Voting Station

Richard E. Byrd

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Explorer

The Resume

    (October 25, 1888-March 11, 1957)
    Born in Winchester, Virginia
    US Navy admiral, aviator and polar explorer
    Claimed to be the first person to fly to the North Pole (May 9, 1926)
    Headed five expeditions in Antarctica (1928-30,1933-35,1939-40,1946-47,1955-56)
    Received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Navy Cross
    Brother of US Senator Harry F. Byrd

Why he might be annoying:

    The 'E' stood for 'Evelyn.'
    He won the Medal of Honor for a non-combat achievement.
    A 1996 analysis of data in his diary strongly suggested that he never reached the North Pole, but instead turned back shortly after covering 3/4 of the distance when his plane developed an oil leak.
    He attempted to win the Ortieg Prize for the first non-stop flight between the US and France, but crashed during a practice take off.
    While his plane was being repaired, Charles Lindbergh beat him to the prize.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He served as a US Navy pilot in World War I.
    During World War II, he surveyed remote islands in the Pacific for airfields, was cited for meritorious service, and was invited to the Japanese surrender ceremony.
    He headed five Antarctic expeditions without losing a man.
    While spending five months alone manning a meteorological station, he narrowly avoided death from carbon monoxide poisoning from a malfunctioning stove (1934).
    He was the first (and through 2009 only) individual honored by New York City with three ticker tape parades.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 11 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 218 Votes: 82.11% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 15 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 123 Votes: 51.22% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 104 Votes: 34.62% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 109 Votes: 53.21% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 88 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 10 Votes: 40.0% Annoying