See Also:
Beginning of a FAMOUS Hero: The Amelia Earhart Story.
Life Lesson #82 – Maintain Your Heading.
Richard was only 11-years-old when he, at last, convinced his mother to let him travel—by himself—to the Philippine Islands. He didn’t whine or beg his mother; instead he gave good reasons why she should let him go, and he was determined.
So with suitcase packed, he left his home in Virginia and headed west by train to California. There he boarded a ship and sailed all the way to the Philippines. After his visit there, he didn’t go back—he went forward!—all the way back home to Virginia. Richard was not even thirteen years old, and he had already traveled all the way around the world—by himself!
Richard Byrd was a determined accomplisher! He joined the United States Naval Academy when he was 20-years-old, and his determination paid off again when he convinced the Navy to let him become a pilot. He had a goal of being the first person to fly to the North Pole, and even though there were many problems to prevent him from doing that, he continued in his determination, and finally flew over the North Pole and into the history books on May 9th, 1926.
While he had many accomplishments in his lifetime, Richard Byrd is best known for his exploration, not of the North Pole, but of the South Pole and the continent of Antarctica. Through many trips there, and even living there for a long time, he gave the world much information about that frozen continent. Yes, that determined eleven year old, Richard Byrd who traveled around the world by himself, grew up to become Admiral Richard Byrd the HERO.
– Jim Lord