REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 09/01/1931 - HFSID 1643
Price: $700.00
RICHARD E. BYRD
The Admiral presents the Congressional Medal to a member of his
expeditions.
Typed Letter signed: "R.E. Byrd", 1 page, 8x10. West
Tremont, Maine, 1931 September 1. To Ralph F. Shropshire, Buffalo Museum of
Science, Buffalo, N.Y. Begins: "Dear Shrop: It is with great delight that I
present to you this Congressional Medal (not present). You gave many
months of your life towards making our expedition successful...." On May 23,
1930, a Joint Resolution of Congress authorized "the presentation of medals
to the officers and men of the Byrd Antarctic expedition...to express the high
admiration in which the Congress and the American people hold their heroic and
undaunted services in connection with the scientific investigations and
extraordinary aerial explorations of the Antarctic Continent, under the personal
direction of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, said medals to be suitably
inscribed." There are no people listed in this Act except for Rear Admiral
Richard E. Byrd. He personally chose those who would receive the medals. With
this letter, RALPH F. SHROPSHIRE (1903-1968) received one of the 67
medals minted, appropriately sent to him by Admiral Byrd. Byrd
(1888-1957, born in Winchester, Virginia) made the first of his four
expeditions to Antarctica between 1928 and 1930, during which time he
established the "Little America" base and became the first man to fly
over both the North and South Poles. Subsequent expeditions were made
between 1933 and 1935 and between 1939 and 1941. Byrd detailed his adventures
in books and on the lecture circuit following his returns to the U.S. Proceeds
from his books and talks were used to finance additional expeditions, which
continued through 1956. Byrd, who discovered Marie Byrd Land and the
Edsel Ford Mountains, was given the honorary title, "Mayor of
Antarctica". Creased. Minor stains at blank left and right margins. Soiled
on verso. Folds, none touch signature. 2 pinhead-size holes at cross folds, not
touching text (all intact). Otherwise, fine condition.
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