cooler. He was a great guy, very modest, and very friendly. When he shook your hand, he gave a little squeeze with his "trigger finger."

[@alexm7627]

Wonder if he did that as a tick he caught from his fighter pilot days?

[@williamboyd8688]

@@alexm7627 Don't think so, he had too much control for that; maybe he did it as kind of a "calling card" so to speak.

[@matthewwolfe6417]

dave is sooo lucky to actually meet CHUCK YEAGAR !!

[@jeffsanders663]

No clue he died. Loved his smile when mentioning Pancho's place!

[@richmoves]

Not only was he a fearless, genius, pioneer aviator. He was super-charismatic and sexy AF!

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

As a much younger man, I read of Chuck Yeager's exploits during WWII, and of course his death-defying experiences as a test pilot and the first man documented to break the speed of sound in flight. General Yeager was a hero to me not only because of what he did, but because of who he was and how he managed to enjoy life and have adventures at every stop along the way, no matter what got thrown at him. Yeager passed away shortly before the end of 2020, aged 97 well-lived years. RIP, General Yeager - we'll not see your like again.

[@DEADLOK69]

That was a good one, Chuck: "What are you trying to do? TEST ME?

[@tysoncott7402]

Awesome dude for sure, a true american badass.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@ Tyson Cott: If you find General Yeager's life interesting, consider reading his autobiography coauthored with Leo Janos, entitled "Yeager." It is a rip-roaring read, highly-entertaining and informative, too. Yeager wore his alpha male status easily and without comment, but the man was just a prototype of what someone in that line of work ought to be. Yeager always credited his 20-10 vision for saving his bacon during the war; see the enemy before he sees you and you'll likely come out on top if you can bounce them first. But he was unique in other ways. Postwar, during highly-hazardous testing of a captured Russian MIG-15 at Okinawa, Yeager and some other test pilots wrung the communist airframe out, using only what the pilot, a defector, could tell them about it, and their own knowledge. One of the other pilots got hypoxia in service ceiling testing to determine how high the enemy fighter could go, but Yeager strapped himself in and managed to get more than 3,000 feet higher - without any signs of oxygen starvation whatsoever. He was a hell of a man, I'll tell you that.....

[@Samantha-pn4zk]

@@GeorgiaBoy1961 thank you! I’ll read it!

[@Samantha-pn4zk]

Wow. Courageous, humble, and smart as a whip! A top tier American. RIP General.

[@glennellis1584]

~ The Best Pilot of them all, he outlived them all, never being in one of the manned spacecraft programs. Even Deke Slayton, sidelined for a heart murmur, finally flew. A shame Gen.Yeager did not fly the shuttle. RIP General Yeager.

[@yavuzpokomoko1887]

What a humble man he tells that heroic story as if it is an ordinary stuff day RIP YEAGER

[@kevinstephenson3880]

America's humble hero. Chuck Yeager had "The Right Stuff"! Such a nice man. His stories were many AND FACTUAL! What a life he lived! RIP General.

[@honeybeebadger]

What a man thank you for your service General RIP

[@merkin22]

25 years old = kid. Yah not so much when the 25 year old has seen active duty in WWII :)

[@renardgrise]

I'm thinking Yeager wasn't impressed with Letterman, haha.

[@MrDuds1984]

He was 24 when he broke the speed of sound, amazing

[@jasonbelter3536]

A true hero, pioneer and legend, love the sense of humor General Yeager has, sincere condolences and Rest in Peace my brother

[@alyssawilliams2688]

I found out a couple months ago that I am related to him.. he is like my fourth cousin or something like that. When my Grandma told me he passed it broke my heart because I wanted to meet him because he was family. R.I.P. 🙏🏼♥️

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Chuck Yeager must have told these stories a million times, but it is still so well done. Thanks for the chance to enjoy this interview.

[@nebulous6660]

That’s a real man

[@mud2160]

They don't make 'em like that any more...

[@Paulco67]

Thanks Don, Gen Yeager was a real American hero and it’s great to hear him talk to Dave.

[@TheBTG88]

They broke the mold with this guy. Godspeed General Yeager.

[@brianraper4836]

Just the most amazing individual that ever walked this Earth and to fly above it! An inspiration for me always

[@fredsalfa]

Incredible. My dad also flew Mustangs in WW2 but was never as famous as Chuck Yeager

[@standupamerica5707]

Wow!! Am sure that didn't matter in those days, all those great men that went through that are still heroes in my book.

[@rluna1utube]

What a humble guy. Wish I met someone like that.

[@BuggSmasher]

I read his amazing Auto biography when I was 15. I just found out about His passing now on Christmas day. RIP General Yeager sir !

[@wincubs1]

Great seeing this...before the movie The Right Stuff came out. Yeager was and always will be a legend. The movie is definitely worth seeing and the book by the same title is even better!

[@kenster865]

I've been a huge fan of General Yeager since I was a young kid. This oft repeated story of Chuck breaking the sound barrier has been told over and over ever since the actual event in late 1947. He truly is a role model that any youngster today would be wise to look up to.

[@leeandrewclarke]

Chuck is probably in heaven now, asking God if he can try to get up to light speed.

[@robertfrank8828]

This is a true American hero RIP general

[@patcampion716]

My father flew bombers in the USAF, so General Yeager has always been one of my hero’s. His book is a great read.

[@michaellong5714]

So, a farmboy from West Virigina gets into the Army Air Corp, makes pilot, flies the Mustang in WW2, shoots down 5 German planes, is the first to shoot down a jet, is the first to be shot down over Europe and make it back to England through the underground and return to fighter piloting. First to break the Sound Barrier, and flies a rocket powered F-104 to 108,000 ft. He not only had the 'right stuff' but was absolutely the very first 'steely-eyed missileman'. Back in the 50's as a kid, I forget the cereal, but inside each box was a different USAF aircraft (F-86, F-102, F-104 AND!!! the Bell-X1 all were polystyrene plastic (grey), molded, and about 1" or 2" long. I loved that last one and would imagine I was Gen. Yeager flying up there and breaking the sound barrier. Read and loved his autobiography, served in the USAF in the 60's, but never got to fly.

[@cahg3871]

It was never about the money for Chuck Yeager-it was about “pushing the envelope”.

[@steveflor9942]

A true Hero. A fine Gentleman. RIP General Yaeger

[@jfallas]

Amazing man. What a great hero.

[@a1f1racer]

WHAT A LEGEND. THE DEFINITION OF THE RIGHT STUFF. RIP CHUCK

[@paulrippcord506]

For a guy who was a WW2 fighter pilot, a test pilot, and aviation pioneer, Yeager lived to an extraordinary old age, 97 years old. It’s impressive.

[@jonathanbowles4890]

My dear old Dad's hero. Dad died before KZbin, he would have loved this. Many thanks for posting X

[@Bippy55]

(speechless!) An epic person by anyone's standards. R.I.P. Chuck Yeager.

[@bobmorgan1762]

Rest In Peace, General. It was a pleasure interacting with you on Twitter.

[@stevem7]

Terrific! Chuck passed everything off so easily, but geez I would be scared to death to attempt the things that that awesome man accomplished in his career. Thank you again, Don...just love your channel.

[@stijnvandamme76]

That's fighter pilots, they all make it sound easy and like to tell stories that may or may not be somewhat exaggerated

[@tereseiervasi1006]

Live On General Chuck Yeager 🇺🇸 I watch that movie so many times it was great 👍 what a great casting crew 👏 The speed of sound 😳 I need a Valium just to get on the airplane ✈ Just remember folks General Chuck Yeager will never be FORGOTTEN 🙏🏻⚘🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✈✈✈

[@terebellum1981]

RIP Gen. Yeager

[@ottohonkala6861]

Great American ACE Fighter Pilot. RIP General Yeager.

[@bobstroud9118]

Thanks Donz ! Two of my favorite people. N.E.OH Bob

[@daryljay7057]

Stainless Steel Balls! What a Man! Truly one of the Greatest of America's Greatest Generation!

[@Hagmire]

This man did a lot for the advancement of aviation and put his life on the line many times for it, RIP General you will be missed but not forgotten.

[@charleshoffman7791]

fantastic man, we need more of those like him

[@paddy.7784]

Truly.. he was a great America hero ..Was such a buzz for me and my Whanau to see him when he came to Aotearoa for ' Wings over Wanaka ' back in the 1990 's. RIP.

[@mrcarlo1966]

Such a likable and modest man.🇺🇸

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

The man was an American legend. His humility is palpable; His heroism without measure.

[@iM3rLiNi]

i wasn't born at the time this interview was conducted but man these talkhows were so much better back then compared to the bull**** we have nowadays :(

[@danieljones7566]

Thanks for posting. Great interview with an incredible man! Godspeed Chuck Yeager.

[@Oldag75]

A Magnificent American, Chuck Yeager.

[@dalesfailssagaofasuslord783]

That’s a very rare clip of a ground launched X1 flight. Yeager talks about it in his book. Jack Ridley worked out the exact amount of fuel they would need to get it airborne and reach Mach 1. They did it because the “experts” didn’t consider it a speed record because it was dropped from a B 29. They said it needed to take off and land from a runway.

[@BogeyKing722]

Another of the Greatest Generation. Hardcore to the end. Doing it in style.

[@chrisalexander2478]

And that right there folks was my childhood hero.

[@drawntomountains]

Chuck Yeager and those pioneer test pilots were the epitome of No Fear !!! Just balls of steel ! If they crashed and lived, it waa like a day at the office. They'd pick up and go right back to work. Very special extreme men !

[@11007733]

Brilliant gentleman with nerves and balls of steel. RIP Gen. Yeager - a genuine American hero.

[@TimBarnett-pl9kd]

While other friends had baseball players heros as roll models, this man, Chuck Yager was my hero. My other hero was treasure diver, Mell Fisher. I loved it when Chuck played in movie,"Right Stuff" working at Poncho Barns Riding Club. "Hey Rigly, you got any Beeman's "? "I think I got a stick"? "Lone me some well ya, I'll pay you back later"! "Good enough"! First man to break the sound barrier! Oh yeah, my hero, Chuck Yager!

[@CR-vj6vv]

Yeager was always smiling, no matter what he was doing. You can tell he was always having a good time. That's most likely why he lived a long life.

[@stewartmcneill2262]

Wow what a guy yes a man a real man like so many in those days thanks Chuck

[@pablpfanque]

While watching allied gun camera footage from 1945, they hold up a board with the pilots name and unit. I saw one was C.E.Yeager. You can actually see his strafing video.

[@williamboyd8688]

Very observant you are.

[@bobwho1986]

7:20 ... test pilots ... (ha ha ha!) I love this! He's 62, here - a man full of confidence, spunk, humor, and fearless look in his eyes. Amazing.

[@SH-yx1es]

I love listening to Chuck Yeager. He is so technically fluent and well spoken. You can tell he was very intelligent, and a true American hero!

[@straytraffic]

The voice of every pilot forever

[@bobbyhullfan1077]

I always wanted to meet Chuck. I know nothing about aiplanes, but have worked with and loved bird dogs all my life and have been lucky to have known and hunted over some really good ones. Chuck had the same passion for bird hunting and dogs, I'm sure we would have a lot to talk about.

[@cschwarz9448]

Chuck Yeager is one cool dude. A man of character, determination and talent. He makes Dave appear clearly as the loser that he is.

[@Tvz42]

After reading his autobiography its great hearing his voice and cadence.

[@richardgalli7262]

One man I would have loved to have met.

[@johnboston6258]

Love the letterman quote "you were a kid at the time, 24 years old" you can actually see Gen Yeager's body language change. At the grand old age of 24 he had completed 2 tours of combat in Europe, was an ace twice over and was actually been shot down in between and got out through Spain. Guess by the age of 24 he had already done a lot of living, hence his response to letterman calling him a 24 year old kid. What an absolute legend

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Looks, reminds me, of my father ...Air Force Sargent, during WW2 ...Raymond Joseph ✈🛩🦁

[@jeffreylindsey1757]

Godspeed Chuck. He surely had the "Right Stuff" just no college degree. At least in the early 60's. A true American hero and aviation icon!

[@michaelwhalen2442]

Chuck... RIP you blue suit badass... you make me proud to have served in the Air Force.

[@FERNweh101]

Always admired this guy