Evening star., 1935-05-11
mensely to mems knowledge of geog-

mensely to mems knowledge of geog-
raphy."
Each member of the expedition was
introduced individually to the audi
ence by Lieut. Condr George Neville,
airplane pilot and executive officer OF
the expedition. Music was provided
by the Marine Band and the pro-
ceedings were broadcast over tie ma
tional networks of both Columbia and
National broadcasting systems.
Byrd and his men were accorded an
impressive and enthusiastic welcome
at the Washington Navy Yard as they
set foot on American soil after an
absence of nearly two years. There
was scene of military splendor as
the President, members of his Cabi-
net. congressional leaders and Gov.
Peery of Virginia extended the official
welcome and praises Of the Nation
and his native State to the famous
leader and his men.
As the Bear of Oakland, conveyed
by Navy tug, neared the Navy Yard
wharf, on which stood nearly 300 rela-
tives of members of the expedition and
more than 5000 spectators, 13-gun
salute to Admiral Byrd echoed over
the river, the first of a half dozen
salutes as dignitary after dignitary
arrived, eliminating in the 19-gun
presidential salute
: As the Bear was warped into the
pier. Marine Corps drum and bugle
corps in full dress, with scarlet and
gold pennons, -wung jauntily through
the crowd, followed by the Navy Band
in full dress and battalion of Ma
rines forming the guard of honor.
Ranking naval officers and their
staffs, cleaning in white and gold,
appeared.
Members of the expedition, bronzed
by months of Antarctic winds and
tropical suns, were lined up on deck,
stiff in unaccustomed "shore going
clothes" Many were in dress uni
forms of the Navy and Marine Corps
and there was one Army uniform
Admiral Byrd, who had been in Navy
blue, changed to whites.
There was wait before the Presi-
dent arrived, filled by the band and
drum corps and by the arrival OF
Cabinet members, Senators and
Representatives and Gov. Peery
calling for crashing gun salutes and
f1ourishes and ruffles from the band
and bugles. No one was permitted to
leave the Bear and explorers looked
longingly at long-separated relatives
and friends waiting in q roped-off
enclosure on the wharf.
President Arrives.
Then, somewhat ahead of the for
NAL schedule, the Presidents car
rolled up, the guns doomed, the band
played, the drums nd bugles played
the Presidential fourishes, officers on
the Bear and on the wharf saluted
and the moment for the Homecoming
of the expedition arrived.
Led by Admiral Byrd and his execu-
tive, Comdr. Neville, the 121 expedi-
ton members filed down the gang
plank to home soil as the crowd
cheered Justify and the President
waited, smiling happily. Byrd marched
up to the President, who seized his
hand, then took him by the arm
and almost embraced him, beaming
and enthusiastic in his welcome.
After this warm and personal well
come, Admiral Byrd began the formal
ceremony with a brief report to his
commander in chief.
'Mr. President" Byrd said. 'I here
with report to you the return of the
Byrd Antarctic Expedition II. Thanks
to Providence, every man reached civil
lization safe and well. I regret to
say that one man, one of our best,
Ivor Tingloff, passed away in New
Zealand from physical ailment con-
tracted after our return there. Due
to the unselfish and good work of my
men, am glad 20 report that we
have accomplished our scientific mis-
sion with its 22-point program. hay-