Beaufort in Carteret County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Michael John Smith

Photographed by Dave W, June 10, 2023

1. Michael John Smith Marker

Inscription.

Captain
United States Navy
NASA Astronaut
Born
April 30th, 1945
Beaufort, North Carolina

Died
January 29th, 1986
Pilot
Space Shuttle Challenger

{Reverse}
High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and dances the skies on the laughter-silvered wings
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things.
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swing high in the sunlight silence, hov’ring there.
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue. I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace.
Where, never lark, or even eagle flew, and , while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space. Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

By John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • Exploration. A significant historical date for this entry is January 28, 1986.

Location. 34° 42.986′ N, 76° 39.924′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, North Carolina, in Carteret County. It is on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 412 Front St, Beaufort NC 28516, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Crystal Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John G. Newton (within shouting distance of this marker); Beaufort (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Monitor: America's First Ironclad (about 500 feet away); Remembering our Ancestors (about 700 feet away); Old Burying Ground (about 800 feet away); Jacob Henry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dividing Line Between Old & New Town (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cape Lookout Lighthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.

Photographed by Dave W, June 10, 2023

2. Michael John Smith Marker

Photographed by Dave W, June 10, 2023

3. Michael John Smith Marker

Looking toward town.

Photographed by Dave W, June 10, 2023

4. Michael John Smith Marker

Looking toward the water.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.