Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare aeronautic presentation medal to Commander Richard Byrd, United States Navy, for his non-stop Transatlantic flight to France

NATIONAL AERONAUTIC ASSOCIATION OF THE U.S.A., PARIS CHAPTER, silver medal, by E. Blin, awarded for non-stop Transatlantic Flight, 1927, Icarus clasping rock in rough seas, biplane above, reverse three female figures reclining on globe, wreath below, engraved on the rim above (For Non Stop Transatlantic Flight America to France) and on tablet below (Paris France Chapter National Aeronautic Assn. U.S.A. to Coin. Richard E. Byrd U.S.N.) 68mm, contained in its fitted case of issue, extremely fine and rare

Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, United States Navy, was one of America's most distinguished pioneers of long distance flight and polar exploration. Having completed the first flight over the North Pole in May, 1926, Byrd determined to make the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic ocean from west to east. With two companions, Byrd took off from New York in the Fokker trimoror 'America' on the 29th June, 1927. After 42 hours in the air the 'America' reached the coast of France and crash landed at Ver-sur-Mer in Brittany. Byrd and his two companions were given a hero's welcome in New York with an official reception by the Mayor who presented Byrd with the Medal of Valour.