American hero Chuck Yeager dead at 97: report

Legendary pilot Chuck Yeager passed away on Monday evening, his wife Victoria posted to his Twitter account.

She praised his "incredible life well lived" and labeled him "America's greatest pilot."

Yeager was an "ace" fighter pilot after shooting down 11 enemy aircraft in World War II.

He made history as the first human to break the sound barrier.

He went on to command fighter squadrons during Vietnam. He retired in 1975 with the rank of brigadier general.