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Richard E. Byrd photo by Underwood & Underwood –

Top 10 Facts about Richard E. Byrd

Admiral Richard E. Byrd and his achievements are essential to understanding the history of the polar regions and conducting scientific research there. Byrd invented the technology that would serve as the basis for contemporary polar exploration and research in his capacity as a navigational aviator. Byrd, a distinguished and well-respected hero, brought portions of the world to the public’s attention that would later serve as the focus of scientific research in a variety of fields.

Admiral Byrd also helped the government in their capacity as a naval officer by supporting and facilitating studies on polar locations and issues. Richard E. Byrd passed away in 1957, and even though he was once extremely renowned, he wasn’t well recognized throughout his later years due to the quick changes taking place in his country and the rest of the world.

However, Richard E. Byrd made a lot of accomplishments, and today, people from all around the world are reexamining his legacy. Here are the top 10 facts about the American Naval officer.

1. Byrd was born into a very prominent family

The Byrds of Virginia were a well-known American family of English ancestry. In Winchester, a little community close to the Appalachian Mountains, they made their home. A lot of individuals think they are related to Pocahontas and Captain Smith. The father of Richard E. Byrd was a politician and a country lawyer named Richard Byrd Sr. His mother, Eleanor Bolling Flood, also hailed from a well-known and affluent political family.

Richard received an invitation to travel to the Pacific island nation of the Philippines when he was 14 years old. The North Americans had acquired these islands from Spain. Byrd is supposed to have found his spirit of adventure and fallen in love with the sea around this time. He desired to explore far-off places and get as much knowledge as he could.

2. Byrd trained as an aviator

During his tenure at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola during World War I, Byrd learned to fly and became immediately enamoured with his new position.

He spent a lot of time consistently practising since he wanted to be the best pilot. As he could now combine his passion for flying with his love of adventures and expeditions, he discovered a new sense of adventure.

3. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy

U.S. Naval Academy photo sourced from

After spending two years at the Virginia Military Institute, Byrd transferred to the University of Virginia. However, due to financial difficulties, he decided to start over and accept a position at the United States Naval Academy, where he was admitted as a midshipman on May 28, 1908.

He hurt his right ankle twice while he was a student at the Naval Academy (one was by playing football and the other was while dismounting gymnastic rings during a competition). Byrd received his appointment as an ensign in the US Navy on June 8, 1912, after he graduated from the Naval Academy.

4. Richard’s expeditions began right after he graduated

U.S. Navy Lt. Com. Richard E. Byrd in front of a Vought VE-7 Bluebird seaplane photo by George Grantham Bain –

With further military promotion doubtful, Byrd left the Navy once more to pursue a career as an independent aviation pioneer. Byrd was also a wise man who understood the importance of fundraising to participate in coordinated and sophisticated expeditions. He wanted to attract affluent sponsors, fly spectacularly, and then become famous and wealthy by writing, lecturing, and selling the rights to his adventure stories.

His Arctic and early Antarctic expeditions were heavily backed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Edsel Ford. In 1925, Byrd joined Arctic veteran Donald B. MacMillan in an attempt to explore Greenland by plane, with navy and private assistance.

Discover more about John D. Rockefeller by clicking here. 

5. Byrd retired from the Navy in 1916

Future Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, who worked as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s chief of staff during World War II, was in charge of Dolphin when Byrd was assigned there. Before being pushed into retirement, Byrd’s final task was to the presidential yacht USS Mayflower.

Byrd was medically retired on March 15, 1916, with a three-quarters salary due to an ankle ailment he sustained while travelling on the Mayflower, much to his displeasure. He was appointed as the inspector and instructor for the Rhode Island Naval Militia in Providence, Rhode Island, shortly after on December 14, 1916.

6. He’s the first man credited with flying to the North Pole

U.S. Navy Lt. Com. Richard E. Byrd in 1921 photo by George Grantham Bain –

Byrd not only took the plane but also flew it all over Antarctica. Antarctica had previously been explored by the British and Norwegians before Byrd’s trip. No one had ever flown around or above this location before. People believed it was impossible to do so, and that if they did, they would likely discover dinosaurs or lost cultures. There were many myths surrounding this location, which piqued Byrd’s interest, especially given the possibility of what he may discover.

They flew to Antarctica in the disassembled plane, and the Ross Ice Shelf put them back together. Byrd also decided to establish Little America, a small settlement, on the Antarctic ice. Being extremely proud of his mission, Richard Byrd also flew some American flags there, which is an intriguing truth about him.

They never landed at the South Pole, however, and instead, they flew all over what they thought was the South Pole. In addition, Byrd gained notoriety when he threw some stones from Floyd Bennett’s tomb, a buddy who had joined him on the North Pole Expedition.

7. He was promoted to captain in 1928

In Providence, Rhode Island, Byrd was tasked with overseeing training and serving as an inspector for the Rhode Island Naval Militia. He was given praise while holding this position by Brigadier General Charles W. Abbot, the Rhode Island adjutant general, for significantly boosting the effectiveness of the militia. On April 25, 1928, he was promoted to captain by the act of the Rhode Island General Assembly in honour of his flight to the North Pole in 1926.

8. Byrd is known for discovering Mount Sidley

Mount Sidley – Antarctica’s Tallest Volcano photo by Landsat 8 / NASA –

He is credited with discovering Mount Sidley, Antarctica’s largest dormant volcano. Mount Sidley is Antarctica’s highest dormant volcano and a member of the Volcanic Seven Summits, with a peak elevation of 4,181-4,285 meters. It is the highest of the five volcanic mountains that make up Marie Byrd Land’s Executive Committee Range. It is a massive, mostly snow-covered shield volcano.

Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd discovered the peak during an aviation trip on November 18, 1934, and named it after Mabelle E. Sidley, the daughter of William Horlick, a contributor to the 1933-35 Byrd Antarctic Expedition.

9. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor

Navy secretary presents medal to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Washington, D.C., Oct. 15 photo by Harris & Ewing, photographer –

He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest honour bestowed by the United States for valour. Admiral Byrd was one of the most decorated officers in United States Navy history. He is most likely the only person to have received the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Life Saving Medal.

He was also one of just a few people to receive all three Antarctic expedition medals awarded before World War II. The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the highest military honour bestowed upon American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coastguardsmen who have distinguished themselves through acts of courage.

10. He’s the only person to have three ticker-tape parades in New York City

Lieutenant Commander Richard E. Byrd and his wife Marie photo by Harris & Ewing, photographer –

Only Admiral Byrd had three ticker-tape parades in New York City (in 1926, 1927, and 1930) as an honour. Only four American military leaders in history, including Byrd, were permitted to have their images on their medals. As his image appears on both the first and second Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medals, Byrd was the only American entitled to display two medals bearing his image.

Click here to read about the most famous people from Virginia.