Test pilot

Bob Hoover was Chuck Yeager's backup pilot in the Bell X-1 program, and he flew chase in a Lockheed P-80 when Yeager first exceeded Mach 1(broke the sound barrier)on October 14, 1947.

WWII - Fighter Ace (6 aerial victories, 17 ground victories, 155 missions) of the 2nd Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group; received a citation for his escort action during Operation Tidal Wave (aka 'Ploesti Raid) in 1943