Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Commander Richard Evenly Byrd, Jr. (NSN: 0-7918), United States Navy, for distinguishing himself conspicuously by courage and intrepidity at the risk of his life on 9 May 1926, in demonstrating that it is possible for aircraft to travel in continuous flight from a now inhabited portion of the earth over the North Pole and return.