MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Struggling to defend his Roseburg, Ore., home from an intruder during an attempted robbery June 29, 1998, the Marine Corps' first combat fighter ace was killed after suffering a shotgun blast to the head. His wife was also wounded during the violent altercation, according to contemporary news accounts.It proved a tragic fate for a legendary hero of Marine aviation. Even as his loss was felt around the Corps, his life's accomplishments were celebrated.In tribute to his exploits as a fighter pilot, retired Maj. Gen. Marion Eugene Carl was known as the 'Chuck Yeager of the Marine Corps', in honor of both his own spirit and that of the now infamous Air Force ace and test pilot.His life began November 1, 1915, in Hubbard, Ore. Growing up in his native state, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in aeronautical engineering from Oregon State University in 1938. During his 34-year career as a Naval aviator that began with a commission December 1, 1939, Carl became the Corps' first qualified helicopter pilot, the second American pilot to land a jet on a ship, a world record holder for both the fastest speed and highest altitude achieved in jet-powered flight, and logged more than 13,000 flight hours before his retirement in 1973.As a Marine and a fighter pilot, he was highly respected by his peers and was considered to be "one of the three finest Naval aviators of the World War II generation," according to retired Navy Rear Adm. James D. Ramage, another leader in Naval aviation in World War II.Carl's air combat record is exemplary. He was awarded the Navy Cross for actions during the defense of Midway Island in June 1942. Later, flying almost daily combat with Marine Fighter Squadron 223 and the 'Cactus Air Force' from Henderson Field at Guadalcanal, he earned a second Navy Cross, a Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals. He emerged battle-tested with 18-and-a-half Japanese kills from the cockpit of his F4F-4 Wildcat and then an F4U Corsair.After the war ended in 1945, he entered the Navy's test pilot school and graduated first in his class. It was later during his command of the Corps' first jet squadron that he set a world speed record of 650 miles-per-hour in 1947. Only two months later, Air Force Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the record in the Bell X-1.But Carl continued to make his mark by leading the way.In August 1953, Carl, then a lieutenant colonel, set two more records in a jet soaring to 83,225 feet and a speed of 1,143 miles-per-hour later in September 1953.Always at home in the cockpit, in the 1960's he joined the Division of Aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps before flying a variety of aircraft, including UH-1s, A-4s, F-4s and F-8s, as a brigade commander and assistant wing commander during combat missions in Vietnam.Near the end of his career, he was promoted to major general in 1967 and served as commanding officer for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. before finishing his career as Inspector General of the Marine Corps.The Naval Institute Press published Carl's autobiography, "Pushing the Envelope," in 1994. The book not only reveals his honor, courage and commitment, but sheds light on his leadership style and modest character.As a leader, Carl knew how to take care of his Marines. He believed, "you take care of your people and they will take care of you," according to his autobiography.His achievements as fighter pilot and a Marine, as retold in historical accounts, will always outshine and eclipse the unexpected and lamentable manner of his death. Many military heroes and fellow Marines, including close friend and former Marine fighter pilot Sen. John Glenn, attended his funeral. Carl was laid to rest in Section 66 at Arlington National Cemetery July 9, 1998, but his inspirational legacy endures each time a Marine pilot straps in to an aircraft, even to this day.