Milburn G. Apt

Milburn Grant Apt
Captain Mel Apt in the cockpit of the Bell X-2
Nickname(s)Mel
Born(1924-04-09)April 9, 1924
Buffalo, Kansas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 27, 1956(1956-09-27) (aged 32)
Edwards Air Force Base, California, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1941–1956
RankCaptain
Awards
RelationsSharman Apt Russell (daughter)

Milburn Grant "Mel" Apt (April 9, 1924 – September 27, 1956) was a U.S. Air Force test pilot, and the first man to attain speeds faster than Mach 3. He was killed after separating from the Bell X-2 in his escape capsule during the record-setting flight that exceeded Mach 3. Shortly afterwards, Secretary of the Air Force Donald A. Quarles commended Apt, saying he was "flying faster than any human being has been known to fly."

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