2021-06-23 Guide to the Walter Giles Correspondence to Ruth Giles While Serving on the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition, 1939-1940 SPEC.PA.56.0210 Finding aid prepared by Karen Glenn; Sierra Sales Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2018 January; 2026 March

Catalog record needed.

 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-04-17T10:53-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Walter Giles Correspondence to Ruth Giles While Serving on the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition SPEC.PA.56.0210 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections Polar Small Accessions 2 0.02 Cubic feet 1939-1940 Walter R. Giles (1912-1996) worked as an assistant pilot and radio operator for the West Base unit of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition led by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd from 1939-1941. The Walter Giles Correspondence to Ruth Giles While Serving on the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition contains two letters sent by Giles from Antarctica to his sister, Ruth Giles, dated 1939 and 1940. (1) letter file folder English Giles, Walter R. Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2015.0006: Ron Little, 2014 October

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron research, but may be used only in the University Archives Reading Room. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Karen Glenn, 2018 January; Sierra Sales, 2026 March; Finding aid written by: Karen Glenn, 2018 January; Sierra Sales, 2026 March

 Biographical Note

The United States Antarctic Service Expedition was sponsored by United States military and government agencies and was lead by Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd from 1939-1941. The goal of the expedition was to establish two new bases in Antarctica. At the time of the expedition, Walter R. Giles (1912-1996) was a Staff Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps, and worked as an assistant pilot and radio operator for the West Base unit of the Service Expedition.

 Scope and Contents

The Walter Giles Correspondence to Ruth Giles While Serving on the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition contains two letters sent by Giles from Antarctica to his sister, Ruth Giles, dated 1939 and 1940. Giles writes about missing his hometown in Georgia, the weather, activities on base, and plans to visit Georgia once he returns to the United States. One of the envelopes sent to Ruth Giles has a Pitcairn Island cover, cancelled at Pitcairn Island 14 December 1939.

 Related Materials Walter Giles Correspondence to Betty Kerr While Serving on the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition Giles, Walter R. United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939-1941) Air pilots, Military--Antarctica--20th century Antarctica--Discovery and exploration--American--20th century Antarctica--Social life and customs--20th century Correspondence Covers (Philately)--Pitcairn Islands--20th century Envelopes Military bases, American--Antarctica--Social conditions--20th century