IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 301 

Encouraging the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense to support a recovery mission 

for the human remains of the crew killed in the George One crash 

in Antarctica, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 15, 2008 

Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. TANNER, and Mr. LAMPSON) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Science and Technology and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Encouraging the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense to support a recovery mission for the human remains of the crew killed in the George One crash in 

Antarctica, and for other purposes. 

Whereas in 1946, the George One was a Navy patrol plane 

involved in Operation Highjump, an expedition in Antarctica led by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd; 

Whereas on December 30, 1946, the George One and its 

nine-man crew embarked on a mission to photograph and 

explore Antarctica; 

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Whereas during the December 30, 1946, mission, the George 

One experienced hazardous weather and crashed onto 

Thurston Island, Antarctica; 

Whereas three crewmen of the George One, Ensign Maxwell 

A. Lopez, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Frederick 

W. Williams, and Aviation Radioman 1st Class Wendell 

K. Hendersin, were killed in the crash; 

Whereas the survivors of the George One, after being stranded on Thurston Island for 7 days, buried the dead men 

and painted ‘‘Williams, Hendersin, Lopez Dead’’ on the 

plane’s broken wing to act as a makeshift tombstone; 

Whereas the survivors of the George One intended for the 

grave to be temporary; 

Whereas Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd attempted to recover 

the human remains from Thurston Island but was precluded by hazardous weather; 

Whereas in 2004, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the United States Geological Survey determined the exact location of the George One wreckage; 

Whereas in 2005, the Navy canceled its intended recovery of 

the human remains and wreckage of the George One; and 

Whereas the Department of Defense declined to support a 

mission to recover the human remains and wreckage of 

the George One: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes that the families of the crew 

4 killed in the George One crash would benefit from 

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1 the recovery of their loved ones’ remains from Thur2 ston Island; 

3 (2) recognizes that the recovery of the make4 shift tombstone would allow the Smithsonian Institu5 tion’s National Air and Space Museum to share an 

6 important part of naval history with the public; and 

7 (3) encourages the United States Geological 

8 Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the 

9 Department of Defense to support in all practical 

10 ways a mission to recover the human remains and 

11 makeshift tombstone from Thurston Island. 

Æ 

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