Which service broke the sound barrier, and who was the pilot?

The correct option highlights the significant achievement of breaking the sound barrier, which was accomplished by the United States Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager. On October 14, 1947, Yeager flew the Bell X-1, a rocket-powered aircraft, and successfully exceeded the speed of sound, reaching a speed of 700 miles per hour (1,126 km/h). This milestone marked a pivotal moment in aviation history, demonstrating the capabilities of high-speed flight and paving the way for future advancements in aeronautics.

The context surrounding the choices not selected reveals key details about each figure. John Glenn, a Navy pilot, is famously known for being the first American to orbit the Earth, not for breaking the sound barrier. Neil Armstrong, while a renowned astronaut and the first person to walk on the Moon, was not involved in this specific milestone of supersonic flight. Jim Lovell, also an astronaut known for his role in the Apollo missions, was a Navy pilot but did not break the sound barrier.

Thus, the historical significance of Chuck Yeager's achievement underlines why this option stands out as the correct answer.