Details
REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD (1888-1957)
A typed and signed letter of instructions from the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, date stamped 18 April 1925, to 'Lieutenant Commander R.E.Byrd, U.S.Navy (Ret.). Via: Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics' in 9 numbered paragraphs. '1. You are hereby directed to organize and assume command of the Naval Flying Unit to accompany and cooperate with the 1925 Polar Expedition of Mr. Donald B. MacMillan..... 4. The Department desires that you cooperate with the Expedition to the fullest extent to further its mission, which mission in relation to the Naval effort is defined to be: To investigate and explore any unexplored region lying between the North Pole and Point Barrow and Axel Heiberg land, and any other unexplored territory which in your judgement may appear to be advisable to investigate..' Further paragraphs note that expenses are to be paid by the Expedition once the flying unit is aboard the ship taking them north, and that Byrd is to return to Washington and resume his duties in the Bureau of Aeronautics at the end of the expedition. With the additional typed endorsement and autograph signature of Rear Admiral Moffat, date stamped 21 April 1925, 2 pages, 4to (26.5 x 20cm). Provenance: Estate of Marie A. Byrd (sale: Sotheby's 15 December 1988, part of lot 161).
A LANDMARK DOCUMENT IN BYRD'S CAREER AS A POLAR EXPLORER AND AVIATOR. These orders to participate in the U.S.Navy-MacMillan expedition of 1924-1925 mark the start of a series of highly successful expeditions between 1925 and 1955. Poor weather during August meant that there were only 3¾ days that were good for flying. Despite this, the three planes flew more than 5000 miles, a great deal of it over completely unknown territory. Byrd is best remembered for for his 15½-hour flight over the North Pole with Floyd Bennett in 1926 (for which both were awarded the Medal of Honor) and his 1927 19-hour flight over the South Pole with three companions.
A typed and signed letter of instructions from the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, date stamped 18 April 1925, to 'Lieutenant Commander R.E.Byrd, U.S.Navy (Ret.). Via: Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics' in 9 numbered paragraphs. '1. You are hereby directed to organize and assume command of the Naval Flying Unit to accompany and cooperate with the 1925 Polar Expedition of Mr. Donald B. MacMillan..... 4. The Department desires that you cooperate with the Expedition to the fullest extent to further its mission, which mission in relation to the Naval effort is defined to be: To investigate and explore any unexplored region lying between the North Pole and Point Barrow and Axel Heiberg land, and any other unexplored territory which in your judgement may appear to be advisable to investigate..' Further paragraphs note that expenses are to be paid by the Expedition once the flying unit is aboard the ship taking them north, and that Byrd is to return to Washington and resume his duties in the Bureau of Aeronautics at the end of the expedition. With the additional typed endorsement and autograph signature of Rear Admiral Moffat, date stamped 21 April 1925, 2 pages, 4to (26.5 x 20cm). Provenance: Estate of Marie A. Byrd (sale: Sotheby's 15 December 1988, part of lot 161).
A LANDMARK DOCUMENT IN BYRD'S CAREER AS A POLAR EXPLORER AND AVIATOR. These orders to participate in the U.S.Navy-MacMillan expedition of 1924-1925 mark the start of a series of highly successful expeditions between 1925 and 1955. Poor weather during August meant that there were only 3¾ days that were good for flying. Despite this, the three planes flew more than 5000 miles, a great deal of it over completely unknown territory. Byrd is best remembered for for his 15½-hour flight over the North Pole with Floyd Bennett in 1926 (for which both were awarded the Medal of Honor) and his 1927 19-hour flight over the South Pole with three companions.