What Happened in History: Browse Historical Facts on Kudos 365

Jacqueline Cochran makes history by becoming the first woman to break the sound barrier. She achieve this record piloting a Canadair F-86 Sabre jet aircraft. During her aviation career, from the 1930s through the 1960s, Jacqueline Cochran set more speed and altitude records than any contemporary pilot, male or female. and during World War II, she was instrumental in formation of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs). Cochran received the Distinguished Service Medal for her leadership of the WASP and three Distinguished Flying Cross awards for other records. She was also a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.  More