The Marshall Archipelago ( 77°0′S 148°30′W / 77.000°S 148.500°W / -77.000; -148.500 ( Marshall Archipelago ) ) is an extensive group of large ice-covered islands within the Sulzberger Ice Shelf , Antarctica.
87-749: Several of the islands in the Marshall Archipelago were discovered and plotted by the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions (ByrdAE; 1928–30 and 1933–35) and by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS; 1939–41), all led by Admiral Richard E. Byrd . The full extent of the archipelago was mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photographs between 1959 and 1965. The name
174-578: 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
261-690: 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
348-577: 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
435-402: 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
522-601: A range of ice-capped mountains trending northwest–southeast for about 25 nautical miles (46 km; 29 mi) and forming the southwest wall of Hammond Glacier , in the Ford Ranges of Marie Byrd Land , Antarctica. Download coordinates as: The Haines Mountains run southeast from Court Ridge, which extends into the Sulzberger Ice Shelf along the side of the Hammond Glacier to the head of
609-605: 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,
696-584: A segment of the Antarctic Plateau . He 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
783-622: 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
870-567: 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
957-596: 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
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#17327870973131044-463: 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
1131-727: 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
1218-603: The Byrd Antarctic Expedition (ByrdAE) in 1934, and named for William C. Haines, the meteorologist of the Byrd expeditions of 1928–30 and 1933–35. 77°28′S 146°48′W / 77.467°S 146.800°W / -77.467; -146.800 . A peak in the north end of the Haines Mountains. Probably first seen on aerial flights from Little America base by the ByrdAE (1928-30). Named by
1305-726: The Denfeld Mountains and then runs northwest along the southern edge of the Guest Peninsula . The seaward side extends in a generally northeast direction from the tip of the Reeves Peninsula to the tip of the Guest Peninsula. The seaward side forms the shore of Sulzberger Bay . Islands in the southwest include Kizer Island, Cronenwett Island, Orr Island, Grinder Island, Madden Island, Moody Island, Przybyszewski Island and Steventon Island. Islands in
1392-599: 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
1479-719: 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
1566-411: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Lawrence A. Buennagel, geomagnetist/seismologist at Byrd Station, 1968. 77°31′S 146°30′W / 77.517°S 146.500°W / -77.517; -146.500 . A rock spur between Alexander Peak and Mount Ronne, on the east side of the Haines Mountains. Mapped by
1653-733: 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
1740-518: 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
1827-813: The 1966-67 and 1968-69 seasons. 77°20′S 146°52′W / 77.333°S 146.867°W / -77.333; -146.867 . Low, ice-drowned ridge extending to Sulzberger Ice Shelf from the northwest extremity of the Haines Mountains. Discovered by members of the ByrdAE on the Northeast Flight of 15-16 December 1934. Named for Arnold Court, meteorologist at the West Base of the USAS (1939-41). 77°25′S 145°30′W / 77.417°S 145.500°W / -77.417; -145.500 . A somewhat isolated mountain 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) southeast of Mount Woodward, surmounting
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#17327870973131914-599: 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
2001-617: 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
2088-625: 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
2175-639: The Byrd Station party, 1966. 77°20′S 149°12′W / 77.333°S 149.200°W / -77.333; -149.200 . An ice-covered island 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) long, between Kizer and Steventon Islands. Named by US-ACAN for E.L. Moody, dog-driver with the ByrdAE (1933-35). 76°58′S 148°45′W / 76.967°S 148.750°W / -76.967; -148.750 . An ice-covered island 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) long. It lies 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) east of Cronenwett Island in
2262-1549: The ByrdAE, 1928-30. Named by US-ACAN for Lieutenant T.H. Vollmer, United States Navy, engineering officer aboard USS Glacier along this coast, 1961-62. 76°47′S 148°53′W / 76.783°S 148.883°W / -76.783; -148.883 . An ice-covered island 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) long, lying 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) east of Vollmer Island. Named by US-ACAN for Lieutenant (j.g.) Peter A. Hutchinson, United States Navy, Operations Officer aboard USS Glacier along this coast, 1961-62. 76°39′S 148°48′W / 76.650°S 148.800°W / -76.650; -148.800 . An ice-covered island lying between Hutchinson Island and Guest Peninsula. Named by US-ACAN for J.P. Hannah, USARP ionospheric physicist at Byrd Station in 1968. 76°37′S 147°48′W / 76.617°S 147.800°W / -76.617; -147.800 . An ice-covered island about 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) long, lying 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) west of Farmer Island. Named by US-ACAN for Lieutenant (j.g.) J.E. Morris, United States Navy Reserve, aboard USS Glacier along this coast in 1961-62. 76°38′S 147°04′W / 76.633°S 147.067°W / -76.633; -147.067 . An ice-covered island 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) long, lying 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) north of Radford Island. Named by US-ACAN for Floyd L. Farmer, SFCA, United States Navy, senior shipfitter on
2349-643: 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
2436-612: 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
2523-551: 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
2610-1022: The Para Rescue Team of United States Navy Squadron VX-6 during Operation Deep Freeze 1968. 77°34′S 149°20′W / 77.567°S 149.333°W / -77.567; -149.333 . One of the ice-covered islands in Marshall Archipelago. The island is 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) long and 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) wide and lies 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) southwest of Steventon Island. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Harry W. Grinder, aviation structural mechanic, United States Navy, of McMurdo Station, 1967. 77°27′S 149°03′W / 77.450°S 149.050°W / -77.450; -149.050 . An ice-covered island, 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) long. It lies between Moody Island and Grinder Island. Named by US-ACAN for Michael C. Madden, electrician's mate, United States Navy, of
2697-533: 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
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2784-846: 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
2871-634: 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
2958-488: The USAS (1939-41). Named by US-ACAN for Joseph T. Rucker, photographer with the ByrdAE (1928-30). 77°34′S 146°10′W / 77.567°S 146.167°W / -77.567; -146.167 . A prominent, flattish mountain which projects from the middle of the east side of the Haines Mountains. The mountain was probably first observed on aerial flights by the ByrdAE (1928-30). Named by US-ACAN for Martin Ronne who
3045-448: The USAS (1939-41). Named by US-ACAN for Willard Van der Veer , photographer with the ByrdAE (1928-30). 77°46′S 145°36′W / 77.767°S 145.600°W / -77.767; -145.600 . A nunatak which marks the southeast end of the Haines Mountains. Mapped by USAS (1939–41) and by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for John Kalafut, USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station in
3132-466: The USAS, 1939-41. Named by US-ACAN for William G. Nolan, RD1, United States Navy, Radarman aboard USS Glacier in Antarctica, 1957-58 and 1961-62. 77°14′S 147°10′W / 77.233°S 147.167°W / -77.233; -147.167 . An ice-covered island, 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) long. It lies between Nolan Island and Court Ridge. Named by US-ACAN for Michael S. Kramer, meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1968. Islands in
3219-520: The USS Glacier along this coast, 1961-62. Byrd Antarctic Expedition 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
3306-509: The United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for C.D. Alexander, a member of the ByrdAE (1933-35). 77°30′S 146°46′W / 77.500°S 146.767°W / -77.500; -146.767 . A rock peak 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) east of Alexander Peak in the north part of Haines Mountains. Mapped by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) (1939–41) and by
3393-594: 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
3480-626: 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
3567-590: 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
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3654-579: The broad ice-covered ridge between Hammond and Swope Glaciers, 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) east-southeast of Mount West. Mapped by USAS (1939-41) and by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Frank T. Midkiff, Jr., aviation machinist's mate, United States Navy, helicopter flight crewman during Operation Deep Freeze 1968. 77°35′S 144°55′W / 77.583°S 144.917°W / -77.583; -144.917 . Rock outcrops 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) southeast of Mount West on
3741-548: 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
3828-558: 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
3915-446: 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
4002-428: 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
4089-430: 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. Court Ridge The Haines Mountains ( 77°34′S 146°20′W / 77.567°S 146.333°W / -77.567; -146.333 ( Haines Mountains ) ) are
4176-437: 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
4263-452: 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
4350-427: 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
4437-484: 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
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#17327870973134524-414: The glacier. They are parallel to the Hershey Ridge , which lies to the west. Features, from north to south, include Alexander Peak, Buennagel Peak, Rucker Spur, Mount Ronne, Leach Nunatak, Keyser Nunatak, Reynolds Glacier , Mount Van der Veer and Kalafut Nunatak. Nearby features, on the east side of Hammond Glacier, include Mount West, Midkiff Rock and Murphy Rocks. The Haines Mountains were discovered by
4611-602: The ice-covered islands in Marshall Archipelago, located within Sulzberger Ice Shelf, coastal Marie Byrd Land. The feature is 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) long and lies just north of Spencer Island and 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) northeast of Steventon Island. Named by US-ACAN for Lieutenant Stuart S. Gould, United States Navy Reserve, dental officer at McMurdo Station, 1967. 77°09′S 148°04′W / 77.150°S 148.067°W / -77.150; -148.067 . A small ice-covered island, lying 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) off
4698-517: The ice-covered ridge between Hammond Glacier and Swope Glacier . Mapped by the USAS, 1939–41. The name was applied by Paul Siple, commander of the West Base of the USAS, for James E. West , the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America . Siple's first visit to Antarctica was as a member of the ByrdAE (1928-30), having been selected as an Eagle Scout for that venture. 77°28′S 145°06′W / 77.467°S 145.100°W / -77.467; -145.100 . A rock outcrop on
4785-413: 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
4872-412: 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
4959-466: 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
5046-429: 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
5133-503: 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
5220-409: 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
5307-458: The north of the archipelago include, from west to east, 76°44′S 150°30′W / 76.733°S 150.500°W / -76.733; -150.500 . An ice-covered island 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) long, lying along the edge of Sulzberger Ice Shelf, 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) northwest of Cronenwett Island. It appears that this feature was first observed and roughly mapped from aerial photographs taken by
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#17327870973135394-505: The north side of the terminus of Reynolds Glacier. Mapped by USAS (1939–41) and by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Lieutenant (j-g.) Teddy H. Keyser, United States Navy, navigator in LC-130F Hercules aircraft during Operation Deep Freeze 1968. 77°41′S 145°54′W / 77.683°S 145.900°W / -77.683; -145.900 . A mountain about 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) southeast of Mount Ronne. Mapped by
5481-472: The northeast part of Steventon Island. Named by US-ACAN for Lieutenant Michael P. Spencer, United States Navy Reserve, navigator in LC-130F Hercules aircraft during Operation Deep Freeze 1968. 77°13′S 147°24′W / 77.217°S 147.400°W / -77.217; -147.400 . An ice-covered island 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) long, lying 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) north of Court Ridge . Discovered and mapped by
5568-601: The possible fuel range of his airplane. He 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 ,
5655-522: 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
5742-517: 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
5829-400: 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
5916-438: 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
6003-509: The south part of Przybyszewski Island. Named by US-ACAN for Ruben E. Barela, aviation structural mechanic, United States Navy, of the McMurdo Station party, 1967. 77°15′S 148°15′W / 77.250°S 148.250°W / -77.250; -148.250 . A broad ice-covered island about 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) long, lying west of Court Ridge . Named by US-ACAN for Richard F. Steventon, United States Navy, Petty Officer in charge of Eights Station, 1963. Islands in
6090-590: The southeast include Thode Island, Benton Island, Gould Island, Spencer Island, Nolan Island and Kramer Island. Islands further the north include Vollmer Island, Hutchinson Island, Hannah Island, Morris Island, Farmer Island and Radford Island . Islands in the southwest of the archipelago include, from west to east, 77°16′S 150°48′W / 77.267°S 150.800°W / -77.267; -150.800 . An ice-covered island about 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) long, lying 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) southwest of Cronenwett Island at
6177-987: The southeast of the archipelago include, from west to east, 77°02′S 148°03′W / 77.033°S 148.050°W / -77.033; -148.050 . A small ice-covered island in Sulzherger Ice Shelf, located 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) northwest of Benton Island and 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) east of Przybyszewski Island. Named by US-ACAN for George C. Thode, meteorologist at Byrd Station in 1968. 77°04′S 147°53′W / 77.067°S 147.883°W / -77.067; -147.883 . An ice-covered island about 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) long, lying 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) northwest of Nolan Island in Marshall Archipelago. Named by US-ACAN for William T. Benton, BM1, United States Navy, Boatswain's Mate aboard USS Glacier along this coast, 1961-62. 77°08′S 148°05′W / 77.133°S 148.083°W / -77.133; -148.083 . One of
6264-510: 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
6351-440: The west end of Sulzberger Ice Shelf. Named for Lieutenant T.L. Kizer, United States Navy, helicopter pilot on the USS Glacier who sighted the island from the air on January 26, 1962. 77°00′S 150°00′W / 77.000°S 150.000°W / -77.000; -150.000 . A high, ice-covered island about 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) long. It lies between Vollmer Island and Steventon Island. The feature
6438-627: The western part of Sulzberger Ice Shelf. The island was charted from aircraft of the USS Glacier under Captain Edwin A. McDonald, United States Navy, in 1962. Named by him for Lieutenant (j-g-) V.A. Przybyszewski, United States Navy Reserve, helicopter pilot on the Glacier who sighted the island from the air on January 26, 1962. 77°01′S 148°52′W / 77.017°S 148.867°W / -77.017; -148.867 . A rock outcrop in
6525-613: 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
6612-441: 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
6699-658: Was first observed and roughly delineated from aerial photographs taken by the ByrdAE, 1928-30. Named by US-ACAN for Commander W.R. Cronenwett, United States Navy, Photographic Officer for Operation Deep Freeze II, 1956-57, and Public Information Officer for Task Group 43.1 during Deep Freeze 1962. 77°38′S 149°36′W / 77.633°S 149.600°W / -77.633; -149.600 . An ice-covered island 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) long, lying 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) southwest of Grinder Island. Named by US-ACAN for Lieutenant Commander Thomas E. Orr, Supply Officer and Officer-in-Charge of
6786-791: 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
6873-477: 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
6960-425: 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
7047-570: 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
7134-693: 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
7221-415: 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
7308-594: Was proposed by Admiral Byrd for General of the Army George C. Marshall , who made financial contributions as a private individual and also, on the same basis, provided advisory assistance to the Byrd expedition of 1933–35. Download coordinates as: The islands of the Marshall Archipelago are scattered throughout the Sulzberger Ice Shelf. The landward side of the ice shelf extends southeast from Howard Heights to McKinley Peak, then runs northeast to
7395-890: Was sailmaker, ski instructor, dog-driver and ice pilot with the ByrdAE (1928-30), and who had been a shipboard member of the From on Amundsen's expedition (1910-12). 77°36′S 146°25′W / 77.600°S 146.417°W / -77.600; -146.417 . A nunatak 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) west-southwest of Mount Ronne. Mapped by USAS (1939-41) and by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Edwin B. Leach, aviation electronics technician, United States Navy, Williams Field Division Chief responsible for maintenance of electronic equipment on all aircraft during Operation Deep Freeze 1967. 77°36′S 145°55′W / 77.600°S 145.917°W / -77.600; -145.917 . A large nunatak 605 metres (1,985 ft) high at
7482-492: 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
7569-611: 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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