Richard E. Byrd
American naval officer, explorer (1888–1957) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr. (October 25, 1888 – March 11, 1957), an American naval officer,[1] 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 is also known for discovering Mount Sidley, the largest dormant volcano in Antarctica.
Richard E. Byrd | |
---|---|
Birth name | Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr. |
Born | (1888-10-25)October 25, 1888 Winchester, Virginia, U.S. |
Died | March 11, 1957(1957-03-11) (aged 68) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1912–1927 1940–1947 |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Awards | |
Spouse(s) |
Marie Donaldson Ames
(m. 1915) |
Byrd claimed to be the first to reach both the North and South Poles by air. Both of his claims are now disputed by modern scholars.[2][3]
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.