Born in Chicago, Yancey enlisted in the United States Navy in 1911 and was made a lieutenant during World War I.
Yancey joined the United States Coast Guard in April 1925 and became interested in aviation and the science of navigation then.
[1] In 1930, Yancey, William H. Alexander, and Zeh Bouck made the first-ever flight from New York to Bermuda in a Stinson monoplane equipped with pontoons.
In his lifetime, Yancey received decorations from Albert I of Belgium, Pope Pius XI, Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Benito Mussolini.
[3] Considered a celebrity for his accomplishments, in New York City Yancey's likeness was captured in caricature for Sardi's, the theater district restaurant.