Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd
1888 - 1957
The Winchester native attended the Virginia Military Institute, The University of Virginia, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, 1912.
He was a pioneer aviator and Polar explorer. In 1926, he was the first to fly over the North Pole for which he was awarded the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. In 1927, with three companions, he flew the Atlantic, flight time 42 hours.
Admiral Byrd commanded five expeditions to the Antarctic to explore the unknown regions from the air. In 1929, Byrd, as navigator, with three companions, became the first to fly to the South Pole returning to his base Little America located on the face of the Ross Ice Shelf, a 19 hour flight.
In 1933, a second Byrd expedition extended the exploration of Antarctica and continued scientific observations. During the Antarctic winter of 1934, Byrd spent five months alone in a hut at a weather station named Bolling Advance Base. The base was named for his mother who lived at 326 Amherst Street, Winchester, where the Admiral was born.
Admiral Byrd commanded three subsequent expeditions and discovered and mapped 537,000 miles of Antarctic territory. He was officially cited 22 times for bravery or conspicuous conduct.
Admiral Byrd is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Dr. Jay Morton, Sculptor Commemorated July 14, 1997
Erected 1997.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 14, 1801.
Location. 39° 11.031′ N, 78° 9.801′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of North Cameron Street (Business U.S. 11) and East Boscawan Street, on the right when traveling north on North Cameron Street. Located in front of the Winchester-Frederick County Judicial Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Winchester (within shouting distance of this marker); Rouss City Hall Historical Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); The Winchester Star (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Second Battle of Winchester (about 400 feet away); Jacob H. Yost Building (about 400 feet away); George Washington's Political Career Began on this Site (about 500 feet away); Colonel James Wood (about 500 feet away); Lord Fairfax (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.
Also see . . . Richard Evelyn Byrd. Arlington National cemetery website entry (Submitted on January 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,343 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.