Herb Hoover
Herb Hoover | |
|---|---|
| Born | Herbert Henry Hoover May 18, 1912 |
| Died | August 14, 1952 (aged 40) Burrowsville, Virginia, United States |
| Cause of death | Parachute didn't open after bailing out of the B-45A Tornado bomber exploded that he was piloting |
| Education | University of Tennessee |
| Occupation | Experimental test pilot |
| Known for | First civilian to break the sound barrier |
| Awards | See Awards |
Herbert Henry Hoover (May 18, 1912 – August 14, 1952) was an American NACA experimental test pilot who, on March 10, 1948, became the first civilian and second person to break the sound barrier, a feat for which he was awarded the Air Medal "for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight." Hoover flew the iconic orange Bell X-1 during this historic flight. During his short career with NACA, Hoover completed more than a dozen supersonic flights.