Materials are arranged in the order created during the interview process with the first file containing administrative materials created before, during and after the interview.
Accession No. PA.2000.0026: Edward Frankiewicz, 2000 February
[identification of item], Edward Frankiewicz Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0042, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University
Contains audiocassettes.
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Processed by: Devon Boerman, 2019 December; Finding aid written by: Devon Boerman, 2019 December
Commander Edward John Frankiewicz (1919-2003) started his aviation career in 1940 as part of the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) Program, funded by the United States government, where he had gained his private pilot's license, flight instructor's rating and commercial rating in 1941. After serving as a commercial pilot in Africa for a few months, Frankiewicz became a part of the Naval Air Transport Squadron VR-1 in late 1942. Following his service in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War, Frankiewicz became a pilot for Air Development Squadron Six (VX-6) from 1955-1958 for Operation Deep Freeze I, II, and III in Antarctica. Due to the lack of range in the aircraft that Frankiewicz flew during Operation Deep Freeze I, he was unable to reach Antarctica during that expedition. During Operation Deep Freeze II, Frankiewicz served as Aircraft Maintenance Officer and the backup pilot to Gus Shinn for the first airplane landing at the South Pole. He also routinely flew supplies in transport planes to Little America, Byrd Station, and McMurdo Station. Frankiewicz became the first pilot to land at Hallet Station, a joint American-New Zealand research station, during Operation Deep Freeze III.
The Edward Frankiewicz Oral History, dated 2000-2001, contains audiocassettes, administrative information and the transcript of the interview between Frankiewicz and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society that took place on February 23, 2000 regarding Frankiewicz's experiences as a Naval pilot and officer in Antarctica. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics found in the oral history include Frankiewicz's childhood in Vermont, the flight experiences that led to his role as a transport pilot for the United States Navy in 1942 as part of Naval Transport Squadron V-1, his experiences during Operation Deep Freeze I, and his account of the first polar landing by Gus Shinn. The oral history also includes Frankiewicz's discussions on the establishment of Beardmore Camp at Liv Glacier, the living conditions at Little America and McMurdo Stations, the establishment and maintenance of tractor supply trains from Little America to Byrd Station, and the rescue of Jack Torbert and Charlie Otti in Venezuela. Frankiewicz then provided his insight on Operation Deepfreeze III, and the difficulties of flying into and clearing Little America and Cape Hallet.
Also available online.