General Chuck Yeager speaks at UCSD Medical Center Auxiliary Benefit

October 1, 1990

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, University Communications, 534-7404 or Sheri Smith, Health Sciences Communications, 543-6164

GEN. CHUCK YEAGER TO SPEAK AT UCSD MEDICAL CENTER AUXILIARY BENEFIT

On Oct. 14, 1947, there were no co-pilots or onboard computers. There was no command central. No news coverage. Just a jet and a pilot, with a sonic wall in the sky to punch through and eight miles of dry Mojave lakebed to land on. Chuck Yeager did it, with cracked ribs and a sense of humor. "The Ughknown," as he called it, "was a poke through Jello!"

Breaking the is just one of his credits. Gen. Yeager has "pushed the outside of the envelope" all his life and has gained a unique point of view out there.

He'll unfold that viewpoint, and tell the real story behind a life that's made headlines, at the annual "Evening With..." sponsored by the UCSD Medical Center Auxiliary Nov. 3 at the Mission Valley Marriott Hotel. The event is a benefit for the UCSD Regional Burn Center at UCSD Medical Center. Gen. Yeager learned the tragedy of burn injuries first hand during a test flight in 1963, when his helmet seal ignited and he received first, second and third degree burns on his face and hands.

The first man to fly faster than the speed of sound, Yeager's historic flight in the Bell X-1 aircraft took place at Muroc Dry Lake Air Field, now . That flight was colorfully depicted in the movie, "," and the book upon which the movie was based.

During his nine-year assignment as the nation's leading , Gen. Yeager also became the first man to fly more than twice the speed of sound, flying the Bell X-1A on Dec. 12, 1953. He has flown 183 types of aircraft during his career, logging more than 11,000 hours of flight time. Retired from active duty with the Air Force on March 1, 1975, he now serves as a consultant test pilot for Northrop Corp. and the Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base.

Gen. Yeager will be introduced by Rancho Santa Fe resident Richard L. "Zeke" Cormier, a former leader of the Blue Angels and a founder of the local Aerospace Museum. Cormier, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is manager of military systems, marketing at Douglas Aircraft Co., Long Beach.

The black tie event will begin at 7 p.m. with dinner, followed by Gen. Yeager's talk and dancing to the Bill Green Orchestra.

Ellen MacVean is general chair of this year's "Evening With..." assisted by a committee which includes Sally Ashburn, Helen Boyden, Alida Bracker, Ann Burrow, Mary DeBrunner, Mary Jo Evans, Audrey Geisel, Stephanie Gildred, Brenda Goldbaum, Wendy Hansbrough, Joan Hayn, Joan Hunsinger, Pat JaCoby, Jean Johnson, Judith Johnson, Bonnie Kaback, Sima Kashani, Sallye Krause, Miriam McDonald, Nancy Mercurio, Joanne Meredith, Lee Millsap, Chloe Moore, Joany Mosher, Judith Pettitt, Vickie Powell, Helene Roberts, Elaine Schneider, Susan Stone, Barbara Stringer, Dixie Unruh, Marjorie Van Winkle and Penny West. Tickets are $150 per person, and reservations may be made by calling 543-6499.

The Regional Burn Center at UCSD Medical Center is the only state-of-the-art burn treatment center in San Diego and Imperial counties. The Center cares for all burn injuries in the two- county area, no matter how minor or serious. Additionally, patients from Los Angeles County are transferred to the San Diego facility, when needed, to take advantage of the more advanced technologies available. John F. Hansbrough, M.D., is director of the Regional Burn Center, assisted by Matthew Cooper, M.D.

A prelude dinner honoring donors and sponsors will be held by members of the Medical Center Auxiliary Oct. 23 at the La Jolla home of Dr. and Mrs. I.A. Kashani.

(October 1, 1990)