Interview of Edward John Frankiewicz by Brian Shoemaker
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Date
2005-08-03T14:33:18Z
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program
Abstract
Cdr. Frankiewicz describes his boyhood in Rutland, Vermont. He had obtained his private pilot’s license, flight instructor’s rating, and commercial rating by late 1941. After flying for Pan Am in Africa, he joined the Naval Air Transport Squadron VR-1 in late 1942. After returning from the Korean War with VP-28, Frankiewicz heard about VX-6. The difficulties in flying to Antarctica from the U.S. in 1955 are summarized as well as Frankiewicz’s role in the transportation of materials for Operation Deepfreeze II. Cdr. Frankiewicz describes the problems of establishing supply stations and supplying Little America, Byrd Station, and McMurdo Station. D8 caterpillars were used to maintain runways and establish a trail from Little America to Byrd Station.
On a return trip to the Antarctic to help locate Bob Streich, Frankiewicz received word to stop in Venezuela to assist in the rescue of Jack Torbert and Charlie Otti. He also flew a Super DC3 to the Antarctic for Operation Deepfreeze III and assisted in the opening of Little America III and IV. Frankiewicz helped Dr. Zumberge study crevasses and recalls an interesting experience at Cape Hallet Station.
Cdr. Frankiewicz’s childhood in Vermont
Flight experiences that led to the Cdr.’s role as a transport pilot for the Navy in 1942
(Naval Transport Squadron VR-1)
Operation Deepfreeze I
First polar landing by Gus Shinn
The establishment of Beardmore Camp at Liv Glacier
Living conditions at Little America and McMurdo Stations
Establishment and maintenance of tractor supply trains from Little America to Byrd
Station
Rescue of Jack Torbert and Charlie Otti in Venezuela
Operation Deepfreeze III
Difficulties of flying into and clearing Little America and Cape Hallet
Description
Lt. Cdr. Pendergraff, pp. 4
Ed Ward, pp. 4, 28
Admiral Dufek, pp. 7, 10, 40, 46-47
Lt. Whalen, pp. 8
Harvey Speed, pp. 9, 35
Captain Cordiner, USN, pp. 9-10, 36-37
Lt. Cdr. Curtis, pp. 10
Gus Shinn, pp. 10, 13
Trigger Hawks, pp. 10, 13
Dr. Paul Siple, pp. 13, 33
Dick Bowers, pp. 13, 34
Mike Baronick, pp. 14
Bert Crary, pp. 15, 24, 27
Dr. Larry Gould, pp. 15
Lt. Bob Anderson, pp. 16
General McCarty, pp. 18
Jim Waldron, pp. 18
Max Kiel, pp. 20
Palle Mogesen, pp. 21
Phil Smith, pp. 21
Admiral Richard Byrd, pp. 25
Bob Streich, pp. 27-28
Jack Torbert, pp. 28, 49
Charlie Otti, pp. 28, 49
Cdr. V.J. Coley, pp. 31, 36, 41-42, 45-47
Captain George (Pullen? Pullman?), pp. 32, 45
Frank Tuck, pp. 33
Charlie Bevilaqua, pp. 33
Dave Baker, pp. 34
Jack Bursey, pp. 35
Gordon Eddy, pp. 37
Father Linehan, pp. 40
Captain Hedbloom, pp. 42, 44
Cdr. Witherow, pp. 42
Cdr. McBane, pp. 42
Cdr. Flynn, pp. 42
Bill Beckey, pp. 42
Reggie Taylor, pp. 42
Chief Warr, pp. 42, 44
Officer Conger, pp. 42, 44
Lt. J.G. George Porter, pp. 42
Lt. Cdr. Robinson, pp. 42
Dutch Gardiner, pp. 49
Jim Zumberge, pp. 51-52
Hugh Skilling, pp. 52-53
Bob Thompson, pp. 55
Father Darkowski, pp. 56
Sir Hubert Wilkins, pp. 56
The media can be accessed at the links below.
Audio Part 1: http://streaming.osu.edu/knowledgebank/byrd/oral_history/Edward_Frankiewicz_1.mp3
Audio Part 2: http://streaming.osu.edu/knowledgebank/byrd/oral_history/Edward_Frankiewicz_2.mp3
The media can be accessed at the links below.
Audio Part 1: http://streaming.osu.edu/knowledgebank/byrd/oral_history/Edward_Frankiewicz_1.mp3
Audio Part 2: http://streaming.osu.edu/knowledgebank/byrd/oral_history/Edward_Frankiewicz_2.mp3
Keywords
Operation Deepfreeze III