10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and
Capt. Melvin R. Ellis began his tour of duty in Vietnam on June 15, 1966. He was an USAF fighter pilot with the 308th TAC Fighter Squadron. On his 95th mission his plane was shot down. He died in Kien Hoa Province, South Vietnam. He had served in the US Air Force for 14 years and was 39 years old.
At the time of his death he was married. His wife Alice and two daughters were living in Abilene, Texas.
Melvin Rupert Ellis is buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. This is a National American Cemetery administered through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Melvin is also honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 11e, Line 76.
