US Air Force officer and test pilot Chuck Yeager, known as "the fastest man alive," has died at the age of 97.
His wife, Victoria, tweeted from Yeager's verified Twitter account on Monday night that the World War II flying ace had died just before 9 p.m. ET.
"An incredible life well lived, America's greatest pilot," she tweeted.
Yeager broke the sound barrier when he tested the X-1 in October 1947, although the feat was not announced to the public until 1948
His legacy captured later generations as well, being featured in the book and 1983 film, "The Right Stuff."
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