Born into an aristocratic Virginia family in 1888, Richard E. Byrd served in and worked with the Navy for nearly 45 yeras to become one of the most active explorers of the Antarctic. Byrd began his career after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1912, when he learned to fly and explored the world. Byrd went on to gain international fame and recognition for his dedication to researching and preserving the unique environment in Antarctica.
Byrd's
desire to fly to the North Pole began after World War I during a Navy reconnaissance
mission to Greenland. After establishing himself as a naval aviator, Byrd
set his sights on the Pole. After some failed attempts and money problems
(he
sought financial assistance from the private sector, including Orville
Wright), he with Floyd Bennett flew over the North Pole on May 9, 1926.
From the time they arrived back at the airfield, skeptics voiced their doubts
about his achievement. Both men were awarded the Medal
of Honor after their return to the United States for this achievement.
Shortly after this feat, to which he met with major acclaim, Byrd turned his attention to the opposite Pole and the continent of Antarctica.
Byrd
turned his attention to Antarctica by 1928. During the remaining years of
his life he was involved in five expeditions to Antarctica. These explorations
accounted for the discovery of hundreds of thousands of square miles of territory
which were claimed for the United States, and established a base called “Little
America.” Soon after establishing the base, Byrd flew over the South
Pole on November 29, 1928 with Bernt Balchen. After 14 months on the ice,
Byrd and his men headed for home. Upon arrival back in the US, Byrd was once
again given a hero's welcome. The Navy promoted him to the rank of Rear Admiral.
As he had done in
previous expeditions, Byrd secured the funding for a second Antarctic expedition
by 1933 with outside sponsors while keeping the blessing of the Navy. The
CBS radio network allowed a weekly broadcast from Antarctica and General Foods
promoted their products through the expedition.
One goal of this expedition was to collect meteorological data from the interior of the continent. Initially envisioned as a three-person task, Byrd felt that he could not ask others to undertake such a dangerous mission. This exploit nearly cost him his life. Suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, and barely coherent, Byrd had to be rescued by a Little American crew that was nearly unable to make the 123 mile trek to his 9' by 13' hut. Byrd returned to Little America a weakened man.
After surviving this incredible ordeal Byrd traveled around the United States, and became a popular speaker.The speaking engagements also helped Byrd meet future sponsors and keep the subject of Antarctic exploration on the minds of those during the Great Depression. Peek inside his hut.
Byrd
remained a promoter of Antarctic exploration until and after World War II.
He merged his plans for a third private expedition with governmental plans
and became the commanding officer of the new United States Antarctic Service.
With the onset of World War II he returned to active service where he led
base site survey teams in the South Pacific.
After WWII, from 1946-47, Byrd was instrumental in the Navy's Operation Highjump that charted most of the Antarctic coastline and Operation Deep Freeze I that prepared a permanent research station in Antarctica. The expedition transpired over the Antarctic summer of November 1955 to April 1956.
In his final years, Byrd served the nation as Officer in Charge of United States Antarctic Programs. This responsibility gave him authority to coordinate government supported scientific, logistical, and political work in Antarctica.
Admiral Byrd remained an influential figure in polar research until his death in 1957. Byrd, along with fellow explorers Charles Wilkes, Robert Peary, and Matthew Henson are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
