In Honor of Memorial Day

National Science Foundation
Office of Polar Programs
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22230

Posted May 25, 2018

Image: U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy personnel with Operation Highjump (1946-47)-- the largest U.S. naval expedition to Antarctica--salute the stars and stripes. Highjump was organized by Adm. Richard E. Byrd and led by Rear Adm. Richard Cruzen.

Three navy fliers gave their lives in December 1946 as part of Highjump. Navy personnel also died in tractor accidents as part of Operation Deep Freeze in the late 1950's.

The 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard; aircrews from jointbaselewismcchord.com; personnel of the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area; from the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group and other units continue to play a vital role in modern Antarctic research through the current Deep Freeze, which is the military's logistical contribution to the civilian-run U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). The National Science Foundation manages the USAP under a Presidential Mandate dating to the 1980's: https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/ant/memo_6646.jsp