Near Boron in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Capt. Mel Apt, USAF
Pilot of the Bell X-2
— In Memory of his Contribution —
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 2, 2018
1. Mel Apt Marker
First human being to reach and exceed Mach 3 - 2094 mph.
Perished near this site on September 27th 1956 while returning to base on the first manned Mach Three mission in history.
The Bell X-2, AFSN# 46-674, crashed at this location after Captain Apt unsuccessfully ejected due to a loss of control.
20 days earlier, on September 7, 1956, this aircraft made another historic flight when it zoomed to an altitude of 126,200 feet with Captain Ivan C. Kinchloe, USAF, at the controls, making this ship the first manned vehicle to exit the atmosphere of the earth.
Erected by Amateur Aerospace Archaeologists of Southern California.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is September 27, 1956.
Location. 34° 52.527′ N, 117° 29.826′ W. Marker is near Boron, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 395. Located 9 miles south of Kramer Junction, a half mile east of Highway 395, near an un-named, rough dirt road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boron CA 93516, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rocket Site (approx. 11.8 miles away); Miner's Cabin (approx. 12.2 miles away); Twenty Mule Team (approx. 15.2 miles away).
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Photographed By Craig Baker, November 2, 2018
2. Mel Apt Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 2, 2018
3. Mel Apt Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
