Fort Myer in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
1. Richard Evelyn Byrd Marker
Please note the photographic pun. There is a bird perched on the head of Admiral Byrd.
October 25, 1888 - March 11, 1957
Upon the bright globe he carved
his signature of courage
Erected by The National Geographic Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1971.
Location. 38° 53.015′ N, 77° 3.947′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Fort Myer. It is on Memorial Drive near Jefferson Davis Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Myer VA 22211, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arlington National Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 101st Airborne Division (about 300 feet away); "Price of Freedom" (about 300 feet away); 4th Infantry (Ivy) Division (about 400 feet away); Seabees ~ Can Do (about 400 feet away); Armored Forces (about 500 feet away); The Hiker (about 600 feet away); Bridge to Peace (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
this page online
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
2. Panel on Left Side of Statue
And the South Pole 1929
A Pioneer Conqueror of the Atlantic by Air 1927
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
3. Panel on Right Side of Statue
five Antarctic expeditions 1928 - 1957
which revealed the secrets of
half the great white continent
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2013
4. Richard Evelyn Byrd
October 25, 1888 ● March 11, 1957
Upon the Bright Globe He Carved His Signature of Courage
Erected By National Geographic Society
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 2, 2015
5. Richard Evelyn Byrd Marker, reverse side
Awarded
Congressional Medal of Honor 1927
Navy Cross 1930
Distinguished Service Medal 1926, 1940
Legion of Merit 1944, 1945
Distinguished Flying Cross 1927
Commendation Medal 1944
Silver Life-Saving Medal 1922
Medal of Freedom 1957
1928-1930 Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal 1930
Second (1933-1935) Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal 1936
1939-1941 United States Antarctic Expedition Medal 1945
Antarctic Service Medal 1946-1947, 19555-1957 1960
National Geographic Society Hubbard Medal 1926
Geographic Society of Chicago Helen Culver Gold Medal 1926
Geographical Society of Philadelphia Elisha Kent Kane Medal 1926
Smithsonian Institution Langley Gold Medal for Aerodromics 1929
American Geographical Society David Livingstone Centenary Medal 1929
Geographic Society of Chicago Gold Medal 1930
National Geographical Society Special Medal of Honor 1930
Honored by many countries for his explorations and heroism
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2013
6. Arctic Region
And the South Pole 1929.
A Pioneer Conqueror of the Atlantic by Air 1927
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2013
7. Antarctic Region
Five Antarctic Expeditions 1928-1957
Which Revealed the Secrets of
Half the Great White Continent
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2013
8. Richard Evelyn Byrd Statue
Felix de Weldon's 1959 statue of Admiral Byrd shows him pitting his will power against the polar elements and envisioning the scientific accomplishments of the future (F. W. de Weldon quoted by Goode, 1974.) The 1961 dedication ceremony featured Secretary of the Navy Connolly, Vice President Lyndon Johnson, the admiral's brother Senator Harry Flood Byrd of Virginia, and Melville Bell Grosvenor of the National Geographic Society.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2013
9. Felix de Weldon, sc.
Felix de Weldon signed the sculpture on the admiral's boot. De Weldon is best known as the sculptor of the nearby Iwo Jima Memorial.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,362 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 23, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 4. submitted on April 12, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on September 5, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 6, 7. submitted on April 12, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8, 9. submitted on April 15, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
