REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/15/1956 - HFSID 83130

RICHARD E. BYRD
The explorer writes a letter to a friend, regretfully informing him that he is unable to attend a dinner, but asks if he may send his son-in-law to represent him
Typed letter signed: "Richard E. Byrd", in blue ink, 1 page, 8x10½. United States Antarctic Expedition. Boston, Massachusetts. November 15, 1956. In full: "Dear Mr. Gutterman: Pursuant to my letter of October 30, I am sorry to have to inform you that my official schedule has shaped up in a manner which makes it impossible for me to fly across the Continent for your dinner on December 3. Does your program call for absentee representation? If it does, I could probably arrange to be represented by my son-in-law, Mr. Robert Breyer of Los Angeles. With all best wishes for the success of your function, Sincerely". On May 9, 1926, Richard Evelyn Byrd (1888-1957) and Floyd Bennett became the first to fly over the North Pole. Both were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Scholars have raised questions about whether or not Byrd actually reached the North Pole but all have agreed Byrd thought he had reached the North Pole. In 1929, Byrd established the "Little America" Antarctica base and flew (indisputably) over the South Pole. He was promoted to Rear Admiral upon his return in 1930. On his Antarctic expeditions in the 1930s, Byrd discovered Marie Byrd Land and the Edsel Ford Mountains. Still exploring in his late 60s, he commanded the Operation High Jump (1946-1947) and Operation Deep Freeze (1955-1956) operations. Normal mailing folds. Fine condition.