Jacqueline Cochran | |
|---|---|
 Jacqueline Cochran c. 1943 | |
| Born | May 11, 1906 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 1980 (aged 74) Indio, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | aviator, test pilot, spokesperson, and businessperson |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Robert Cochran Floyd Bostwick Odlum |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | Women Airforce Service Pilots Air Force Reserve Command |
| Years of service | 1942–1970 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross |
Jacqueline Cochran (May 11, 1906 – August 9, 1980) was an American pilot and business executive. She pioneered women's aviation as one of the most prominent racing pilots of her generation. She set numerous records and was the first woman to break the sound barrier on 18 May 1953. Cochran (along with Nancy Love) was the wartime head of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) (1943–1944), which employed about 1000 civilian American women in a non-combat role to ferry planes from factories to port cities. Cochran was later a sponsor of the Mercury 13 women astronaut program.