February 13: Happy Birthday, Chuck Yeager

Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to break the sound barrier, was born on this day in 1905.  The pride of Hamlin, West Virginia, he enlisted in the Air Force and served in WWII.

Yeager made a few interesting radio appearances.  In 1951, he guested on The Bob Hope Show giving the host a ride in an airplane.

In 1953, The Hallmark Hall of Fame dramatized General Yeager's breaking of the sound barrier, with Raymond Burr, Lamont Johnson, and host Lionel Barrymore.  After the program proper, Yeager had a brief conversation with Barrymore.

Finally, he appeared in a brief clip on the series Eyes On the Skies, discussing the Ground Observer Corps.

One learns something new every day, right?  Happy birthday, Chuck Yeager.

March 3: Happy Birthday, Barbara Jean Wong

March 3: Happy Birthday, Barbara Jean Wong

Barbara Jean Wong was an American actress- primarily a radio actress- born to third-generation Chinese-American parents. She started her career at an early age of five. She had a fine, clear voice at the age due to which she garnered many roles in radio programs at such a small age.

Often called The Chinese-American Shirley Temple, L.A. native Barbara Jean Wong was a child actress and radio phenom.

The role you may remember her in was that of Arbadella in Amos 'n' Andy. Arbadella was Amos's daughter, enjoying tender moments with Amos, including his teaching her the significance of the Lord's prayer. She was also a staple on Christmas programs.

The charming young gal also threw her personality into appearances on Lux Radio Theatre, Cavalcade of America, and Hallmark Hall of Fame.

Most of the characters the fifth-generation Chinese-American played were not Asian. Here's a salute to a character actress on Amos 'n' Andy, one of the all-time greats of radio.