1888-1957

American Naval Officer, Polar Explorer, and Aviator

Richard Evelyn Byrd was an American naval officer, polar explorer, and aviator who is best known for his contributions to polar exploration. He is credited for being the first to fly over the North Pole and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for this feat. However, there is considerable debate whether he actually reached the North Pole on that flight. Later, he participated in the first airplane flight over the South Pole. Throughout his life, Byrd made significant contributions to the areas of science and exploration. He had a tremendous ability for organization and made extensive use of technology on his explorations that served as a model for future endeavors. Byrd invented instruments that had application to his journeys and these greatly advanced the area of aerial navigation. Despite his controversial flight over the...