Jackie Cochran's relationship with the San Diego Air & Space Museum began in 1965 when she was inducted in our International Air and Space Hall of Fame to which she willed her collection to upon her death on August 9, 1980.  Jacqueline Cochran died from heart complications at the age of 73 in Indio, California. She is buried in the Coachella Valley Public Cemetery and is honored throughout the valley, including at the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport. During her lifetime, she received over 200 accolades. 

Jackie Cochran's portrait for SDASM's International Air & Space Hall of Fame.

Signed copy of Chuck Yeager's "Across the High Frontier" addressed to Jackie Cochran.

In 1985, the International Astronomical Union named a Venus crater in her honor. In 2006, the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster in California inducted her as their first female. Today, she holds more distance and speed flight records than any other pilot in history. 

Jackie Cochran with her awards and trophies, many of which are in the SDASM collection.

Other institutions with items belonging to Jackie Cochran in their collection include the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the Mcdermott Library at the US Air Force Academy, and the National Air and Space Musem.