Herb Hoover
AMERICAN NACA EXPERIMENTAL TEST PILOT
Draft:Herb Hoover
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 ever and second man ever to break the sound barrier, a feat for which he was awarded the Air Medal "for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight." Hoover, with Howard Lilly by his side, flew the iconic orange Bell X-1 during this historic flight, and the craft sustained minor damage when the nose wheel failed to extend during landing.