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86-477: The Hughes Range was discovered and photographed by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd on the baselaying flight of November 18, 1929. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) on the recommendation of Byrd for Charles Evans Hughes , U.S. secretary of state, U.S. chief justice, and adviser/counselor of Byrd. Download coordinates as: The Hughes Range runs southwest–northeast to

172-578: A colonial governor. He was also descended from George Yeardley , Francis Wyatt and Samuel Argall . He was the brother of Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd , a dominant figure in the Virginia Democratic Party from the 1920s until the 1960s; their father served as Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates for a time. On January 20, 1915, Richard married Marie Ames Byrd (d. 1974). He would later name

258-593: A distinctive landmark 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) south-southwest of Mount Kaplan. Discovered and photographed by Rear Admiral Byrd on the Baselaying Flight of Nov. 18, 1929, and surveyed by Albert P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by the latter for Hugh Odishaw, Executive Secretary of the U.S. National Committee for the IGY. 84°33′S 175°19′E  /  84.550°S 175.317°E  / -84.550; 175.317 . A massive mountain, highest in

344-567: A founding member of the International Academy of Astronautics . Kaplan was President of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) from 1963 to 1967. The Los Angeles Times said that Kaplan was "a pioneer in the chemistry and physics of the stratosphere". The Baltimore Sun called him "an expert on auroras and similar lights in the sky". In 1956, Kaplan warned of anthropogenic climate change . He

430-690: A letter from Nuku Hiva (the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia ) to Chambers, the ship's commanding officer, commending him and his crew "for the courage and efficiency" displayed following the explosion that made Byrd "feel proud to be an American. Great heroism was displayed, especially by the men who lost their lives rescuing the wounded." Byrd completed the Special Mission in December and participated in

516-577: A pilot in his flight to the North Pole the next year. Balchen, whose knowledge of Arctic flight operations proved invaluable, was the primary pilot on Byrd's flight to the South Pole in 1929. On May 9, 1926, Byrd and Navy Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Bennett attempted a flight over the North Pole in a Fokker F.VIIa/3m tri-motor monoplane named Josephine Ford after the daughter of Ford Motor Company president Edsel Ford , who helped finance

602-587: A premier international science facility set to open at the beginning of the 21st century. 84°21′S 175°08′E  /  84.350°S 175.133°E  / -84.350; 175.133 . A sharp peak, 3,325 metres (10,909 ft) high, surmounting a north–south trending ridge 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) north-northwest of Mount Waterman. Discovered and photographed by the USAS on Flight C of February 29-March 1, 1940, and surveyed by A.P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by Crary for Gordon Cartwright, first of

688-402: A privately financed expedition, where he headed the inaugural aircraft crew that successfully flew over the South Pole. Byrd strongly advocated for ski-equipped aircraft, despite the considerable operational, logistical, and maintenance challenges they posed, necessitating the establishment of significant onshore bases to address these issues. As a result of his achievement, Byrd was promoted to

774-644: A recipient of the Smithsonian Institution 's Hodgkins Medal in 1967, the head of the Air Force 's Air Weather Service during World War II , a professor and professor emeritus of physics at the University of California, Los Angeles , a fellow of American Geophysical Union , an honorary member of American Meteorological Society , a fellow of American Physical Society , an honorary member of National Association of Science Writers , and

860-605: A region of Antarctic land he discovered " Marie Byrd Land " after her, and a mountain range, the Ames Range , after her father. They had four children – Richard Evelyn Byrd III , Evelyn Bolling Byrd Clarke, Katharine Agnes Byrd Breyer, and Helen Byrd Stabler. By late 1924, the Byrd family moved into a large brownstone house at 9 Brimmer Street in Boston's fashionable Beacon Hill neighborhood that had been purchased by Marie's father,

946-519: A spur descending northeast from it, standing at the NW portal of Good Glacier where the latter flows into Ross Ice Shelf. Discovered by the USAS on Flight C of February 29-March 1, 1940, and named by US-ACAN for Cdr. Charles O. Reinhardt, United States Navy, engineer for United States Navy Operation Highjump (1946–47) and for Little America IV. 84°20′S 178°52′E  /  84.333°S 178.867°E  / -84.333; 178.867 . A small peak at

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1032-622: A time as Honorary National President (1931–1935) of Pi Gamma Mu , the international honor society in the social sciences. He carried the society's flag during his first Antarctic expedition to dramatize the spirit of adventure into the unknown, characterizing both the natural and social sciences. To finance and gain both political and public support for his expeditions, Byrd actively cultivated relationships with many powerful individuals, including President Franklin Roosevelt, Henry Ford, Edsel Ford, John D. Rockefeller Jr. , and Vincent Astor . As

1118-567: A token of his gratitude, Byrd named geographic features in the Antarctic after his supporters. On his second expedition during the summer of 1933–1934, (it was winter in the US, above the equator) Byrd spent five months alone operating a meteorological station, Advance Base, from which he narrowly escaped with his life after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly ventilated stove. Unusual radio transmissions from Byrd finally began to alarm

1204-596: A wealthy industrialist. Byrd was friends with Edsel Ford and his father Henry Ford , whose admiration of his polar exploits helped to gain Byrd sponsorship and financing for his various polar expeditions from the Ford Motor Company. He had a pet dog, Igloo, who accompanied Byrd to the North and South poles and who is buried at the Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery with a tombstone that reads "He

1290-568: Is 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) wide. Discovered and photographed by Rear Admiral Byrd on the Baselaying Flight of Nov. 18, 1929, and surveyed by A.P. Crary, 1957-58. Mapped by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys, 1962–63, and U.S. Navy photography taken 1958-63. The plateau is named in honor of Neal Lane, Director of the National Science Foundation from 1993 to 1998. Under his leadership NSF won congressional approval for rebuilding South Pole Station as

1376-524: Is also known for discovering Mount Sidley , the largest dormant volcano in Antarctica. Byrd claimed to be the first to reach both the North and South Poles by air. However, there is some controversy as to whether or not Byrd was actually the first person to reach the North Pole. It is generally believed that the distance Byrd claimed to fly was longer than the possible fuel range of his airplane. He

1462-463: Is numbered 753 in the Scott's Catalog. The U.S. Post Office contracted with the expedition for this purpose as it had no other means to deliver mail to and from the Antarctic. Approximately 150,000 pieces of such mail went through the special Antarctic post office in 1933 to 1934. As only members of the post office were authorized to postmark and handle mail, Charles F. Anderson, a special representative of

1548-727: The American intervention in April. His next assignment was to the gunboat USS Dolphin , which also served as the yacht of the Secretary of the Navy. This assignment brought Byrd into contact with high-ranking officials and dignitaries, including then Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Roosevelt . He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) on June 8, 1915. During Byrd's assignment to Dolphin , he

1634-901: The Giovinco Ice Piedmont on the Ross Ice Shelf. It is separated from the Commonwealth Range and the Separation Range to the west by the Keltie Glacier , Pain Névé and Canyon Glacier . The Brandau Glacier and Muck Glacier define the southern boundary. The Barton Mountains and Bush Mountains are to their south. The Shanklin Glacier and the Ramsey Glacier define the east side of

1720-599: The Legion of Merit . In 1946, Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal appointed Byrd as officer in charge of Antarctic Developments Project. Byrd's fourth Antarctic expedition was code-named Operation Highjump . It was the largest Antarctic expedition to date and was expected to last 6–8 months. The expedition was supported by a large naval force (designated Task Force 68), commanded by Rear Admiral Richard H. Cruzen . Thirteen US Navy support ships (besides

1806-719: The Naval Reserve Air Station (NRAS) at Squantum Point near Boston, using an unused First World War seaplane hangar which had remained more-or-less intact after the Victory Destroyer Plant shipyard was built on the site. NRAS Squantum was commissioned on August 15, 1923, and is considered to have been the first air base in the Naval Reserve program. Byrd commanded the aviation unit of the arctic expedition to North Greenland led by Donald B. MacMillan from June to October 1925. Although

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1892-554: The New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition (1961–62) for C. Reginald Ford, Stores Officer for Scott's British National Antarctic Expedition (1901–04). 84°49′S 174°35′E  /  84.817°S 174.583°E  / -84.817; 174.583 . A high, snow-covered mesa, some 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) across and rising to 3,390 metres (11,120 ft) high, located south of Mount Odishaw, between

1978-733: The United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) in 1944 to 1945. On February 10, 1945, Byrd received the Order of Christopher Columbus from the government of the Dominican Republic . Byrd was present at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. He was released from active duty on October 1, 1945. In recognition of his service during World War II, Byrd received two awards of

2064-518: The Virginia (Byrd's birth state). A base camp named " Little America " was constructed on the Ross Ice Shelf , and scientific expeditions by snowshoe , dog sled , snowmobile , and airplane began. To increase the interest of youth in arctic exploration, a 19-year-old American Boy Scout , Paul Allman Siple , was chosen to accompany the expedition. Siple went on to earn a doctorate and

2150-599: The Atlantic Ocean. Byrd was one of several aviators who attempted to win the Orteig Prize in 1927 for making the first nonstop flight between the United States and France. Once again, Byrd named Floyd Bennett as his chief pilot, with Norwegian Bernt Balchen, Bert Acosta , and Lieutenant George Noville as other crewmembers. During a practice takeoff with Anthony Fokker at the controls and Bennett in

2236-617: The Atlantic nonstop, another 20 years were needed before it would be realized on a commercial scale. In 1928, Byrd began his first expedition to the Antarctic involving two ships and three airplanes: Byrd's flagship was the City of New York (a Norwegian sealing ship previously named Samson that had come into fame as a ship some said was in the vicinity of the Titanic when the latter

2322-625: The Atlantic nonstop, naming Balchen to replace Bennett, who had not yet fully recovered from his injuries, as chief pilot. Byrd, Balchen, Acosta, and Noville flew from Roosevelt Field, East Garden City, New York , in the America on June 29, 1927. On board was mail from the US Postal Service to demonstrate the practicality of aircraft. Arriving over France the next day, they were prevented from landing in Paris by cloud cover; they returned to

2408-805: The Baselaying Flight of Nov. 18, 1929, and surveyed by A.P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by Crary for Alan Tower Waterman , Director of the National Science Foundation, which directly supported U.S. Antarctic programs during and after the International Geophysical Year period, 1957-58. 84°32′S 177°30′E  /  84.533°S 177.500°E  / -84.533; 177.500 . A rock peak, 1,640 metres (5,380 ft) high, standing just south of Millington Glacier and 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) west of Ramsey Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for J.E. Valinski, United States Navy, radio operator on United States Navy Operation Highjump (1946–47) Flight 8, Feb. 16, 1947, when this feature

2494-577: The Baselaying Flight of Nov. 18, 1929, and surveyed by A.P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by Crary for Harry Wexler , Chief Scientist for U.S. Antarctic International Geophysical Year programs, 1957-58. 84°27′S 175°25′E  /  84.450°S 175.417°E  / -84.450; 175.417 . A massive mountain, 3,880 metres (12,730 ft) high, in the Hughes Range, standing 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) northeast of Mount Wexler. Discovered and photographed by Rear Admiral Byrd on

2580-643: The Chief of Naval Operations. The expedition continued in Antarctica without him until the last of its participants left Antarctica on March 22, 1941. As a senior officer in the United States Navy, Byrd was recalled on active duty on March 26, 1942, and served as the confidential advisor to Admiral Ernest J. King . From 1942 to 1945 he served on the South Pacific Island Base Inspection Board, which toured bases in

2666-426: The Hughes Range to the Ross Ice Shelf east of Giovinco Ice Piedmont. Named by US-ACAN for Ensign Richard Perez, United States Navy, of Squadron VX-6, Antarctic Support Activity, who participated in United States Navy. OpDFrz 1964; wintered at McMurdo Station in 1961. 84°12′S 177°12′E  /  84.200°S 177.200°E  / -84.200; 177.200 . A mountain 1,020 metres (3,350 ft) high, with

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2752-772: The Hughes Range, standing 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) southeast of Mount Wexler. Discovered and photographed by Rear Admiral Byrd on the Baselaying Flight of Nov. 18, 1929, and surveyed by A.P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by the latter for Joseph Kaplan , Chairman of the United States National Committee for the International Geophysical Year (IGY), 1957-58. 84°30′S 175°01′E  /  84.500°S 175.017°E  / -84.500; 175.017 . A prominent ice-free mountain, 4,025 metres (13,205 ft) high, standing 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) southwest of Mount Waterman. Discovered and photographed by Rear Admiral Byrd on

2838-521: The Hughes Range, standing 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) northeast of Mount Cartwright. Discovered and photographed by the USAS on Flight C of February 29-March 1, 1940, and surveyed by A.P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by Crary for Matthew J. Brennan, scientific station leader at Ellsworth Station, 1958. 84°06′S 177°00′E  /  84.100°S 177.000°E  / -84.100; 177.000 A glacier, 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) long, flowing northeast from Mount Brennan in

2924-612: The Medal of Honor on March 5, 1927, at the White House by President Calvin Coolidge . Since 1926, doubts have been raised, defenses made, and heated controversy arose over whether or not Byrd actually reached the North Pole. In 1958, Norwegian-American aviator and explorer Bernt Balchen cast doubt on Byrd's statement on the basis of his knowledge of the airplane's speed. Balchen said that Bennett had confessed to him months after

3010-551: The Navy Theodore Roosevelt Jr. , who felt the risks outweighed the potential rewards. Byrd was then assigned to the ill-fated dirigible ZR-2 (formerly known by the British designation of R-38 ). As fate would have it, Byrd missed his train to take him to the airship on August 24, 1921. The airship broke apart in midair, killing 44 of 49 crew members on board. Byrd lost several friends in the accident, and

3096-533: The Postmaster General, was assigned to the post office at Little America in Antarctica. In late 1938, Byrd visited Hamburg, and was invited to participate in the 1938/1939 German " Neuschwabenland " Antarctic Expedition, but declined. (Although Germany was not at war with the United States at this time, Adolf Hitler had been serving as Führer of the German Reich since 1934, and i nvaded Poland

3182-846: The Secretary of the Navy, the Commander-in-Chief United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations ordered Byrd to assume direction of a survey and "investigation of certain islands in the East and South Pacific in connection with national defense and commercial air bases and routes." The members of the Special Navy Mission sailed from Balboa, Canal Zone, on USS Concord , Captain Irving Reynold Chambers, commanding, in September 1943. A large explosion at sea on October 7, 1943, took

3268-634: The South Pacific in May and June 1942. The report submitted by the Board describes conditions found at each base and analyses, lessons learned in planning and equipping these bases. The report contains recommendations applicable to the individual bases and others designed to be helpful in the planning of future advanced bases. On 1 September 1943, in compliance with a series of letters from the President to

3354-489: The U.S. National Academy of Sciences, which actively supported Antarctic operations during the 1957-58 IGY period. 84°23′00″S 175°26′00″E  /  84.3833333°S 175.4333333°E  / -84.3833333; 175.4333333 . A flat, ice-covered plateau that rises to 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) high between Mount Waterman, Mount Cartwright, and Mount Bronk in the central Hughes Range. The plateau trends north–south for 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) and

3440-654: The U.S. exchange IGY scientists, who wintered at the Soviet Mirnyy Station, 1957. 84°12′S 177°50′E  /  84.200°S 177.833°E  / -84.200; 177.833 . A wide glacier draining the east slopes of Hughes Range between Mount Brennan and Mount Waterman and flowing northeast to enter the Ross Ice Shelf to the east of Mount Reinhardt. Discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) on Flight C of February 29-March 1, 1940, and named by US-ACAN, on

3526-594: The United States Navy. On July 14, 1912, he was assigned to the battleship USS Wyoming . During service in the Caribbean Sea, Byrd received his first letter of commendation, and later a Silver Lifesaving Medal , for twice plunging fully clothed to the rescue of a sailor who had fallen overboard. In April 1914, he transferred to the armored cruiser USS Washington and served in Mexican waters in June following

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3612-626: The United States from the Arctic, Byrd became a national hero. He was thrown a parade in New York City, and Congress passed a special act on December 21, 1926, promoting him to the rank of commander and awarding both Floyd Bennett and him the Medal of Honor . The Josephine Ford was flown around the country in celebration. Bennett was promoted to the warrant officer rank of machinist. Byrd and Bennett were presented with Tiffany Cross versions of

3698-590: The armistice in November. In that assignment, he was promoted to the permanent rank of lieutenant and the temporary rank of lieutenant commander. For his services during the war, he received a letter of commendation from Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels , which was after World War II converted to a Navy Commendation Medal . After the war, Byrd volunteered to be a crew member in the U.S. Navy's 1919 aerial transatlantic crossing. This mission

3784-548: The co-pilot seat, the Fokker Trimotor airplane, America , crashed, severely injuring Bennett and slightly injuring Byrd. As the plane was being repaired, Charles Lindbergh won the prize by completing his historic flight on May 21, 1927. (Coincidentally, in 1925, then Army Air Service Reserve Corps Lieutenant Charles Lindbergh had applied to serve as a pilot on Byrd's North Pole expedition, but apparently, his bid came too late.) Byrd continued with his quest to cross

3870-428: The coast of Normandy and crash-landed near the beach at Ver-sur-Mer (known as Gold Beach during the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944) without fatalities on July 1, 1927. In France, Byrd and his crew were received as heroes and Byrd was invested as an Officer of the French Legion of Honor by Prime Minister Raymond Poincare on July 6. After their return to the United States, an elaborate dinner in their honor

3956-418: The east wall of Haynes Table. Discovered and photographed by United States Navy Operation Highjump on Flight 8A of February 16, 1947. Named by US-ACAN for Commander Clifford M. Campbell, United States Navy, senior officer on this flight. 84°42′S 174°54′E  /  84.700°S 174.900°E  / -84.700; 174.900 . A high, prominent mountain, 3,965 metres (13,009 ft) high, forming

4042-446: The expedition was largely unsuccessful (they did not in fact reach the pole) Byrd's efforts and the successful contributions of the aviation element during the expedition led to Byrd's renown as a pioneer of aircraft in exploration. During this expedition, Byrd made the acquaintance of Navy Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Bennett and Norwegian pilot Bernt Balchen , both of whom would later contribute to Byrd's expeditions. Bennett served as

4128-428: The expedition. In addition to Ford contributions, John D. Rockefeller also notably provided funding for the expedition. The flight left from Spitsbergen (Svalbard) and returned to its takeoff airfield, lasting 15 hours and 57 minutes, including 13 minutes spent circling at their Farthest North . Byrd and Bennett said they reached the North Pole, a distance of 1,535 miles (1,335 nautical miles ). When he returned to

4214-478: The first Earth satellite. Kaplan was a member of the National Academy of Sciences , a fellow of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences , chairman of the U.S. National Committee for the International Geophysical Year , the founder and first director of the Institute of Geophysics at the University of California (later known as the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics), an aerospace adviser to Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon ,

4300-520: The flagship USS  Mount Olympus and the aircraft carrier USS  Philippine Sea ), six helicopters, six flying boats, two seaplane tenders, and 15 other aircraft were used. The total number of personnel involved was over 4,000. Joseph Kaplan Joseph Kaplan (September 8, 1902 – October 3, 1991) was a Hungarian-born American physicist. Kaplan was notable for his studies of atmospheric phenomena, for his international activities in geophysics . Kaplan also participated in efforts to launch

4386-437: The flight of the airship Norge that flew from Spitsbergen (Svalbard) to Alaska nonstop with a crew including Roald Amundsen , Umberto Nobile , Oscar Wisting , and Lincoln Ellsworth . In 1927, Byrd announced he had the backing of the American Trans-Oceanic Company , which had been established in 1914 by department-store magnate Rodman Wanamaker for the purpose of building aircraft to complete nonstop flights across

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4472-452: The flight that Byrd and he had not reached the pole. Bennett, who had not completely healed from the early crash, developed pneumonia after participating in a flight to rescue downed German aviators in Greenly Island, Canada, leading to his death on April 25, 1928. Bennett, though, had started a memoir, given numerous interviews, and wrote an article for an aviation magazine about the flight before his death that all confirmed Byrd's version of

4558-427: The flight. The 1996 release of Byrd's diary of the May 9, 1926, flight revealed erased (but still legible) sextant sights that sharply differ from Byrd's later June 22 typewritten official report to the National Geographic Society. Byrd took a sextant reading of the Sun at 7:07:10 GCT. His erased diary record shows the apparent (observed) solar altitude to have been 19°25'30", while his later official typescript reports

4644-484: The funding needed to finance Byrd's expedition to the Antarctic. The expedition, via the Post Office, sold philatelic subscription Philatelic covers to be serviced at the official USPOD post office set up in the Antarctic exploration base , dubbed Little America , and which was officially established on October 6, 1933. All mail sent to the Antarctic required at least one Byrd II 3 cent stamp (pictured), along with sufficient postage amounting to 53 cents. The postage stamp

4730-501: The head of Brandau Glacier. Named by US-ACAN in association with Husky Dome (q.v), the highest point on these heights. 84°54′S 176°17′E  /  84.900°S 176.283°E  / -84.900; 176.283 . A snow dome rising to 3,580 metres (11,750 ft) high, marking the highest point of Husky Heights, between the heads of Brandau Glacier and Ramsey Glacier. Named by New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition 1961-62, after their Husky dogs which they drove to

4816-502: The heads of Keltie Glacier and Brandau Glacier. Discovered and photographed by United States Navy Squadron VX-6 on the flight of Jan. 12-13, 1956. Named by United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for B.C. Haynes, meteorologist of the U.S. Weather Bureau on United States Navy Operation Highjump 1946-47. 84°46′S 174°55′E  /  84.767°S 174.917°E  / -84.767; 174.917 . A line of high, precipitous cliffs, mostly snow covered, forming

4902-413: The lives of 24 Concord crewmen, including the executive officer, Commander Rogers Elliott. Caused by ignition of gasoline fumes at the stern of the ship, the explosion threw some men overboard, while others were killed from concussion, burns, fractured skulls and broken necks. Several sailors died while trying to save their shipmates. The dead were buried at sea on October 8. On October 23, 1943, Byrd wrote

4988-412: The men at the base camp, who then attempted to go to Advance Base. The first two trips were failures due to darkness, snow, and mechanical troubles. Finally, Thomas Poulter , E. J. Demas , and Amory Waite arrived at Advance Base, where they found Byrd in poor physical health. The men remained at Advance Base until October 12. when an airplane from the base camp picked up Dr. Poulter and Byrd. The rest of

5074-466: The men returned to base camp with the tractor. This expedition is described by Byrd in his autobiography Alone . During the summer months the days were long and the evenings existed in twilight. Inside the exploration headquarters Byrd had fashioned a large calendar on the wall, where he would cross off each day as it passed. A CBS radio station, KFZ, was set up on the base camp ship, the Bear of Oakland and The Adventures of Admiral Byrd program

5160-429: The mission. Of the three flying boats (NC-1, NC-3, and NC-4) that started from Newfoundland, only Lieutenant Commander Albert Read 's NC-4 completed the trip on May 18, 1919, achieving the first transatlantic flight. In 1921, Byrd volunteered to attempt a solo nonstop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, prefiguring Charles Lindbergh 's historic flight by six years. Byrd's ambition was dashed by then acting Secretary of

5246-503: The mobilization of the Rhode Island Naval Militia. He was then recalled to active duty and was assigned to the Office of Naval Operations and served in a desk job as secretary and organizer of the Navy Department Commission on Training Camps. In the autumn of 1917, he was sent to naval aviation school at Pensacola, Florida . He qualified as a naval aviator (number 608) in June 1918. He then commanded naval air forces at Naval Air Station Halifax in Nova Scotia , Canada, from July 1918 until

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5332-447: The mouth of the Good Glacier. Den Hartog and Woodall Peak are on the promontary between Good Glacier and Ramsey Glacier. Husky Heights, Sullivan Ridge and Four Ramps lie to the southeast of the range. 84°51′S 173°50′E  /  84.850°S 173.833°E  / -84.850; 173.833 . A prominent spur which marks the southwest extremity of Haynes Table, and the confluence of Keltie Glacier and Brandau Glacier. Named by

5418-409: The next year .) Byrd's third expedition was the first one financed and conducted by the United States government. The project included extensive studies of geology, biology, meteorology, and exploration. The innovative Antarctic Snow Cruiser was brought with the expedition, but broke down shortly after arriving. Within a few months, in March 1940, Byrd was recalled to active duty in the Office of

5504-411: The range. Features of the Hughes Range, from south to north, include Ford Spur, Haynes Table, Campbell Cliffs and Mount Odishaw to the south of Pain Névé. Above Pain Névé are Mount Kaplan, Mount Wexler and Mount Weterman. To the east, Mount Valinski is south of the Millington Glacier , a tributary of the Ramsey Glacier. Further north are Mount Bronk, Mount Cartwright, Mount Brennan and Mount Reinhardt at

5590-522: The rank of rear admiral by a special act of Congress on December 21, 1929. As he was only 41 years old at the time, this promotion made Byrd the youngest admiral in the history of the United States Navy. By way of comparison, none of his Annapolis classmates became admirals until 1942, after 30 years of commissioned service. He is one of only four persons including Admiral David Dixon Porter , Arctic explorer Rear Admiral Donald Baxter MacMillan and Rear Admiral Frederic R. Harris , to have been promoted to

5676-517: The rank of rear admiral in the United States Navy without having first held the rank of captain. After a further summer of exploration, the expedition returned to North America on June 18, 1930. Unlike the 1926 flight, this expedition was honored with the gold medal of the American Geographical Society . This was also seen in the film With Byrd at the South Pole (1930), which covered his trip there. Byrd, by then an internationally recognized, pioneering American polar explorer and aviator, served for

5762-404: The recommendation of R. Admiral Richard E. Byrd, for Vice Admiral Roscoe F. Good, United States Navy, who furnished assistance and support for United States Navy Operation Highjump (1946–47). 84°15′S 175°54′E  /  84.250°S 175.900°E  / -84.250; 175.900 . A dome-shaped mountain, 2,540 metres (8,330 ft) high, which is the northernmost prominent summit in

5848-400: The same 7:07:10 apparent solar altitude to have been 18°18'18". On the basis of this and other data in the diary, Dennis Rawlins concluded that Byrd steered accurately, and flew about 80% of the distance to the pole before turning back because of an engine oil leak, but later falsified his official report to support his statement of reaching the pole. Accepting that the conflicting data in

5934-438: The sextant data in the long-unavailable original official typewritten report are all expressed to 1 second, a precision not possible on Navy sextants of 1926 and not the precision of the sextant data in Byrd's diary for 1925 or the 1926 flight, which was normal (half or quarter of a minute of arc). If Byrd and Bennett did not reach the North Pole, then the first flight over the pole occurred a few days later, on May 12, 1926, with

6020-568: The south edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, about midway between the mouths of Good and Ramsey Glaciers. Discovered and photographed by the USAS on Flight C of February 29-March 1, 1940, and named by US-ACAN for Vance Woodall, Seaman, United States Navy, who lost his life in an unloading accident on United States Navy Operation Highjump, 1946-47. 84°53′S 176°00′E  /  84.883°S 176.000°E  / -84.883; 176.000 Relatively flat, ice-covered heights 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) southeast of Haynes Table, overlooking

6106-415: The summit of this feature. Richard E. Byrd Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr. (October 25, 1888 – March 11, 1957), an American naval officer , was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics. Aircraft flights in which he served as a navigator and expedition leader crossed the Atlantic Ocean, a segment of the Arctic Ocean, and a segment of the Antarctic Plateau . He

6192-510: The typed report's flight times indeed require both northward and southward ground speeds greater than the flight's 85-mph airspeed , a Byrd defender posits a westerly-moving anticyclone that tailwind-boosted Byrd's ground speed on both outward and inward legs, allowing the distance said to be covered in the time stated (the theory is based on rejecting handwritten sextant data in favor of typewritten alleged dead-reckoning data ). This suggestion has been challenged by Dennis Rawlins, who adds that

6278-637: The west side of the mouth of Ramsey Glacier, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) southeast of Woodall Peak. Discovered and photographed by the USAS on Flight C of February 29-March 1, 1940, and surveyed by A.P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by Crary for Stephen Den Hartog, who was glaciologist on the Victoria Land Traverse Party (1958–59), and wintered at Little America V, 1958. 84°17′S 178°38′E  /  84.283°S 178.633°E  / -84.283; 178.633 . A small rock peak, 720 metres (2,360 ft) high, close to

6364-812: Was a recipient of the Medal of Honor , the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration, and the Navy Cross , the second highest honor for valor given by the U.S. Navy. Byrd was born in Winchester, Virginia , the son of Esther Bolling (Flood) and Richard Evelyn Byrd Sr. He was a descendant of one of the First Families of Virginia . His ancestors include planter John Rolfe and his wife Pocahontas , William Byrd II of Westover Plantation , who established Richmond , as well as William Byrd I and Robert "King" Carter ,

6450-613: Was assigned as the inspector and instructor for the Rhode Island Naval Militia in Providence, Rhode Island . While serving in this position, he was commended by Brigadier General Charles W. Abbot , the adjutant general of Rhode Island, for making great strides in improving the efficiency of the militia. Shortly after the entry of the United States into the First World War in April 1917, Byrd oversaw

6536-441: Was commanded by future Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy , who served as chief of staff to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II . Byrd's last assignment before forced retirement was to the presidential yacht USS Mayflower . On March 15, 1916, Byrd, much to his frustration, was medically retired on three-quarters pay for an ankle injury he suffered on board Mayflower . Shortly thereafter, on December 14, 1916, he

6622-791: Was held in New York City on July 19. Byrd and Noville were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Secretary of the Navy Curtis D. Wilbur at the dinner. Acosta and Balchen did not receive the Distinguished Flying Cross because, at that time, it could only be awarded to members of the armed services and not to civilians. Byrd wrote an article for the August 1927 edition of Popular Science Monthly in which he accurately predicted that while specially modified aircraft with one to three crewmen would fly

6708-477: Was historic, as it was the first time the Atlantic Ocean was crossed by an aircraft. It was decided that only men who had not served overseas would be allowed on the mission. Unfortunately for Byrd, his tour of duty in Newfoundland was considered overseas service. Byrd was, however, able to make a valuable contribution, as his expertise in aerial navigation resulted in his appointment to plan the flight path of

6794-425: Was involved in the subsequent recovery operations and investigation. The accident affected him deeply and inspired him to make safety a top priority in all of his future expeditions. Due to reductions in the Navy after the First World War, Byrd reverted to the rank of lieutenant at the end of 1921. During the summer of 1923, then-Lieutenant Byrd and a group of volunteer Navy veterans of the First World War helped found

6880-570: Was launched. Byrd, along with pilot Bernt Balchen , co-pilot/radioman Harold June , and photographer Ashley McKinley , flew the Floyd Bennett to the South Pole and back in 18 hours, 41 minutes. They had difficulty gaining enough altitude, and they had to dump empty gas tanks, as well as their emergency supplies, to achieve the altitude of the Polar Plateau, but they were ultimately successful. In November 1929, Byrd participated in

6966-635: Was more than a friend." Byrd attended the Virginia Military Institute for two years and transferred to the University of Virginia , before financial circumstances inspired his starting over and taking an appointment to the United States Naval Academy , where he was appointed as a midshipman on May 28, 1908. On June 8, 1912, Byrd graduated from the Naval Academy and was commissioned an ensign in

7052-461: Was photographed from the air. 84°24′S 175°46′E  /  84.400°S 175.767°E  / -84.400; 175.767 . A snow-covered mountain, 3,530 metres (11,580 ft) high, standing 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) northeast of Mount Waterman. Discovered and photographed by Rear Admiral Byrd on the baselaying flight of Nov. 18, 1929, and surveyed by A.P. Crary in 1957-58. Named by Crary for Detlev Bronk , President of

7138-415: Was probably the only person, other than Byrd himself, to participate in all five of Byrd's Antarctic expeditions. Photographic expeditions and geological surveys were undertaken for the duration of that summer, and constant radio communications were maintained with the outside world. After their first winter, their expeditions were resumed, and on November 28, 1929, the first flight to the South Pole and back

7224-517: Was quoted in the New York Times saying that "during the next fifty years industrial burning of coal, oil and gas will produce 1,700 billion tons of new carbon dioxide. If all this carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere, the slight general warming that has occurred in northern latitudes may be intensified." Kaplan was born in Tapolca , Hungary , into a Jewish family, in 1902. In 1910 at

7310-492: Was short-waved to Buenos Aires, then relayed to New York. Sponsored by General Foods , the broadcasts aired on Saturday nights at 10:00 pm and reached #16 on the Hooper rating for the 1933-34 broadcast season, reaching an average audience of 19.1 million. Byrd's Antarctic expedition prompted President Roosevelt and the U.S. Postmaster General to honor the event in 1933 on a U.S. commemorative stamp which greatly helped raise

7396-611: Was sinking) and the Eleanor Bolling (named after Byrd's mother); a Ford Trimotor airplane called the Floyd Bennett (named after the recently deceased pilot of Byrd's previous expeditions) flown by Dean Smith ; a Fairchild FC-2W2 , NX8006, built 1928, named Stars And Stripes (now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum 's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center ); and a Fokker Super Universal monoplane called

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