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Published Quarterly in Pensacola, Florida USA for the Old Explorers Association Uniting All OAEs in Perpetuating the Memory of United States Involvement in Volume 17, Issue 3 Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc Jul-Sep 2017

Ice Eagles: American Aviation in Antarctica

Review by Bill Burch the present. Part 1 highlights the rise of Admiral

double DVD set produced and directed by Thomas Henderson of Richard E. Byrd from daring aviation adventurer, A‘Graceful Willows Productions’. through his success at being the first to fly over Part 1 runs for 57 minutes the in 1926, and then setting up his Part 2 Science Takes Flight runs for 61 minutes. own Antarctic expedition, heavily sponsored by This is a very informative and comprehensive documentary video the Ford Motor Company. The first BAE was record of the history of US aviation exploits in Antarctica from 1929 to scheduled to run from 1928–1930. Byrd had planned on being the first to fly in Antarctica, and ultimately over the . We are told how he was beaten to the former goal by just a few weeks when , running his own expedition took off from Deception Island and did a 1200 mile round trip over the Antarctic continent, on 15 December 1926. This is but one example of how much detail is built into the story narrated by John Romeo, and cleverly woven through a series of expert commentators, among them; David Bresnahan, National Science Foundation Representative for Antarctica 1972–2007; Wendell Summers, Lt Commander USN and former R4D Pilot ‘ 1946–47; Dian O. Belanger, Historian, author of Deep Freeze; several of the pilots and support crew involved with individual events, and John Stewart, Historian, Author of Antarctica: An Encyclopedia’ who credits Admiral E Byrd with ‘Opening up Antarctica via the aeroplane’. We learn too about the role the ship, Wyatt Earp, played in support of different expeditions, and Byrd’s initiating the use of Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) rocket bottles fixed to the side of the fuselage to give sufficient thrust for the R4D aircraft (Navy version of the DC-3) to take-off from an aircraft carrier. The story unfolds predominantly as voices over a large collection of movie clips and still pictures. Part 1 concludes with the detailed history of Operation Highjump, 1946–47, interleaved with the privately run Ronne expedition 1946–48 with all its personality Continued on page 4 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 17, I S S U E 3 J U L  S E P 2 0 1 7

P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O R N E R

Ed Hamblin—OAEA President GROWLERS & BERGY BYTES

TO ALL OAEs—First off, I hope any of Feature Stories, Odds & Ends, Collected, Compiled, our members that live in Florida and Texas Edited, & Written by Billy-Ace Penguin Baker didn’t suffer any major damages from the 2 Page recent hurricanes. I got second hand from Cover StoryIce Eagles Review………………………. 1, 4 one of our ex-winter over members in § Florida west of Jacksonville that it wasn’t Burlington, VTIce Eagles Update………………………3 too bad, when he measured it against the § giant storm we had at McMurdo in 1974 Pensacola, FLIce Eagles Stars………………………….5 that blew away the ham shack. I guess it is all relative. § Only 8 months to our next OAEA reunion. San McMahon Point, AUWho is Bill Burch?…………….8 Antonio in May! I know John West is going to put on a § great one. To quote the OAEA Secretary when we were Slingerlands, NYComments From Other Viewers…...10 talking about the upcoming reunion: “this isn’t John’s § first rodeo”. Watch for the upcoming special Reunion Pensacola, FLMoses, Lichens & Liverworts………..11 Gazette issue for details and registration info. § Stuff going on besides reunion: since the last issue of the Gazette, the scholarship committee screened Pensacola, FLExplosion Heard at McMurdo ………13 applicants and made awards; more about that in the Oct- § Dec issue of the Gazette. Also, we thought there was a Here and There—Feedback & Letters to the Editor……14 possibility of Casey Station assist to recover the nose ski § assembly of the crashed P2V Neptune at Wilkes Station West Jefferson, NC—Lionel Wafer……………………..20 to be displayed along with the memorial plaque the § OAEA commissioned in 2012. What wasn’t realized at Here and There—In Memory: Obituaries………………23 the time is that there is some Australian site protections in § place and artifacts can’t just be moved around, so that Virginia, Beach, VA—Chaplain’s Corner………………27 one is a no-go. And we are presently working on some § possible changes to the election cycles. Chesapeake, VA—Tidewater Group Meeting………..…28 Want to serve on the OAEA Board of Directors and § have a voting voice in the organization? We are starting Pensacola, FL—Alone On The Ice Book Review………..29 preparations for our next election cycle, and we will be § looking for some new names on the ballots. The BOD Pensacola, FL—New Members & Reunions…………….32 does most of the OAEA business between the reunions § via e-mail. And BOD members who are at the reunions Here and There—Locator Column……………………… 33 attend a couple of business meetings. Attendance at the § reunion is not a requisite to serve on the BOD. Pensacola, FL—GCG Chapter Meetings………………..34 Some quick Fiscal Year recaps. Thanks to the § generosity of the membership, we received over 3,900 Pensacola, FL—Another Birthday For Gus…………….39 dollars in donations this fiscal year, with $1600 of that designated for the scholarship fund. Also, this fiscal year, DISCLAIMER STATEMENT we also added 44 new members to the Association; kudos to the Membership Committee Chairman for keeping the The Old Antarctic Explorers Association publishes the full court press on. Explorer’s Gazette quarterly. Opinions expressed by the A reminder to everyone about keeping us up to date if editorial staff or contained in articles submitted by members, you change your e-mail or snail mail addresses. A quick and non-members are not official expressions of the OAEA e-mail to the membership committee chairman at nor does the mention of books, products, or events constitute [email protected], or me ([email protected]) will endorsement by the OAEA. In accordance with Title 17 “get ‘er done”. Thanks. U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this newsletter It will be after the holidays when the next Gazette hits is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for the street. Until then, hope everyone has a good autumn non-profit research and educational purposes only. and holiday season. Take care and keep it real.

Ed Hamblin

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Ice Eagles finally released! By Tom Henderson Creator

No, really. It's true! After three years of researching, interviewing, assembling, and editing, this documentary of U.S. aviation in the Antarctic is finally complete. It has been a lot of work and more costly than I ever expected but it has also been well worth it. I have met many participants in this The Explorer’s Gazette is saga and was privileged to record their experiences. My the official publication of the research turned up a host of images, film, maps, and documents spanning almost a century of history. Old Antarctic Explorers Condensing this into a 2-hour film was a real challenge that Association, Inc. required telling the fundamental story in an interesting and National Headquarters factual way. You will be the judge of whether or not I 10819 Berryhill Road succeeded. Pensacola, FL 32506 USA The DVDs and Blu-Rays have been mailed. If you were Phone 850 456 3556 expecting one of these versions and have not received it in the next two weeks, please let me know at And is published four times annually [email protected]. Those who contributed for the online streaming version will be contacted very soon with Editor instructions. Anyone wishing to purchase another copy can Billy-Ace Baker go to the Graceful Willow website (www.gwillow.com) for Editorial Assistants details. Gus Shinn I would very much like to hear your comments. What I Kerry Konrad learn from this documentary will help me in creating the John Stewart next one. Pam Landy It has been a long road. I appreciate your patience and very much appreciate your support. This film would not Editor Emeritus have been made without you. Thank you! Jim O’Connell 2001–2003 ADDENDUM I am concerned that some of you may have placed orders for additional copies of Ice Eagles, which I have not Association Officers received. If you ordered by check and sent it to: 520 Normanskill Place President – Ed Hamblin Slingerlands, NY 12159 Vice President – John Lamont West and have not received your order, please let me know Secretary – Marty Diller when you sent the order and for what (number of copies, Treasurer – Bill Rouzer DVD or Blu-ray). I have temporarily moved to Vermont and, Life Director – Billy-Ace Baker while I did set up forwarding with the USPS, I am finding that the forwarding process is very inefficient at best. My Past President – Laura Snow current mailing address is: Director – David Bresnahan 35 Cherry Street #501 Director – Bob Buettner Burlington, VT 05401 Director – Allen Cox Those who may have ordered by PayPal are not affected. Director – Wayne Germann I apologize for any delay in the process. As soon as I Director – Thomas Henderson determine how many orders may be in limbo, I will contact Director – Robert Conner those people and make sure that they get their order. I will Director – appreciate your understanding and patience. Director – Dick Spaulding On another note, Christmas is just around the corner. What better gift than Ice Eagles from an OAE. Chaplain – Johnnie Draughon Best regards, Historian – Billy-Ace Baker Tom Henderson Parliamentarian – Vacant Graceful Willow Productions

3 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 17, I S S U E 3 J U L  S E P 2 0 1 7

ICE EAGLES From Page 1 The air cargo figures for parachuting the material

clashes, and , presumably an overlap of necessary to build the base are mind-blowing. Over 86 ‘Highjump’, and named because of the extensive use of airdrop missions, some 881 tons of cargo was landed at the Helicopters for exploration. South Pole, with the building completed on 4 January 1957 During the second phase of Deep Freeze, the Navy ‘SeaBees’ built four new bases around the coast, Byrd, Hallet, Ellsworth, and Wilkes. In the course of this program, 16 men lost their lives, and 18 aircraft and helicopters destroyed. The video depicts very clearly, examples of airdrops; the aftermath of crashed aircraft, rescue and recovery activities, and the viewer is left in no doubt how difficult it was to work in that unique environment. But the other clear message coming from the many participant commentators was how the unique and awesome Antarctic environment, promoted a bond of strong camaraderie- between all levels of skills and authority among the teams. It also shows how initiatives like the US weatherman who spent a winter at the Russian base Mirnyy, and the medical evacuation of a Russian

Condor at during USASE, 1939–41. Meteorologist, wintering at in 1961, contributed hugely to thawing Soviet/US relationships and to the international flavour of Antarctic administration. The massive air operation of Deep Freeze was made possible by the construction of 6000ft (1,830m) ice runway at McMurdo Sound, capable of handling the heaviest cargo aircraft. The Tourist flight tragedy on Mt Erebus, in November 1979 where a total of 257 people died, is well covered. In the concluding remarks, we are told “Antarctica holds the key to unlocking global climate history and the effects of climate change”. continues to this day, although the administration has been centred around the National Science Foundation.

R4D putting in Beardmore Camp in 1956 Part 2 Science Takes Flight begins with the story of creating the International Geophysical Year (IGY). Its success prompted the UN to resolve territorial claims issues via a new international body under its auspices and named ‘The Antarctic Treaty’, comprising 66 countries, and led by the 12 who have established bases in Antarctica. It was

signed on 1 December 1959, and ratified in July 1961. Photo by Ted Robinson At the onset of the IGY, some very clever lobbying of the The distinctive tail and engine pod of the wrecked Air US Congress by senior scientists, using the Spectre of chief New Zealand DC-10 with the airlines Maori Koru symbol. Cold War opponent, Russia, saw the allocation of huge This dual disc video is very well crafted and looks into all funding grants, and logistical support by the US Navy under aspects of aviation in Antarctica. For lovers of history it the command of Admiral George Dufek, who named it serves as an entertaining learning exercise about a vital Operation Deep Freeze. It ran from 1955–1959 in four component of our Antarctic heritage. tranches. Richard E. Byrd was appointed overall in charge of Copies are available through www.gwillow.com support for the US Antarctic Research Programs (USARP). WM (Bill) Burch After an early Treaty meeting, Dufek was left in no doubt 2/81A Union Street that the Soviets were keen to establish a base at the South McMahons Point NSW 2060 Pole, so he quickly structured the program to get a US base Ph/fax:02 8065 5179 there first. skype: bill.burch .

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ICE EAGLES Stars Who Were Video Interviewed In The Library of Billy-Ace

Les Darbyshire.LTCOL USMC. AIRDEVRON SIX DF-60 –62. LC-130 Pilot/.Cargo loading officer. Mount Darbyshire and Darbyville are named in his honor.

Les Liptak ADR2 USN, AIRDEVRON SIX. DF-57 & 58. R4D9 Plane Captain DF-II. Mount Liptak is named in his honor

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Conrad “Gus” Shinn, LCDR USN. Highjump 1946–47, VX-6 1955-58, R4D pilot. Made first landing at South Pole Station Mount Shinn and Shinn Ridge are named in his honor’

Laura Snow. Daughter of ADC Ashley Clinton Snow. Ashley was a Chief Aviation Machinist Mate and was the chief pilot at East Base during the United States Antarctic Service Expedition 1939–41. Snow Nunataks are named in his honor

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Billy Blackwelder LCDR, ANTARCTIC DEVRON SIX helicopter pilot 1970–72 and 74–77. Billy was aboard the Super Constellation that crashed at McMurdo in 1974. Mount Blackwelder is named in his honor

Conrad John Jaburg LT. AIRDEVRON SIX 1956–58. Con Kenneth Pye LT, AIRDEVRON SIX 1969–72. Ken served wintered-over at Ellsworth Station During DF-II as a helo as an LC130 and C-121 Navigator pilot. Jaburg is named in his honor.

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WHO IS BILL BURCH?

By Bill Burch 24 of us, from predictably varied backgrounds and life From the ANARE Website experiences, and with a 16-year span of age range among us. Even our leader, Neville Smethurst – known as the OIC Resupply Voyage 4 Aurora Australis – (Officer in Charge) was among the younger bracket at 31 January – 20 March 2008 26. Wilkes had not long been seconded from the US (February 1959), and so we had 5 Americans in our party, brash young, just 22 years old, and very raw three as Weather Observers and two Marine Biologists. We AGeophysicist, I was appointed to run the Geophysical began to bond as a team on the trip down, and I recall the Observatory at Wilkes for the year 1961. A lecture from John general feeling of relief when the little red ship departed, Bechervaise had fired my passion as a schoolboy, and the leaving US alone on OUR Station! Overall we had a very Director of the Bureau of Mineral Resources, as it was then, harmonious time, despite the Chief Diesel Engineer being responded to my plea to go to Antarctica and gave me the job ‘sacked’ in May and spending the rest of the time reading when I finished my basic degree, I was sent to the Mundaring books. It was a testament to good leadership and the general Geophysical Observatory near Perth WA for most of the year level of tolerance of someone who had lost the plot in our in 1960 to learn how to drive the instruments and interpret the tight knit community that indeed it did function so well. Two seismic and magnetic traces they produced. years previously, an expeditioner at Wilkes had “lost it” and was kept in a purpose-built cell until the Russians sent a rescue flight in to bring him out.

Burch at Wilkes Station early 1961

Bill Burch driving the green weasel So what do I expect this time? Firstly, the three times larger ship will make the journey so much more comfortable, no matter what the weather throws at us! I hear the Aurora Australis is equipped with a Gym and sauna. What a contrast with the Magga Dan. One particularly bad night, while I was on the bridge doing “Ice Watch”, the Magga was rolling alarmingly from side to side dipping the wings of the bridge in the larger wave crests, and the Captain, Hans Peterson, and I had just been served our half mugs of cocoa. Behind us the helmsman was fighting the wheel and the loading tilt gauge was ominously ticking loudly as the needle alternately

Magga Dan in the pack ice. Photo by Philip Law slammed into the Port and Starboard stops set at 30 Deg of So just over 47 years ago, I was aboard a little Danish list. We each had one hand firmly grasping the railing, feet , the Magga Dan, heading down the Yarra River well astride for balance, trying to manage sips of cocoa as we from Port Melbourne for the big southern adventure. Then, I stared forrard into the spray and sleet. Captain Peterson was a member of the Wilkes 1961 ANAR Expedition, all but turned to me with a wicked grin on his face and said matter- one of our number, being first time Antarcticans. There were of-factly “Ah! My ship she is very good in zee ice, but not zo good in zee vater”.

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Aurora Australis

Bill with the fancy tie on the left. In the middle is Andrew Denton a high-profile Australian TV personality and Antarctic tourist, who Bill organized to speak at the NSW Midwinter dinner a few years back. On the right is the President of the NSW ANARE Club branch, and Editor of ‘Aurora’, David Ellyard. Photo circa 2013

Burch synchronizing WWV timing instruments 1961

Secondly, there is no doubt that modern communication will have removed the very real sense of isolation, the ‘romantic’ notion of being hardy explorers on an ‘expedition’ relying almost totally on our own resources. No more will there be any guesswork as to where the leads of open water are in the pack. You can see them on the satellite images, and plot your path through the ice. No more the head scratching from the navigator when the radar showed “land” some 50km before we were supposed to be there. That ‘land’ turned out to be a gigantic ice floe (30km long) calved from one of the Bill Burch shelves and drifting across our planned path. Technology at a high level of sophistication provides the template in the So now, as a retired Medical Scientist, who still retains Antarctic parties of today, although I am sure the enthusiasm that enduring fascination for this magical part of our planet, I of the people, now happily not exclusively male, remains just am very privileged to have the opportunity to observe the as vibrant now as then. Particularly will this be true when we modern resupply process at our three mainland stations, get in among the serious ice and begin to experience the Casey, Davis, and Mawson and absorb every aspect of amazing ambience of our surroundings. I don’t know how today’s “explorers” going about their various tasks, hoping I anyone can be unmoved by the experience. am able to assist in some of them.

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ICE EAGLES COMMENTS FROM OTHER VIEWERS Courtesy of Thomas Henderson

"I was captivated, couldn't turn away from the TV for "You are to be highly praised for the fine film, two the entire two hours or so. Excellent work! It’s got to be copies of which have come our way. It's a great the best and most complete documentary of the account, well done, and I'm sure it involved a lot of Antarctic ever." work." Col. Richard Saburro, former LC-130 pilot for the Air Robert Dodson National Guard 109th Airlift Wing and Commander of (Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition Operation Deep Freeze from 1999–2002. 1946–48)

"What an outstanding job you have done putting this "Loved the DVD. It took me back to the late fifties. Best together. I enjoyed the entire presentation. I know that year of my life was when I wintered.” this must have taken a lot of your time so I wanted to William Staskel let you know what a great job you did.” VX-6 WO DF-60 William (Bill) H. Highlands (CWO4 USN Ret) "How wonderful the documentary was! George and I are so impressed with how well it was put together and "I AM SO IMPRESSED! Michael and I watched both the obvious research, time, and devotion given to the disks back-to-back and were so taken by the project. You should be proud of yourself! I cannot incorporation of research, interviews, photos, archives imagine it not being on PBS or like series.” and story telling." Annette Weiland Liesl Schernthanner (daughter of CDR Robert Epperly (South Pole Station Deep Freeze III–IV) multiple winterovers)

"Debbie and I watched Ice Eagles last night. It is an "I've watched and thoroughly enjoyed Ice Eagles - amazing body of work! Well done!!" especially as someone who worked closely with many Carl Edmonds of these aircraft down on The Ice." VXE-6 Aircraft Commander 78–79 Jeremy Hirschhorn Gulf World Opens Penguin Encounter

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. There are currently three Gulf World in Panama City Beach African penguins at Gulf has a new exhibit that may cause World. you to “flip out”. Guests can now “They’re all very different get up close and personal with an they all have very different endangered species, the African personalities. We have South penguin. who’s a little bit younger and The new Penguin Encounter at he likes to run around and Gulf World allows guests to get in have a lot of fun. We have 31 the water with the penguins and see year old Mary and she’s really some behaviors. They also get the great too,” said Fisher. chance to pet a penguin. There’s also the crowd “We do a bunch of different favorite Fat Boy who is 33 things depending on the day. We want to make sure all of years old and loves hanging out on his rock in the exhibit. our guests walk away with the opportunity of having been Guests must pay $79 a person and sign up at the Gulf able to touch a penguin. We like to offer different things. World welcome area in order to enjoy the Penguin We do some free time where we learn all about the African Encounter. Participants must be at least 8 years old and the Penguins. We get to watch them swim and we like to offer encounter lasts 20 minutes. some different behaviors as well,” said Kesley Fisher, lead An all-day Gulf World admission ticket is included in animal care specialist at Gulf World. your Penguin Encounter purchase.

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MOSSES LICHENS & LIVERWORTS By Billy-Ace Baker Erebus. These footprints have all the earmarks of the Fiction, Facts, & Fantasy Purples and are very destructive to the lichen colonies. All From Bakers Almanac lichens, mosses, and liverworts are now sacred and

protected species on the worlds loneliest, highest, and driest Editor’s Note: The below letter appeared on the Antarctic Pagans email list on 19 November 1999,

LINEAGE

lla ona smokane:

O My clan name is Nogard Rellik. My ancestors were from the area of Antarctica that is now known as the . My proud ancestors were the poorest of the ancient lichen eaters. The only branch that was poorer was another clan, which was in the peninsula area until South America separated from Gondwanaland centuries ago and this clan was separated from the continent and the Lemming descendants of these are now the present day Patagonian continent. Many colonies of these protected species are in Moss Suckers. They are the most pathetic creatures known excess of 100,000 years of age. For a Purple to even be near to mankind. No clothing, no shelter, but with a single one of these sacred colonies is a sacrilege, and for one of purpose. They wander hopelessly up and down the them to walk on a colony, or a fusebanc as these colonies Argentinean coast looking for a land bridge back to are know in the local jargon, destroys millions of spores that Antarctica. They are like the Lemmings of the dreaded, are eons old. hated, and despicable regions. These Patagonian Moss Suckers are incapable of thought as we know it and do not have the faintest inclination as to why they want to return to the birthplace of their miserable clan.

Gondwana Land THE PURPLES I believe that there is a gang of “purples” operating in the vicinity of Ross Island near Mount Erebus the ancient and active volcano that is the home of Sir Lofless the one- eyed troll. Purple footprints have reportedly been seen in Drawing by Shutterstock the ancient lichen beds on the Northern slopes of Mt Sir Lofless

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legacy was passed down to me. I in turn went to Antarctica in search of my roots between 1962 and 1980. However,

FAMILY HISTORY During all these years I could not get any closer to the My great grandfather, Asabej Rekabu made a Antarctica Peninsula then the American Navy base on Ross pilgrimage to the icy regions of Antarctica during the 1840s Island in the New Zealand Ross Dependency sector of in search of his heritage. He was a crewmember on the Antarctica. While on Ross Island I saw many signs of the sloop Hero that was on a sealing expedition, mastered by ancient Antarcticans, but nothing that was familiar with my Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer. His search was futile and the own lineage. Now I am growing old and can no longer continue this pilgrimage. As soon as he is old enough to understand the ancient ways I will send my grandson, Ynot Rellik south to continue the age old search for our ancient family roots.

Hail Fusebanc Interrobang?!

Nogard Rellik Dragon Killer and Protector of the Liverworts

Hero

First dragon killed by dragon watch at McMurdo on 17 March 1967. Dragon Watch Society medal below.

Palmer

Mount Erebus. Home of Sir Lofless.

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EXPLOSION HEARD AT MCMURDO

McMurdo Station Antarctica—Tuesday 30 March 1971—Super Sunday Sometimes—One night last week Sir Lofless got drunk on a mixture of used lube oil and Ditto fluid. When he started to go home to Mount Erebus, his head was so full that he took a wrong turn and ended up at Scott Base instead. Now it was a very cold and windy night with a chill factor of minus 95. Sir Lofless didn’t mind the adverse weather at all because of this flame throwing abilities, however, the men at Scott Base feared that in his condition that Sir Lofless might have a flameout and freeze to death, so the Kiwi’s offered Sir Lofless a large mangy husky to ride home on. Sir Lofless, who is accustomed to riding dragons, was highly insulted by this offer and shouted: “The dog, the dog, the mangy dog! Surely you wouldn’t send a knight out on a dog like this!” Then Sir Lofless, to the astonishment of the Kiwi’s leaped off into the darkness, in the direction of Mount Erebus, shooting 50-foot jets of flame from his mouth. Large billows of smoke pouring from his huge pointed ears. And just before he crossed the first hill, he turned and shouted like a demon. He put a terrible curse upon the Kiwi’s. Lightening bolts flew from his eye and he passed gas, which was so loud that it was heard in McMurdo. Some thought that Public Works was blasting the Scott Base dump again. After this awesome display Sir Lofless disappeared info the darkness.

Down in the of Turtle Hill Rock, there stood a tattooed demon a blowin’ his top. Fire from his eye and McMurdo Sometimes smoke from his head. You have to be real cool to understand the words he says! “Weeee, Eeeeeo, Weeeek, Weeeek, Twang Twang!”

13 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 17, I S S U E 3 J U L  S E P 2 0 1 7 Feedback & LETTERS T O THE EDITOR

Good Morning Billy-Ace, Tom Orr the supply officer in VX/VXE-6 passed Via The OAEA Web Site: away Sunday 9, July. Not sure he was a member of Great job, thanks for the news. OAEA or not but would you please send a message William Bushall out informing every one? I know several of our [email protected] members would know and remember him. I'm not sure how to find an official picture of him in his uniform but Via The OAEA Web Site: they just moved a couple of months ago and Barbara I was involved in Deepfreeze II at McMurdo; I was can't seem to find the one she had on the mantle of injured and missed the wintering over, but returned for their old house. He was in the squadron in 66–69(?), I Deepfreeze III and IV as a staff member for think and was the Para-Rescue Team OIC. I just can't CONNAVSUPFOR and spent time at several of the remember for sure when he left. Do you have any new bases and Christchurch. Good luck to all and suggestions on how I could find one? keep up the good work. Dick Spaulding Robbie Williams [email protected] [email protected]

Via The OAEA Web Site: Editor’s Note: Thanks to Dick for letting me know Always enjoy reading the Gazette and the variety of that Tom had died. I was able to find his obituary interesting articles. In this latest issue, thanks for the online and his death notice appears in the In nice memory of Jim Thomann, a friend of my fathers, Memory section of this issue. Tom was the VX-6 and fellow member of VX-6 from a very long ago and Supply Officer and the OIC of the Pararescue Team never forgotten. in DF-68 (1967–68). Great issue and thanks to all who put their time and contributions into this publication! Susan Hartman [email protected]

Via The OAEA Web Site: Thanks SO much for all you all do! Nancy.Farrell [email protected]] Via The OAEA Web Site: First time entry. Served 69/70. W/O at McMurdo Station. Part of the search and rescue team. Spent time on . Still feel honored that I was picked to be a part of that fantastic experience. Keep up the good work. Vince Janson From the VX-6 DF-68 Cruise Book From Tom’s obit [email protected] VX-6 CO CDR Schneider and Tom in his dress blues Via The OAEA Web Site LCDR Orr at Tom’s promotion I sailed aboard the Steddy Eddy (Edisto AGB 2) during Via The OAEA Web Site: DF-63. My wife and I attended Thank you OAEA for posting our Puckered the reunion in San Diego, Penguins (VX/VXE-6 Only) biennial Reunion in Las which was quite something. Vegas NV 25–28 Sept 2017 & showing our link to the Looking forward to the next registration information www.puckeredpenguins.org one. Looking forward to seeing some old penguins and LCDR Oz Schroder will notify all our "Airdales" about your San Antonio [email protected] 9-11 May 2018 Biennial OAEA reunion. Again thanks to Billy Ace Oz & Julie Bob McCauley [email protected] Editor’s Note: Thanks to everyone for their

atta-boys.

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Hi Billy Ace, Uncle Billy: My daughter, Susan sent me the OAEA newsletter In the obit for Howard Wessbecher in the In and I just reviewed it. You are doing a great job! Lots Memory section of the Apr-Jun Gazette it is stated that of time and hard work go into a newsletter so packed he painted the first South Pole bamboo pole. Years with news, photos, and information. I particularly ago Jim told me a story about what happened to that enjoyed the article about Jim Thomann with great pics “barber pole”. But I don’t remember the story. Do you from the past. One correction, however. The cut line know what happened to it? reads that Susan Hartman is with him at the reunion, Kiwi Pam but it was me (I was there with Hoot when the reunion was held in RI). Editor’s Note: It’s a secret. Keep up the good work. Thanks for holding the penguins together. Janet Hartman [email protected]

Editor’s Note: My bad. I guess I failed to read the caption. Sorry about that. Below is a photo of Hoot and you with Dick Spaulding and Tom Orr. Fits with the first letter in this issue.

NEA Telephoto SOUTH POLE PAINTED—Howard Wessbecher, of the IGY, paints a 13-foot bamboo pole at McMurdo for planting at the South Pole. The barber-stripped pole will be air dropped to Seabees who are working at the South Pole.

Standing: Hoot and Janet. Seated Dick & Tom

Via The OAEA Web Site: I would like to see more VXE 6 folk connect and am suggesting that my OAE 1972–75 friends join and

reconnect. Retired from USNR & LMCO - two USNA Photo by Dave Grisez girls (both LTs on active duty) Tiger cruse on CV Bush Howard Wessbecher, U.S. David Ellefson Weather Bureau, gives U.S. [email protected] Navy Commissaryman, 1st Class, Ray Spiers a haircut at U.S. Naval Williams Air Editor’s Note: See page 18 for more on Ellefson Operating Facility (now known and his daughters. as McMurdo Station) in 1956.

Howard Wessbecher

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The above handwritten note was sent to me by Dave Grisez.

Billy Ace As always a special "Thank You" to you for keeping us up to date on the ANTARCTICA happenings. Hope to see you soon! God bless Charlotte Ferrara Dieckhoff (In remembrance of my Dad ADC Fred Ferrara who was part Of Operation Deepfreeze I (1955–56) Billy-Ace Thank you for the great Newsletters! Bill Lokey [email protected] Billy-Ace, Thanks for the OAEA info packet and goodies. I will Photo by National Geographic be mailing my completed membership application and The Bamboo pole at South Pole Station in DF-II. The flag look forward to membership. is at half-mast in honor of Admiral Byrd. In the meantime, I am also interested in the list

of OAEA coins you sent. I'm interested in the 100th Editor’s Note: The below email in reply to an email anniversary of of South Pole coin ($15). I sent to Bill Spindler concerning the bamboo pole As a side thought, I was at the Pole in 2001 for the 90th anniversary of Amundsen's arrival. Jerry Marty Billy-Ace, and the station manager, Katy Jensen (no relation), The current Ceremonial Pole includes about 5 feet asked me to carry the Norwegian flag to the of the original bamboo pole. In 1976, it was perhaps a ceremonial pole for the day since my parents came few feet longer and still included one of Paul Siple's from Norway. The below picture of me is from glass balls (well, until the flight crew on opening flight 14 December 2001. dislodged and broke the glass ball. At that time the Thanks again, bamboo pole still included the original square top with Eivind Jemsen a sheave left over from its time as a flagpole. [email protected] The VXE-6 guy who broke the glass ball bought a new one, documented on this page. http://www.southpolestation.com/pole/survey.html At some unknown time later, the square top was replaced with a round one, and the glass ball was replaced with an unbreakable silvered plastic ball. I've never heard anything about what happened to the cut off pieces of the original flagpole. Bill Spindler [email protected]

Eivind with the Norwegian flag

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Dear Editor: convinced now that the credit for the “official” shot I would appreciate your running this in the Gazette. belongs to Les Halsema and not to me. For many years the shot of Que Sera Sera landing Unfortunately, I understand my friend from those at the South Pole that became the “official” photograph days Les Halsema has passed. I would have liked to of the event, has been attributed to me. Because of have conveyed this to him personally. As the Navy the circumstances of how the picture was processed Deepfreeze PIO, he was very helpful and extremely and transmitted from McMurdo to the U.S., and friendly towards me as were all of the wonderful distributed by my company United Press (UP) people of VX-6. Newspictures, I've assumed that the picture was one Maurice Cutler that I took on 31 October 1956. However, after [email protected] recently coming across a reference to another nearly identical shot of the landing, I’ve done some research Editor’s Note: Below are photos of Que Sera Sera and have concluded that the attribution to me may making the first landing at the Geographic South have been mistaken and I want to set the record Pole. It looks like the color photo and the bottom straight. black and white photo are basically the same. In the article Gus and Me, (Explorer’s Gazette, Oct- Dec. 2016) I wrote: “Above in the Globemaster we were having trouble keeping warm in the cargo bay of the huge transport. I was lucky enough to be able to see Gus Shinn’s landing in the R4D in my camera’s viewfinder. And even more fortunate, the windows were not frosted up to much extent, despite the freezing temperatures inside our plane and my camera had not frozen up. This photograph which was distributed by UP Newspictures became the official U.S. Navy photo of the landing. The picture is from my original, showing the wing of our C-124 and its shadow on the Pole above Gus’s aircraft.” The picture in the article was indeed shot by me, photo by: Les Halsema but it was not, as I have discovered, the photo From National Geographic Magazine July 1957 distributed by UP Newspictures that became the official photo. When I got back to McMurdo after the flight, I handed my roll of film to the U.S. Navy photo lab for processing and transmitting to my UP headquarters in New York. When UP Newspictures released a shot of the landing, I assumed they had used mine, which the Navy processed for me and is the one used in the article Gus and Me. But my recent research has suggested that they probably used a nearly identical Official US Navy Photogragh shot taken by U.S. Navy LT. (JG) Les Halsema, From DF-II TF-43 Cruise Book greatly enlarged. We were probably looking out of adjacent windows and must have clicked our shutters at precisely the same moment. You would need a microscope to distinguish between them. Rather than using my shot, my company UP Newspictures apparently used Les Halsema’s, which was also used in a National Geographic article in July 1957. Surprisingly, I have little recall of that article while remembering clearly the September issue that year that had an extended article on Deepfreeze II and featured a shot of the press contingent with Admiral Dufek. It was my coming across that July National Geographic article and seeing the picture that raised USAF Photo doubts in my mind. Despite the mix-up, I am pretty well From Jan Churchil book: First South Pole Landing

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Billy-Ace: You asked for some photos of my daughters and a before and after photos of myself. I hope these are what you are looking for. First one Lauren & Katie Ellefson together at USNA (Class of 2011 & 2013) math & engineering majors SWOs.

Officer’s Mug Shots

Lauren and Katie Ellefson Both LT.s now. Lauren on 3rd tour as instructor in San Diego (Cruisers USS Port Royal, LCS USS Independence Navigator and just committed to Depart- ment Head school in Newport - married to Army WO H-60 diver. Katie Nuke SWO on CV USS Bush. Former Destroyer USS Laurence. Just coming off extended deployment. Julie and I are meeting her ship in Mayport this month for a Tiger Cruise. Second is me (young and cocky) in front of LC-130R in 76. Third is roster (mug shots) from 1975 Approaching the sandbar in Hawaii of VXE-6. Fourth is me driving to the Sand Bar by And the fifth is the girls and my wife Julie at Army Chinaman’s Hat in Hawaii in January 2017. Navy @ USNA and in Civilian dress. Sixth is crash picture at Dome Charlie. The last photo is opening day at Coronado Cays Yacht Club with Julie, me, and some friends. An aviator learning to sail is not a pretty sight!!!

Dave posing with 131 VXE-6 Aircraft BUNO 148321 Crashed 756 Miles from McMurdo

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The Girls andJulie

Captain David Ellefson I Retired from LMCO "Skunk Works" in 2016 after 35 years and USNR-R as O-6 with 30+ years at Coronado CA. Operation Deep Freeze still the most unique experience. Dave At the Coranado Yatch Club

Chick this out: 2 baby penguins born at Jacksonville Zoo Courtesy of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Three adult penguins from the San Francisco Zoo have Two chicks and three adults have been added to the also joined the rapidly growing penguin family. Magellanic penguin group at the Jacksonville Zoo and Two males and a female went on exhibit for the first time Gardens, officials announced Monday. on 24 August and are thriving in their new environment. The first of the two chicks hatched on 30 July to parents Since their addition to the group, the penguins who had Troy and Victoria. The chick, whose gender is still unknown, been spending time in the holding area of the Tuxedo Coast is thriving in the care of its parents. penguin exhibit to wrap up nesting season are now back out enjoying the big pool and viewable to the guests. The chicks will not go out on exhibit until they are around 3 months old. Magellanic penguins are native to the southern coasts of Argentina and Chile. They are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List with population decline resulting from overfishing of their hunting grounds and oil pollution.

Baby Penguin in cup The second chick hatched on 7 August and is being parent-raised by Austin and Lola. Zoo officials said they are excited to see the parents excelling at rearing the chicks, after the last two chicks hatched at the zoo had to be hand-reared by keepers. The three adult penguins

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LIONEL WAFER: HIS LIFE AND TIMES Ghost written by Black Jack of Ballarat he straight skinny on Lionel Wafer. Fiction, T Fact, and Fantasy from Baker’s Almanac. Page 169

Lionel Wafer Surgeon and buccaneer born about 1658, in Wales. He first went to sea in 1676 as an assistant surgeon on the Great Anne, bound for Bantam, in the Dutch East Indies. In 1680 he settled in Jamaica, where his brother worked on a plantation, and became a buccaneer. He was part of Bart Sharpes's privateering expedition to the South Seas that included William Dampier. A scene from Captain Blood. Errol Flynn on the left and On 25 December 1687, on his way from the Pacific to the Basil Rathbone as the pirate Oliver Levasseur West Indies, he found himself south of 60 south, at 62°45' S, and thus in Antarctic waters. In 1688 he was imprisoned in Buccaneer Surgeon Lionel Wafer Jamestown, Virginia. That year he became one of the first By Mark Kehoe settlers of Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania, but by 1689 was back in England again. In 1698 he was a consultant to the Darien expedition to New Caledonia, in Panama, and wrote A New V0yage & Description of the Isthmus of America Some say he married Maria Levasseur, and that they had a daughter, Sarah. He died in London about 1705. oth Ringrose’s and Dampier’s books were good, serious Btravel books. By comparison Lionel Wafer’s book was fun. Wafer seems to have a jolly time in his travels, joyously exercising his medical skills for the benefit of others and doing the sorts of silly things that make this pirate surgeon/writer proud. Wafer was one of the few pirates we can point to who actually decided to get himself tattooed. (Despite the myth perpetuated by modern media, most historians have failed to find sufficient evidence that tattooing was a common practice among pirates. Don’t believe everything you see on TV.) As he described it in his book, Wafer “was painted by their women; but I would not suffer them to prick my skin [as would be done for a permanent tattooing], to rub the paint in, as they use to do, but only to lay it on in little specks.

Maria Levasseur. Some say that she was the daughter of the pirate Olivier Levasseur Some of the Indians that Lionel encountered in his travels

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Wafer’s reticence to get a permanent tattoo hints that such things were not widely accepted in the sea community at this time. In fact, he later tells us “I did what I could presently to wash off my paint, but ‘twas near a month before I could get tolerably rid of it, having had my skin so long stained with it, and the pigment dried on in the sun: And when it did come off, ‘twas usually with the peeling off of skin and all.”

Lionel Wafer's book (1699) A modern version

It is interesting that Wafer chose to do this because the goal of many ship’s surgeons was to land a more

Lionel Wafer Discovered Among the Indians (1845) comfortable, better-paying land-based job. A land-based surgeon’s revenue was dependant on their ability to attract His tattooing did lead to an amusing story when he later patients, so it may have been that Wafer, being so young and met up with his crew, however. Wafer explains it in his inexperienced (having completed only about 2–3 years of his typical fashion: “I sat a while cringing upon my hams among seven year apprenticeship) may not have found his Jamaican the Indians [who had tattooed him], after their fashion, practice lucrative. It may also have been that he simply painted as they were, and all naked but only about the waist, craved adventure, which appears to be in agreement with his and with my nose-piece… hanging over my mouth. I was general nature. However, after tantalizing us with the fact of willing to try if they [the ship;s crew] would know me in the his curious change in career path, Wafer skips the explanation disguise; and ‘twas the better part of an hour before one of for it and simply continues telling what happened when he the crew, looking more narrowly upon me, cried out, here’s joined the buccaneers. our doctor”. Although not specifically stated, he appears to have again Wafer tells us he first went seafaring in 1677 aboard the served as a surgeon’s assistant or a surgeon’s mate when he Great Anne of London which was bound for Bantam, started sailing with the buccaneers. This is suggested in his Indonesia. He was “in the Service of the Surgeon of the Ship; account of the buccaneers' disastrous attack on Arica, Chile. but being then very young, I made no great observations in Wafer tells us “we lost a great number of our men; and every that Voyage.” (Presumably he is talking about failing to one of our surgeons was killed beside myself, who was then observe what happened on the voyage and not understand left to guard the canoas.” While Wafer doesn’t mention why what the surgeon was trying to explain to him in his training. the other surgeons were lost, Ringrose explained, “they although with Wafer, you never know.) Returning to London having been drinking [apparently at the Arica’s hospital] in 1679, he joined a voyage to the West Indies where he was while we assaulted the fort and thus would not come with us “also in the service of the Surgeon of the Ship” as a surgeon’s when they were called.” assistant. Once in Jamaica he decided to stay there with his Wafer thus appears to have received an instant promotion, brother who worked for Sir Thomas Modyford, the former being the most senior surgeon remaining among the crew. governor of the island since his “chief inducement in This was not entirely uncommon; many surgeon’s mates or undertaking this voyage was to see him.” assistants received fast field promotions despite their While in Jamaica, Wafer’s brother “settled me in a house incomplete training. Writing in 1720, Josiah Burchett tells us at Port-Royal, where I followed my business of aurgery for “'many of the Chirurgeons, but more especially their some months. But in a while I met with Capt. [Edward] Mates…are not altogether so well qualifyed as they ought to Cook, and Capt. Linch [Lynch], two privateers, who were be.” Nevertheless, they were better than the alternative. going out from Port-Royal, toward the Coast of Cartagena, Most of Wafer’s book deals with the privateers crossing and took me along with them.” the Isthmus and his time among the Cuna Indians who lived there. William Dampier and his crew had to “return back over

21 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 17, I S S U E 3 J U L  S E P 2 0 1 7 the Isthmus, or go to seek their fortune other-ways” after they advised the chief to be patient. He then “drew off about 12 decided to split from the other buccaneers on the Pacific side ounces, and bound up her arm, and desired she might rest till of the isthmus. The hike required the buccaneers to the next day: By which means the fever abated, and she had several rivers. Following one such crossing Wafer tells us not another fit.” that he “was sitting on the ground near one of our men, who was drying of gunpowder in a silver plate: But not managing it as he should, it blew up, and scorched my knee to that degree, that the bone was left bare, the flesh being torn away, and my thigh burnt for a great way above it.” He did his best to keep up with the rest of the crew, but finally had to stop because of his wound. This is how he and four other men came to be staying with the Cuna Indians. Wafer tells us that he had “no means to alleviate the anguish of my wound, [so] the Indians undertook to cure me; and applied to my knee some herbs, which they first chewed in their mouths to the consistency of a paste, and putting it on a Plantain-Leaf, laid it upon the sore. This proved so effectual, that in about 20 days use of this poultess [poultice], which they applied fresh every day, I was perfectly cured”. Wafer was later able to return the favor, by assisting in the healing of one of Cuna Indian Chief Lacenta’s wives. She “was to be let blood; which the Indians perform in this manner: The patient is seated on a stone in the river, and one with a small bow shoots little arrows into the naked body of the patient, up and down; shooting them as fast as he can, and not missing any part. But the Arrows are gaged, so that they Indian Method of Bleeding from Wafer's book (1699) penetrate no farther than we generally thrust our Lancets: This made Wafer quite popular with the Cunas. He tells And if by chance they hit a vein.and the blood spurts out a us he “was taken up into a hammock, and carried on men’s little, they will leap and skip about, showing many antick shoulders, Lacenta himself making a speech in my praise, and gestures, by way of rejoycing and triumph.” commending me as much superiour to any of their doctors. Wafer offered to show the chief a better way to let blood. thus I was carried from plantation to plantation, and lived in The chief agreed so Wafer “bound up her Arm with a piece of great splendor and repute, administring both Physick bark, and with my lancet breathed a vein.” The chief was [medicine] and Phlebotomy [bloodletting] to those that shocked by the way the blood streamed out, threatened Wafer wanted.” A fascinating character, indeed. with his lance, “and swore by his tooth, that if she did otherwise than well, he would have my heart’s blood.” Wafer

Pirates going on R&R

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I N M E M O R Y OAE Charles "Charlie" Ackerman, 84, died on 22 September 2017, in Atlanta, GA. In support of the noted adventurer Ned Gillette, Ackerman helped break-in the one-of-a-kind "Red Tomato" rowboat along 300 miles of shoreline at the far southern tip of Chile. From Cape Horn, Gillette and three others then rowed the craft 600 miles to Antarctica in 13 days across the most treacherous seas on the planet

OAE Major Robert R. “Buck” Allen, USMC (Ret), 80, died on 13 August 2017, in Havelock, NC. Buck made two deployments to Antarctica as an LC-130 pilot. Years unknown.

OAE Anthony F. "Tony" Amos, 80, died on 4 September 2017, at a hospice in San Antonio, TX. Tony worked for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute for 40 years and made dozens of trips to Antarctica doing scientific research. Years unknown.

OAE Dr. Carl H. Andrus, 82, died on 11 July 2017, at Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester, NY. Carl served as the medical officer and OIC of Byrd Station during DF-64. Mount Andrus, a volcano in Marie Byrd Land is named in his honor.

Trudy Alvina Armstrong, 89, died on 12 July 2017, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Trudy was a licensed fixed wing and glider pilot. Her husband Neil and son Corcoran were killed in an aircraft accident in Antarctica in 1994. Corcoran. 30, was the pilot of the aircraft and he worked for Kenn Borek Air of Calgary, Canada. Corcoran was flying a Twin Otter from Chile to Bay, on the , so it could be used by the Italian Antarctic Expedition of that season. They had just re- fueled at the BAS base of Rothera Station and the plane crashed into an iceberg and exploded, killing all four Canadians aboard, including Corcoran’s father, Neil Armstrong, 74, who was the only one of the four deceased who did not work for Borek. Editor’s Note: Information about the flight was provided by John Stewart.

OAE Gerald R. "Jerry" Ayotte Jr., 72, died on 31 August 2017, at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, ME. Jerry served in Antarctica with the SeaBees. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Alexander S. "Bud" Bannerman Jr., 90, died on 20 August 2017. at Transitions LifeCare, in. Wake Forest, NC. Bud served in Antarctica in the Navy with Operation Highjump..

OAE Millie A. “Bumb” Barrett, 86, died on 28 September 2017, in Evansville, IN. Bumb visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Peter Neville “Benno”: Bennett, 79, died on 25 April 2017, in Australia. Benno wintered-over Casey Station in 1972 as a radio officer.

*OAE Charles “Charlie” R. Bentley, 87, died on 19 August 2017, in Oakland, CA. Charlie of the University of Wisconsin- Madison glaciologist and geophysicist who was among the first scientists to measure the West Antarctic in the late 1950s. Beginning in 1957, Charlie spent 25 consecutive months on the ice in Antarctica, at a time when scientists from around the world were converging on the continent as part of the International Geophysical Year (IGY). He wintered-over at Byrd Station during DF-II and DF-III. Charlie spent 19 seasons in Antarctica. His last was in 2010. Mount Bentley and Bentley Subglacial Trench are named in his honor. He was a member of the Antarctic Deep Freeze Association (ADFA) and the American Polar Society (APS).

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OAE Gary Andrew Blevins, 58, died on 15 September 2017, in Germantown, TN. Gary served in Antarctica as an LC-130 pilot with the NYANG. Year(s) unknown.

OAE David Andrew "Andy" Board, 49, died on 2 August 2017, in Kuwait, while serving his country in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Andy deployed to Antarctica with the Air National Guard where he performed maintenance on LC-130 Aircraft. Years unknown.

OAE Raymond Ronald “Ray” Bracken, USCG (Ret), 75, died on 9 August 2017, in Littleton, MA. Ray deployed to Antarctica on the USCGC Eastwind. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Winthrop Lee Bradshaw Jr., 83, died on 27 July 2017, in Forest Lake, WI. Lee visited Antarctica twice as a tourist.

OAE Gordon “Neil” Brandie, 72, died on 28 June 2017, in Victoria, Australia. Neil wintered-over at Mawson Station in 1978 as a Meteorologist Technician. Neil was the national president of the ANARE Club.

OAE Frithjof “Fred” N. Carlsen, 95, died on 28 August 2017, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home in Owego, PA. In 1937 at the age of 15 Fred went on one of four whaling trips to Antarctica on the ship Ulysses.

OAE George Henry Carswell III "Sporty", 74, died on 13 August 2017, in Macon, GA. Sporty visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Robert F. Chapman, 62, died on 11 August 2017, in Wolfeboro, NH. Robert served in Antarctica with the US Coast Guard. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Dale Meyers Cooper, 95, died on 28 August 2017, at East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing in East Longmeadow, MA. Dale visited Antarctica at the age of 81, after dreaming for years of following in the footsteps of Sir , which she did, even to setting foot on Elephant Island, where Shackleton's crew endured a long and perilous wait for rescue.

OAE Dr. Joseph M. Corcoran, 94, died on 11 July 2017, in Springfield, MA. Joseph served on the USS Atka as a LTJG. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Bruce C. Cutler, 71, died on 10 July 2017, in Ipswich, MA. Bruce served on the USCGC Eastwind. Year(s) unknown.

*OAE Jennie Darlington, 93, died on 20 August 2017, at her farm near Marshall, VA. Jennie was part of the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition of 1947–48. She and the expedition leader´s wife, Edith “Jackie” Ronne, were the first women to spend a full year on the frozen continent. She described the journey in My Antarctic Honeymoon, published in 1956.

OAE Lloyd C. “Chuck” Days Sr., 78, died on 5 September 2017, in DeWitt, MI. Church served on the USS Glacier as an Aviation Boatswain Mate Second Class rescue swimmer with HUTRON Four Detachment 69 during DF-61

*OAE Richard R. Dempsey, 79, died on 5 August 2017, in Virginia Beach, VA. Richard served in DF-61 as an AG2 on TF-43 staff as an ice observer. He also served in DF-71 through DF-74 as an AG1 in ASA Det C.

OAE Mary Terese Dolan, 83, died on 14 September 2017, in Sacramento, CA. Mary visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Jasper Franklin Edwards, Jr “Juju”, 89, died on 29 September 2017, in Springfied, GA. Juju was a member of Operation Highjump. Edwards Cove on the is named in his honor.

OAE Melvin "Roy" Eunice, 82, died on 27 September 2017. Roy served on the USS Curtiss during DF-II.

OAE Brian David Ewing, 61, died on 10 July 2017, in Yuma, AZ. Brian visited scientific activities in Antarctica to install GPS Equipment he developed. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Gilbert Gerald Fortin, 57, died on 8 August 2017, at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Gilbert served in Antarctica as an electrician with Raytheon the USAP contractor. Year unknown.

OAE Bonnie Rae Thomas Foster, 75, died on 1 August 2017, in Sugarloaf Shores, FL. Bonnie visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Edward Gary Freda, USN (Ret), 83, died on 25 July 2017, at Noland Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL. Edward served in Antarctica. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE William B., Gannett, 93, long time resident of Hopedale, MA died on 4 July 2017, in Laconia, NH. William and his wife visited Antarctica several times as tourists. On one of their trips to Antarctica, they circumnavigated the continent, on the first cruise ship to accomplish this feat.

OAE Arthur Geise, 90, died on 9 February 2017, in Australia. Arthur wintered over as a weather observer with ANARE at Heard Island in 1951, later wintering-over as Met OIC at Mawson Station in 1983, and wintering again as Met OIC at Macquarie Island in 1985.

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OAE William “Bill” Dale Gilbert, 76, died on 12 July 2017, in Pattaya City, Thailand. Bill served in Antarctica with the US Navy. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE LCDR Donald Anthony Gilliamsen, USN (Ret), 87, died on 11 August 2017, in Jacksonville, FL. Donald served as a Super Constellation (Phoenix 6) pilot in VXE-6 during DF-69 and DF-70. Gilliamsen Peak is named in his honor.

OAE Marvin Greenberg died on 2 September 2017, in Warwick, RI. Marvin served on the USS Atka, Year(s) unknown.

OAE LTCOL Victor Greenblatt, USAF (Ret), 97, died in Pittsburgh, PA. Victor visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Dorene K. Griffin, 85, died on 26 September 2017, in Seattle, WA. Dorene visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Caecilia M. Hahn (née van den Boom), 92, died on 13 August 2017, in Athens, GA. Caecilia visited Antarctica as a tourist with her husband Walther.

OAE Walther L. Hahn, 94, died on 5 August 2017, in Athens, GA. Walther and his wife visited Antarctica as tourists.

OAE Kathryn “Kathy” Bowman Halenbeck, 87, died on 20 June 2017, in Santa Barbara, CA. Kathy and her husband visited Antarctica as tourists.

OAE John R. Holloway, 77, died on 6 September 2917, in Medford, OR. John participated in a three-month research expedition to Antarctica. Year unknown.

*OAE Ronald S. Hood, 78, died on 20 March 2017, in Franklin, MA. Ronald served in VX-6 in 1963–65 on the cargo crew.

OAE William “Bill:” Kent Horner Jr., 88, died on 31 August 2017, in San Diego, CA. Bill wintered-over at McMurdo with MCB (Special) as an AG1 during DF-I. He also served on CTF-43 Staff (Davisville Det) during DF-61 and was in ASA summer support during DF-66 and DF-67.

OAE Benjamin T. Jackson, 88, died on 28 June 2017, in Weston, MA. Benjamin visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE William Barker Jerome, 94, died on 28 August 2017, in Stonington, CT. William visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Edward W. Johnson, Jr., "Johnny", died on 26 August 2017. Johnny served in Antarctica with Litton Industries.

*OAE Jan Karl Just, 74, died on 7 October 2014, in East Syracuse, NY. Jan served on the USCGC Eastwind during DF-60.

OAE UTCM John Joseph. Kania, USN (Ret), 83, died on 22 September 2017, in Pensacola, FL. John served with MCB (Special) during DF-I. He was a member of the OAEA GCG Chapter.

OAE Brian Anthony Kelleher, DDS, 59, died on 5 July 2017, in Palmer, CA. Brian visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Adam G. Kendhammer, 32, died on 13 July 2017, in La Crosse, WI, as the result of injuries sustained in a car crash. Adam worked two summers at McMurdo as a USAP contractor. Years unknown.

OAE Billy Wayne Key, USN (Ret), 67, died on 4 July 2017, in Orange Park, FL. Billy Served in Antarctica with NSFA from April 1988 through May 1991.

OAE Hilda Kolk, 98, died on 10 July 2017, at Covenant Village of the Great Lakes in Grand Rapids, MI. Hilda visited Antarctica twice as a tourist.

OAE J. Nicholas “Nick” Lacharite, 72, died on 6 August 2017, Haverhill, MA. Nick served in Antarctica as a SeaBee with Mobile Construction Battalion One during DF-62.

OAE John D. Lagerquist, 79, died on 16 December 2016, in Eugene, OR. John and his wife visited Antarctica as tourists.

OAE Ken Langfield, 68, died on 14 July 2017, in Ho-Ho-Kus, NY. Ken served in VX-6 from 1970 through 1974. After he left Antarctica he married Lorriane in Christchurch, NZ.

*OAE Margaret Clare Lanyon, 85, died on 31 July 2017, in Christchurch, NZ. Margaret was a USARP/USAP administration secretary in Christchurch for 33 years. She made several trips to Antarctica. Lanyon Peak is named in her honor.

OAE Howard “Howie” A. Le Vaux, 84, died on 28 August 2017, in Ashburton, MA. Howie wintered-over at Byrd Station in 1958–59 (DF-IV) as an aurora physicist and was a member of the 1959–60 Marie Byrd Land Travers Party. Le Vaux Peak was named in his honor.

OAE Jerry D. Loughridge, USN (Ret), 81, died on 16 August 2017, in Homosassa, FL. Jerry served in Antarctica with the Seabees. Unit and year(s) unknown.

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*OAE LT Wilfred "Bud" L. Lowe, USN (Ret), 93, died on 20 September 2017, in Pensacola, FL. Bud served as a PH1 on the USS Pine Island during Operation High Jump. He served as the photographer at the debriefing of the survivors of the crash of George One. Lowe Nunataks are named in his honor. He was a member of the OAEA Gulf Coast Group Chapter.

OAE Bonnie Enderud. McCosh, 95, died on 17 July 2017, in La Jolla, CA. Bonnie visited Antarctica as a member of the San Diego Zoo expedition. Year Unknown.

Colleen “Mozzy” Molenaar, 96, died on 21 February 2017, in Bow, WA. Mozzy was the wife of OAEA member Dee Molenaar.

^OAE Boatswain's Mate Petty Officer 1st Class (BM1) William Frank Northey, USN, 32, died on 31 January 1989, at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, while temporarily assigned to cargo operations in support of Operation Deep Freeze. A memorial service was held in Chapel of the Snows, at McMurdo. Another memorial service was conducted in the Naval Weapons Station Chapel in Williamsburg. A funeral was held in Norwalk, Calif. and burial was in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Calif.

*OAE LCDR (SC) Thomas “Tom” E. Orr, USN (Ret), 80, died on 9 July 2017, in Long Prairie, MN. Tom served in AIRDEVRON SIX (VX-6) during DF-68 and 69 as the supply officer and leader of the para-rescue team. Orr Island is named in his honor.

*OAE George Purcell, 81, died on 25 March 2017, in Lakeside, CA. George wintered-over at McMurdo during DF-68 as an RM1.

OAE CWO Donald “Don” W. Putman, USN (Ret), 80, died on 8 September 2017, in Zephyrhills, FL. Don wintered over at McMurdo with Crew VIII (DF-60) as a construction electrician chief (CEC) at the PM3A nuclear power plant.

OAE Jimmy Curtis Rainwater Sr., 74, died on 26 September 2017, in Bauxite, AR. Jimmy served in Antarctica with the US Navy. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Holmes Bridgers Ramsay, 70, died on 25 August 2017, in Wellesley, MA. Holmes visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Carl Richard Ritter, 89, died on 24 August 2017, at The Lakes of Monclova, in Northwest, OH. Carl served in Antarctica with the US Navy. Unit and year(s) unknown.

*OAE UT1 Kenneth “Kenn” Erwin Saxman, USN (Ret), 71 died on 6 September 2017, in Saucier, MS. Kenn served in Antarctica with the SeaBees as a utilitiesman first class (UT1). .He wintered-over twice. His first winter was at South Pole Station during DF-73. His duties included water making, snow melting, heating, laundry service, defueling and refueling LC-130 aircraft. He was sitting in GCA watching for touch down when LC-130 BUNO 917 crashed and burned. His second winter-over was at McMurdo during DF-77. His duties included heating and plumbing shop UT. Water distribution and sewer, and boiler tender.

OAE Grace Berg Schaible, 91, died on 9 June 2017, in Fairbanks, AK. Grace and her husband visited Antarctica as tourists.

OAE John Patrick "Sco" Scofield, 58, died on 27 August 2017, in Orono, ME. Sco spent three seasons (years unknown) in Antarctica with the University of Maine doing research.

OAE DR George Sidorowicz, PhD, 81, died on 17 August 2017, in Toronto, Canada. George received his doctorate based on the Arctic Lemming. George loved to read, especially books on the north; Amundson's trip across the North Arctic Pole and his journey to the South Pole. He arranged to meet a survivor from Amundson's group, namely, his radio operator. George visited Antarctica in his for knowledge. Editor’s Note: In view of his doctorate on Lemmings I wonder if he visited Antarctica in search of the land bridge from South America to Antarctica? See article on page 11 of this issue.

OAE Charles Stephen "The Hammer" Sedlak, 78, died on 27 July 2017, at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Florham Park, NJ. Charles served for six years in the Navy as a SeaBees and made two deployments to Antarctica. Years unknown. He was very proud to have helped build the first nuclear power plant in Antarctica.

OAE CDR Carl W. Short, SC USN (Ret), 92, died on 23 July 2017, in Pawleys Island, SC. After he retired from the Navy Carl visited Antarctica as a tourist in 1998.

OAE Delores A. Simpson, 88, died on 5 July 2017, in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Delores visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Jean Annette Sinclair, 88, died on 13 July 2017, in Toronto, Canada. Jean visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Allen Daniel Smith, 69, died on 27 September 2017, in Cleveland, OH. Allen visited Antarctica as a tourist.

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OAE Robert W. Solt, 89, died on 31 August 2017, in Frankenmuth, MI. Robert visited Antarctica in November 1965 (DF-66) as a journalist.

OAE Odis Dempsey Sparkman, 79, died on 28 September 2017, in Greenville, SC. Odis served in Antarctica with the USAF during DF-III and IV.

OAE Kenneth G. Speich, 90, died on 20 July 2017, at St. Josephs Hospital in Marshfield, WI. Kenneth served in the US Navy as a signalman during Operation Highjump. Unit unknown.

OAE James Walter Steen, 82, died on 27 August 2017, in Calgary Alberta, CA. James served in Antarctica from 1962 through 1965 with the British Antarctica Survey doing research by dog team.

OAE Robert “Rob” John Stephure, 37, died on 8 July 2017, in Calgary, Alberta, CA. Rob visited Antarctica in 2008 to study penguins.

OAE Rose O'Bradovich Stromsta, 91, died on 11 September 2017, in Kalamazoo, MI. Rose was an active golfer and she travelled to Antarctica, hitting golf balls on the 7th continent

*OAE John H. Swenson, 70, died on 27 August 2017, in Warwick, RI. He was a member of the OAEA New England Chapter. John served as an EO1 with CBU-201 in McMurdo during DF-68 and at Palmer Station during DF-69.

OAE COL Burr Van Miller, Jr., USAF (Ret), 88, died on 19 September 2017, in Indianapolis, IN. Burr served in Antarctica with the USAF. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE The Honorable Michael “Mike” E. Welborn, 69, died on 11 September 2017, in Aransas Pass, TX. Mike wintered-over as an aerographers mate second class (AG2) during DF-72.

OAE Paul Herbert Wood, 77, died on 28 August 2017, in Leslie, MI. Paul visited Antarctica to run in a marathon.

OAE LCDR Howard Marvin Worley, USN, (Ret), 94, died on 10 September 2017, in Monmouth, OR. Howard served in Antarctica as a helicopter pilot on the USS Atka. Year(s) and helicopter unit unknown.

OAE Vestal. L. “Pappy” Yeats, 98, died on 28 July 2017, in Indianapolis, IN. Pappy. served in Antarctica with Operation Highjump. Unit unknown. Pappy later made three trips (1962–65) to Antarctica with the University of Texas mapping areas of the Shackleton and Beardmore . Yeats Glacier is named in his honor.

with a press tour C h a p l a i n ’ s C o r n e r when one of the Johnnie Draughon—OAEA Chaplain reporters asked,

“What time is it?” “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With The station guide the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a with us was quick to thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not respond, “What time do you want it to be? slow in keeping his promise, as some understand If it’s 3 o’clock – slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting stand over there.” I’m anyone to perish, but everyone to come to writing this devotion repentance. (2 Peter 3: 8-9) as the summer season has just ended. I will turn it in to was in a conversation recently where we were trying to “Ace” and it will appear in The Gazette just as a new season Icomprehend God living outside of time and space. A begins. And we certainly want to pray for their safety and subject that is much deeper than I can wrap my mind around. success throughout the summer. Of course, we don’t live However, it was a reminder that time can be a funny thing. outside of time and space – no matter how strange time may Those of us who have spent time on “The Ice” know what be. With that said our time on this earth is short. If we desire I’m talking about. Remember after you had returned to the to enjoy God’s time we need to begin planning now. Just ice for a couple of weeks you wondered if you ever really something to take a little time to think about. th left? While watching the TV series The 7 Continent I May the blessings be! looked at the stories and realized that if I were to return to Johnnie Draughon McMurdo today in a very short period it would seem like I’d been there forever. Or, I remember visiting Pole Station once

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TIDEWATER GROUP GET TOGETHER by Ed Hamblin

By the time you see this in the Gazette, our October Back in early July, we had our outing will be past; next one beyond that will be Saturday, quarterly Tidewater OAE lunch January 6th, 2018 at Terri’s Breakfast and Lunch Restaurant social. Not a very large turnout, on Military Highway in Norfolk (not far from the airport). Bbut as always, still fun to attend People start showing up around 11:30, and we are normally and listen to the “mail”; sharing some out of there by 1:30 as the restaurant closes by 2. If you stuff: stories, pictures, articles, and the would like to be added to the Tidewater area e-mail “tree” like. No new faces at this one to for reminders, drop an e-mail to [email protected]. “introduce”. Around the table were regulars Brad Miller, Bill Raymus, Cliff & Jean Dickey, Herb Schaefer, Bill Murray, Dianne Hallett, Wayne Rogers, and Ed & Linda Hamblin.

Brad Mille

Bill Murray Bill Raymus

Wayne Rodgers

Diane Hallett Linda Hamblin

Ed Hamblin and Ed Shaeffer

Cliff Dickey, Jean Dickey

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A L O N E O N T H E I C E C

Compiled & edited byBilly-Ace The year-long undertaking was perilous,

BOOK REVIEW as David Roberts makes clear in Alone on the Ice. Working from two base camps, the men spent the long winter months in shelters. When “summer” came, they set out in parties

of three, going as far as 600 miles round-trip Alone on the Ice . The Greatest Survival across an uncharted land of ice, gale winds of Story in the History of Exploration. By up to 100 miles per hour and deep crevices. David Roberts, trade paperback 368 pages, The most ambitious thrust of all was illustrated with black and white photos; Mawson’s own. On 10 November 1913, he Norton & Company. Available from and two companions, Belgrave Ninnis and , who made up the Far Eastern Amazon.com. Also in hardback and Party, left the base camp, intending to return Kindle. by 15 January, when they expected a ship to

pick up the explorers. R E V I E W

By Sandra Dallas t was the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, when Scott, Shackleton, and Amundsen were household Inames. Like those men, Australian set out on a journey in 1912 to explore the Antarctic, but unlike them, his goal was not to reach the South Pole. Instead, Mawson and the other members of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) intended to make scientific observations and gather specimens. It was, wrote a historian, “the greatest and most consummate expedition that ever sailed for Antarctica.”

Belgrave Ennis in uniform Xavier Mertz Swiss lawyer of Royal Fusiliers and ski champion On 8 February a starving and badly debilitated Mawson stumbled into the base camp alone. His face was covered with boils, the skin on his feet had sloughed off and his hair was coming out. Ninnis had fallen into a crevice and died while Mertz had succumbed to a mysterious ailment—he probably was poisoned by eating dog meat—and Mawson had trekked 150 miles alone through blizzards driven by fierce winds. He once fell into a himself and would have been lost forever if he hadn’t been inspired by a Robert W. Service poem and extricated himself by superhuman determination. Sir called Mawson’s lone struggle “the greatest survival story in the history of exploration.” In Alone on the Ice, former Colorado resident Roberts, whose first book The Mountain of My Fear, about his own brush with death on an icy mountain a generation ago, tells the Mawson story in cold prose. You feel the freezing temperatures, the fear, the desperation, along with the loyalty of the other AAE members. Alone on the Ice is a gripping narrative filled with detail from the diaries of Mawson and other members of the AAE. Mawson Douglas Mawson at 28 years of age considered the journals so important that although he

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۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ ۩ discarded crampons, rope, equipment, and virtually everything but tent and food to lighten his load, he brought back Mertz’s journal. R E V I E W

By Dennia Drabelle he lonely iceman celebrated in David Roberts’s new Tbook is Australian explorer Douglas Mawson, who in January 1913 performed the kind of feats today associated with du Soleil: contortions while dangling at the end of a rope. But while the Cirque jocks train their bodies incessantly and practice each move repeatedly before putting it on display, Mawson reached his moment of truth unawares. After he fell partway into an Antarctic crevasse, his task was not to play Tarzan in the most audience- pleasing way (in fact, he was separated from the nearest human being by hundreds of miles) but to save his own life. Mawson’s prowess is little-known because he put it to work in an era when other, more visible explorers were making end-of-the-Earth history. In 1911, a Norwegian team led by had been the first to reach the South Pole, a few weeks ahead of the Briton and his crew, who perished on the way back north. There was also Ernest Shackleton, who, oddly, has become

AAE Explorer peering into open crevasse the patron saint of business tycoons on the strength of his As if the struggle to survive and return to camp weren’t artful guidance of his 1914–17 trans-Antarctic expedition enough, Mawson had a second worry. What if he arrived through mishaps, horrid weather and daunting logistics. back at the base camp too late? What if the rescue ship had No wonder, then, that Mawson’s Australian Antarctic come and gone? Would anyone have stayed behind to wait Expedition (AAE), aimed at scientific discoveries rather for him, or would his men have concluded he was dead? If than Pole-bagging, has been overshadowed by the treks of with superhuman endurance, he made it back, would he be his showier peers. In Alone on the Ice, Roberts, a veteran not only alone on the ice but alone in the Antarctic? mountain climber and chronicler of adventures, admirably Alone on the Ice is a chilling story. succeeds in restoring the luster that the AAE and its leader deserve.

Blizzard, one of the pups born during the expedition Among the assets the “impossibly handsome” Mawson brought to the expedition were intelligence (he taught mineralogy and petrology at the University of Adelaide in South Australia); experience (he had been an underling on one of Shackleton’s expeditions); and a democratic ethos. The Aurora returns Unlike Scott, for example, Mawson reckoned that the

30 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 17, I S S U E 3 J U L  S E P 2 0 1 7 barriers of class mattered little in close quarters thousands of broken. Mawson and Mertz shouted, got no response, miles from civilization. As Roberts puts it, “Mawson ransacked their packs and reluctantly concluded that their fraternized constantly with his teammates, ate with them at a combined ropes were nowhere near long enough for a communal table, and both gave and sought advice at every rescue attempt. The following morning, they held a burial hand.” service and pushed on. Like many other Antarctic expeditions, the AAE split itself up for efficiency’s sake. A contingent on Macquarie Island, about halfway between Australia and the Antarctic mainland, provided support while two other parties—one headed by Mawson—ventured south to carry out various missions, the most important being to get a good fix on the . The Macquarie Islanders had a rougher go of it than they should have. Unluckily, they set up their base at Cape Denison, which we now know is the windiest place in the world (with the possible exception of the summits of mountains like Everest and K-2). Hurricane Sandy as felt in the Washington region was mere puffery compared with what those five men had to endure a century ago. “In May Mertz emerging from the trap door in the roof of the hut 1912,” Roberts writes, “for thirty-one straight days, through twenty-four hours each day, the wind averaged 60.7 mph.” A few weeks later, Mertz was dead, too, a victim of dysentery and . Mawson, then, was all alone when he fell into a crevasse in which he was brought up short by a rope attached to his body. The walls of the crevasse were six feet apart, “out of reach of even a wildly swinging boot.” Roberts continues: “Mawson dangled free in space, 14 feet below the surface, which was visible only as a small hole directly above.” In the next few minutes, he had to call upon almost unimaginable reserves of will and athleticism. I’ll leave to Roberts the details of how the explorer escaped from the pit and eventually rejoined his distant colleagues. Suffice it to say that in 2007, when a young, fit, modern-day adventurer tried to duplicate Mawson’s feat exactly as originally performed, he couldn’t do it. Knighted in 1914, Sir Douglas Mawson died in 1958, at Penguins near a wrecked ship on Macquarie Island the age of 76, almost half a century after surviving a fall that Several months later and far to the south, Mawson and might have been the death of anyone else in the world. two hand-picked companions—Belgrave Ninnis, a baby- faced lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers, and Xavier Mertz, a ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Swiss lawyer and accomplished mountaineer—were David Roberts was a sledging along in an area riddled with hidden by winner of the Prix ice and snow. In the lead, Mertz signaled “crevasse” by Mediterrane and the grand raising a ski pole. Next came Mawson, who went so far as prize of the Banff to issue a verbal warning to Ninnis behind him. Ninnis must Mountain Book Festivial. have heard this. Mawson looked back in time to watch as He is the author of his colleague “swung the leading dogs so as to cross the numerous mountaineering crevasse squarely instead of diagonally as my sledge had books and he currently done. I then resumed my work and dismissed the matter lives in Massachusetts. from my thoughts. . . . When I next looked back, it was in response to the anxious gaze of Mertz who had turned round and halted in his tracks. Behind me nothing met the eye except my own sledge tracks running back in the distance. Where were Ninnis and his sledge?” Gone. Lost. Swallowed by the crevasse, with only a single dog left visible on a ledge about 150 feet below the surface, whimpering because its back had evidently been David Leaning againt a boulder David Roberts

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NEW OAEA MEMBERS REUNION & MEETING INFORMATION The below listed personnel have joined the OAEA since the previous issue of the Gazette. Send reunion notices to Billy-Ace Baker at 850 456 3556 Thanks to Ed Hamblin, ADFA Reunion, Black Jack or [email protected] for publication in the Gazette

Stewart, Google.com news releases, Elaine Hood, Marty USS/USCG Edisto Association: Charleston, SC. 7–11 Diller, Dan Gullett, OAEA Web Site Contact Form, OAEs- September 2017. POC: Glenn Smith, PO Box 747, Mims, and-FNGs Email List, News, Johnnie Nash, Nuke FL 32754, by phone at: 321 269 5637, or by email at: Digest, John Lamont West, Gus Shinn, Melvin Good, and [email protected]. The reunion web page is at: the USCGC Eastwind Association for recruiting new www.steadyeddy.org. All US Navy and USCG Icebreaker members or for providing names and contact info for personnel are invited. prospective members. If you know of any OAE, or anyone interested in USS Glacier (AGB-4) Association: San Antonio, TX, 27 Antarctica, who is not a member of the OAEA please send September – 1 October 2017. POC: 4120 Pepperwood Trail, their contact info to the OAEA Membership Chairman at Minnetonka, MN 55305. Phone: 952 935 1107, or by email [email protected] or 850 456 3556 at: [email protected].

USS/USCGC Burton Island (AG-88/WAGB-283): Las *Denotes Associate Member §Denotes Upgrade to Life or Renewal of Annual Member Vegas, NV, 11–14 September 2017. POC Robert Sanchez, ΦDenotes Upgrade to Regular Member 505 550 8495, [email protected]. The Burton Island served during: Highjump, Windmill, DF-IV, 60, 62, 64, 66, Blight, Samantha CIV *Life Husband & Father- 69 through 71, and 73. in-Law served with ANARE USCGC Westwind (AGB-6 WAGB-281): Mobile, AL, 8– Emick, John NOK Life Surviving Son of 11 Sep 2017. POC Alex Mavica, 845 353 7040.or Major Emick USA [email protected]. The Westwind served during DF-IV, Terminal Ops Dept 67 68 70, and 71. Head 77-79 USS Wilhoite (DER-397): Dayton, OH, 2–5 October 2017. Jackson, Jimmy CIV Life MV Seabourne POC Elisabeth Kimball: 479 280 2776, or Quest 2017 [email protected]. The Wilhoite served during Jensen, Eivind CIV Life USAP Contractor DF-61. 1998-2002, 2005 Kindig, James LCDR Life VX/VXE-6 67-69 USS Yancey (AKA-93): Harrisburg, PA, 28 September – 2 Lewis, J. CWO4 USCG Life USCGC Eastwind October. POC George Clifton, phone 708 425 8531. USCGC Glacier 63-65, 69-70, 75-77 USS Sennet (SS-408): Myrtle Beach, SC, 1–4 October Matt, Terry CIV Life South Pole 2004-11 2017. POC Ralph Luther, PO Box 864, Summerville, SC Northey, William BM1 Memorial NAVCHAPGRU 29484-0864, or [email protected].

Peipock, John PR3 Life VXE-6 1971-73 OAEA: San Antonio, TX, 9-11 May 2018. POC John Stephano, Ron CIV *§Life Artist. Painted Lamont West: at [email protected] or 956 229 9797.

Pictures of Que Sera Sera

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● Sanuel Blance is writing a book about penguins and needs OAE LOCATOR our help. Here is the email message that I received from him: My name is Samuel Blanc, I work as a guide specialized in Send locator information to the editor by email at polar regions since 10 years after being a scientist in [email protected], or by snail mail to 10819 Berryhill Road, Antarctica. I am currently doing some research about the Pensacola FL 32506, or by phone at 850 456 3556. Emperor penguin, with the aim to write a book about the discovery of this bird (from first sighting to the last satellite ● Edward Vaughan is looking for fellow old Antgarctic survey). One chapter will be about the Emperor penguin explorers! He ia hoping to link up with old colleagues, taken from Antarctica to the USA, during Operation Deep whether science, contractor, or military. Edward served with Freeze and “Hitchhiker” operations. Is there any chance the 109th Airlift Wing LC-130 skibirds as Deep Freeze someone could help me looking at documents and photos navigator and then pilot during summers 93–94, 94–95, 96– regarding that? Thank you so much for your help. All the 97, 97–98, 99–00, and 00–01. Went back to serve with Joint best, Samuel Blanc at 49 chemin des Combes 38760 Saint Task Force - Support Forces Antarctica from 2009–2011. Paul de Varces, France email : [email protected] When he grows up he hopes to winter over. Edward can be contacted by email at: [email protected], or by phone: 571-970-8948, or by snail mail: #907, 1801 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202.

Samuel Blanc in penguin rookery ● Bob Titus would like to hear from any of the cadre who was at Hallett station during Deep Freeze 61. Bob can be contacted by email at: [email protected], by snail mail at: 985 Sienna Park Dr. Reno NV 89512-1359, or by phone Edward Vaughan NYANG at: 775-345-1349 ● Jim Bartley. EM2 Byrd Station DF-65 is looking for ● Walter James has not heard a lot about CBMU-201 and Anyone out there who spent any time in the tunnels of Byrd would like to know if. Any one is still around? Station during 1964–65? This was the time when Carl Disch Decommissioned in 1971 Walter was assigned in 1969. He wandered off and was never found. Jim can be contacted by can be contacted by email at: [email protected], by email at: [email protected], by snail mail at: phone at: 617-361-8993, or by snail mail at: 115 Needham 2620 Ley Road, Cle Alum, WA 98922, or by telephone at: Rd, Hyde Park, MA 02136. 509-674-6464

● Alfred Oxton is looking for Dr Rob LaBarre. During the early 1990s Alfred worked at Palmer Station Antarctica and Dr. Rob LaBarre was the station doctor. After they both left The Ice they carried on a correspondence for several years and in May of 1998 Alfred visited him at his home in Lodi California. Since then they have lost contact and Alfred would like to find him again. Alfred can by contacted by email at [email protected]., by phone at: 207 743 3378, or by snail mail at: P.O. Box 313 Tonopah AZ 85354-0313

● Marsha Vatne is looking for info on her nephew’s father Elmer. C. Rose who was with the Seabess during Highjump and was transported to The Ice on the USS Yancey, Marsha can be reached by enail mail at: [email protected], by phone at: 850-281-6129, or by snail mail at: 1530 Crystal Driver Walter James, left, gets trip ticket from Drive, Cantonment FL 32522. dispatcher Ozie Cato

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Gulf Coast Group Chapter Happenings by Billy-Ace Penguin Baker Saturday 1 July 2017 Meeting—19 members and guests showed up for our July meeting. The only first time attendee was Alyssa Kroll who was Ashlee Baker’s guest. I thought there was another first time attendee, but the name was unknown to me. It turned out to be our head waiter Ricardo Almos who also signed the muster sheet.

Danny Thompson Baker playing with his tablet

Tracey Baker, Ashley Baker, & Alsyssa Kroll

Jack McLendon NSFA WO McMurdo DF-79. USAP Contractor summer DF-82 & 83.

The Faz aka Bill Fazio in his vintage DF-67 T-shirt We did not have a 50/50 or door prize drawing. Duck made a few announcements. One that I had asked him to make was that due to the deaths of the main editor and the Antarctic editor, the American Polar Society will not be able to publish The Polar Times until they find editors. Lennie had some Puckered Pete license plates for sale and he also had some of the older OAEA decals that he was giving away. Thanks to Lennie for taking meeting photos. The next meeting will be at the Rico Mexican on 5 August 2017. We hope to have someone from the Coast Guard as our LHJ aka Doyle McClung, chating with guest speaker. Gary & Peggy Skaar

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Saturday 5 August 2017 Meeting—25 members and guests showed up on another very rainy day in Pensacola. Due to a short fuse the Coast Guard Auxiliary was unable to provide a guest speaker, so I will coordinate with them for a later date. First time attendees were Walter and Nelly Marsh. Actually Walter said that he had attended one other meeting, but I could not find any record of it. In any event Walter served on the USS Glacier during DF-61 as an ETRSN. Another icebreaker sailor, Mike Kovacs, who served on the USS Atka during DF-62, wore an Atka T-shirt to the meeting so Walter hooked up with Mike and they sat in a corner telling each other sea stories, or ice stories. Cindy and Les Liptak

After Les finished his report on Chuck Minerman I presented a guest speaker plaque to Pam Landy for her daughter Maria who was the featured guest speaker at our May meeting. When Maria made Sergeant she was also made the supervisor of the police detail at the Pensacola airport. To make a long story short, someone called in sick, or whatever, so Maria took that officer’s watch and she was unable to attend today’s meeting, so Pam accept the plaque on Maria’s behalf.

Me In the corner with Mike Kovacs and Walter Marsh

Pam Landy was the first person to arrive and as soon as she finished her lunch she started selling 50/50 tickets, and I coerced Sean Baker to pass out the door prize tickets. While the ticket sales were going on Les Liptak asked for the floor and he Presenting the plaque to Pam provide us with a health and welfare update on Chuck Minerman a former GCG Chapter member who relocated to Nevada a few years ago. Chuck Always wore some kind of crazy hat to the meetings. It was before the Crazy Hat Lady aka Liz Konrad became a member. Chuck Minerman Close-up of Plaque

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Larry & Sharon Preston

Ella Jane Hoffmaster

John Perry Blackwelder and is dad Billy Blackwelder waiting for the waitress The next item on the agenda was the drawings. I asked Ella Jan Hoffmaster to draw a ticket for the door prizes. The other half of the ticket she pulled from the to-go box was held by Albert Burton and the prizes consisted of an Antarctic themed tote bag and a ceramic penguin trivet. Amy Preston The 50/50 drawing was won by Amy Preston who took home $43 as her share of the kitty, There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. The next GCG Chapter meeting will be at the Rico Mexican Restaurante on 2 September.

Peggy Skaar Al Burton

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Saturday 2 September 2017 Meeting—32 members and guests were in attendance. The only first time attendee was Walter Marsh. We did not have a guest speaker, but we did have a guest of honor—namely, Gus Shinn, and we were gathered to celebrate his 95th birthday.

The Cake The cake, penguin suckers, and all the trimmings, including the little penguin decoration holding the OAEA logo, were created/procured by the Blackwelder family. Before the cake was cut our leader, Duck Talbert, spoke a few words in praise of Gus, Billy Blackwelder, Gary Skaar with his notes and halo. and Gary Skaar also took the floor and said a few words. Even Gus got up did a little happy dance.

Billy Blackwelder Gus doing his Happy Dance

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I don’t remember speaking any words except that I wanted a piece of cake from the corner of the cake. And I did put on my Happy Face makeup even though I was scowling.

Ashlee Baker with her 50/50 winnings Billy-Ace in his Happy Face Following a few announcements Duck started selling the 50/50 tickets while I passed out the door prize tickets. The 50/50 drawing was won by Ashlee Baker and she took home $50 as her share. The door prize drawing, consisting of a South Pole philatelic cover bearing a Gus Shinn postage stamp and a box of penguin paper clips was won by Ken Pye’s dog Bradley. Following the drawings the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be at the Rico Mexican Restaurante on 7 October.

Becky & Doyle McClung aka LHJ Our smiling waitress Ashley Canady taking an order

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us’s daughter Connie who lives in Charlotte, NC Gwanted to have a birthday party here in Pensacola at the Naval Aviation museum. So, arrangements were made to have the party on 12 September, his actual birthday. Connie funded the cake and Billy Blackwelder and Gary Skaar took care of the logistics. I was off the hook on this one, but I did arrived in time to place the name tags on the tables.

The cake Tom Henderson, Gus & One of the waitresses shows Gus his cake Ron Stephano Due to Hurricane Irma on the east coast Connie was unable to attend, but we did have two guests from out of town. Those being Tom Henderson from New York, and Ron Stephano from Luxenbourg. Gus’ daughter invited about 20 people to the surprise party, but not everyone showed up.

Having lunch with the Cake Eaters Carolyn Speed, Marie Landy, and Billy Blackwelder

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Sheryl Sumpter and Billy-Ace seated. Ron Henderson, Gus, and Ron Stephano standing in background Editor’s Note: The below notes were received from Gus’ daughters following his birthday party.

Thanks to everyone who took part in pulling off Dad's 95th surprise birthday party at the Air Museum. I was so disappointed to not make it, but so appreciative for everything that y’all did to make it a success. From keeping it a secret, to arranging the room, to picking up the cake, to chauffeuring Gus, and all the other details— Gus Inspecting his cake all of you have my heartfelt gratitude. Dad was thrilled with his celebration. It would not have happened except for the efforts of such wonderful friends. Hopefully, one of these days, I’ll be able to come & see everyone & thank you in person. It’s been 5 years since my last visit, and that’s long enough. Wishing you all a nice fall season, Gus’s Middle Kid, Connie B

I Was talking to Dad yesterday. He is still amazed with all of the hoopla that surrounded his 95th birthday. He was so touched with all of the effort everyone took to make it unforgettable. Thank you for all that you did. Diane Cindy Baker, Jimmy Baker, and Cindy Liptak

Group photo of attendees. Standng from ledt to right: Jim Baker, Pam Landy, Cindy Baker (Jimmy’s wife), Gary Skaar, Joyce Blackwelder, Sheryl Sumpter (Gus Shinn’s lady friend), Cindy Liptak, Les Liptak, Ron Stephano, & Carolyn Speed. Seated, left to right: Billy-Ace, Billy Blackwelder, Gus, Marie landy, and Tom Henderson

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