Here's a look at the life of Chuck Yeager, the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound.

Personal: Birth date: February 13, 1923

Birthplace: Myra, West Virginia (grew up in Hamlin)

Birth name: Charles Elwood Yeager

Father: Albert Hal, a coal miner and gas driller

Mother: Susie Mae (Sizemore) Yeager

Marriages: Victoria Scott D'Angelo (August 2003-present); Glennis Faye Dickhouse (February 26, 1945-December 22, 1990, her death)

Children: with Glennis: Donald "Don," Michael "Mickey," Sharon, Susan

Military Service: US Air Force, 1941-1975, Brigadier General (Retired)

Other Facts: The first supersonic pilot and has flown more than 200 different types of military aircraft.

Trained many of the Gemini, Mercury, and Apollo astronauts at the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilots School.

During World War II, Yeager shot down over a dozen German planes. He is credited twice with shooting down more than four planes in one day, October 12 and November 27, 1944.

Flew combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Does not own his own plane but borrows one when he wants to fly.

Created a foundation which helps finance youth pilot programs and college scholarships.

Lawsuits between Yeager's children and himself and his second wife over money have fractured the family. The youngest child, Susan was ordered to repay close to $1 million in misappropriated funds under her control as his financial manager from 1990 through 2003.

Timeline: September 12, 1941 - Enlists in the Army Air Corps and undergoes training as a flight mechanic.

March 10, 1943 - Appointment as flight officer after receiving wings. His unit is sent to England in November.

March 5, 1944 - At age 21, Yeager is shot down over German-occupied France on his 9th mission. He is wounded and then rescued by the French Resistance. After being smuggled into Spain and briefly imprisoned, he makes his way back to England.

October 12, 1944 - Shoots down five German fighter planes in succession.