On this date in 1970, Colonel Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran, United States Air Force Reserve, was presented the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in service to the United States. Following the presentation, her retirement orders were read, bringing an end to her twenty years of service in the Air Force Reserve.
Cochran was endlessly establishing new records as early as 1938 when she became the only woman to compete in the Bendix Race. She worked with Amelia Earhart to open the race to women. She set a new women's world speed record that same year, becoming known as the best female pilot in the US. Cochran was the first woman to break the sound barrier on 18 May 1953. Sometimes called the "Speed Queen", at the time of her death, no other pilot held more speed, distance, or altitude records in aviation history than Cochran.
Read about her full career at: https://wikimili.com/en/Jacqueline_Cochran
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