NNY native writes of experiences in Antarctic with Admiral Byrd

DUTY & DEVOTION

WHO: Richard J. Miller, 84, West Potsdam. From 1946 to 1948, the Watertown native served in the Navy and was part of Admiral Richard E. Byrd's 1946 to 1947 expedition to Antarctica, Operation Highjump. The operation had 13 ships, 23 aircraft and more than 4,000 men. Mr. Miller served aboard the USS Pine Island and has written a book that details the journal he kept.

After his service, Mr. Miller earned a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College in Clinton. He received a master's degree in math education at Syracuse University and a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Washington, Seattle. In 1956, he began teaching at Clarkson College, Potsdam, where he also earned his Ph.D in engineering science. He retired from Clarkson in 1993, where he received outstanding adviser and university distinguished teaching awards.

What were you doing when you joined the Navy?

“After graduating from Watertown High School in 1945, the war was still on and I knew I'd have to enter the military. By then, I had been working for the Watertown Daily Times for many years, working my way up to copy boy in the advertising department. I was scheduled to go into the Army by way of the draft, but during the waiting period after my initial physical, I fell down the stairs and injured my leg while running copy to the composing room at the Times office. I ended up with a month's deferment from the Army because of that injury. During that time, I decided I'd rather enlist in the Navy.”

Why did you sign up for the Antarctic operation?

“When in boot camp, sailors take exploratory or comprehensive tests. As a result of the tests, they are assigned someplace within their abilities. There is then an announcement as to where they are going. I went to lighter-than-air school and weather school at Lakehurst, N.J.

During the 16-week course, I learned the rudiments of weather. At the end of the coursework, a list of possible places where sailors were eligible to go was posted. A sailor would then sign up on the list. When I signed up for my assignment, I thought I ought to do something that I would never get to do again. Thus, I signed up for adventure in the Antarctic with Admiral Byrd.”

What was your first task as part of the operation?

“My ship, the USS Pine Island, was in dry dock and my first assignment was a typical navy experience: chipping paint!

Following that was loading the ship with supplies for the trip to the Antarctic. Once there, my job was to monitor the weather and record the various weather conditions. We had limited knowledge of the Antarctic and what weather conditions to expect.

Seaplanes were used to photograph the continent for mapping. They take off from the water, so monitoring the weather was crucial for successful flight operations and for minimizing danger.

My tasks included collecting and reporting the hour-to-hour weather data.”

Overall, what was the purpose of Operation Highjump?

“Mapping the continent. It was the unknown continent at that time so explorers were interested in finding out more about it.

Secondarily, the mission was interested in testing men and equipment in severe cold weather conditions.

Man likes knowledge. We want to know more about unknown things! And when you learn more about these unknown things, you can tap that knowledge for useful projects. That was the hope of Operation Highjump.”

Describe your ship, the Pine Island.

“It was about 540-feet long with a crew of about 400.

There was a helicopter deck on the bow. The helicopters were used to observe the ice-pack conditions. The stern carried the seaplanes (The ship is officially a seaplane tender), which are put in and taken out of the water by crane. There were three seaplanes, with two operational at all times.

We all slept in compartments two and three bunks high, with 50 or more men sleeping in the same room. We all had a small locker for our personal items. There was a common shower room, where we took very fast showers. The mess hall had long tables and we ate in shifts, in cafeteria style, to accommodate the whole crew. The food was simple but plentiful. The hangar for the extra seaplane doubled as an activity room. Movies, volleyball, church services and any groups activities took place there.”

From where did you set sail from and what route did you follow?

“We departed from Norfolk, Va., through the Caribbean and the Panama Canal, north to south, down the west coast of South America, around Cape Horn to the east side of Antarctica.”

Our files show that a plane from the Pine Island disappeared during the operation. Could you expand on that?

“Weather conditions had been delaying the flights. When conditions lifted, a plane was sent out. Not being able to thoroughly forecast the weather, however, or be certain what might lie ahead in the skies, the crew ran into what is known as an Antarctic white-out with zero visibility, followed by 13 days of thick fog. The plane was lost.

But I don't want to give too much away, and ruin it for the people who want to read the book!”

Did you ever get off the ship to walk around the ice?

“No, no one aboard our ship went ashore. First of all, we didn't know where the shore was! The only sure land we knew of was obvious mountain ranges and such. And those were only visible from planes.”

What kind of wildlife did you see?

“Whales, a few penguins, a few seals, birds. I'd never seen whales, seals or penguins up to that point, so it was an unusual sight to see these creatures regularly frolicking in the water and on the ice.”

What was the coldest temperature on the journey?

“This might shock you, but out at sea, in the open waters, the temperatures only got into the 20s, not even as cold as I had experienced in Watertown. To be fair, it certainly got colder on the actual continent. Keep in mind also that we were there in the Antarctic summer. In the winter, the temperature can get as cold as 80 to 90 (degrees Fahreneheit) below.”

There are Internet rumors that Operation Highjump was actually looking for Nazi UFOs. Was there ever any talk about that among the crew and what do you think of such claims?

“To my recollection, there was no talk whatsoever, so it's news to me. It would be surprising if that were true. Until I saw this question, I never even heard a rumor of it!

Remember, the war was over at this point, and I don't imagine the German military was in a strategic or financial position to carry out such a mission.”

When did you leave the service?

“I got out January 5th, 1948, after a six-month cruise in the Mediterranean aboard a carrier, USS Leyte.”

Do you still study the weather?

“No, not formally, but I still enjoy applying what I learned in the context of everyday weather forecasts.

Although I did initially look for employment in that area, my academic studies took me in the direction of mathematics and eventually teaching.”

Where can people buy the book?

“Visit the website http://ohj.booksforelders.com and click on the ordering link.

If you don't want to order on the internet, or if you'd like a signed copy, purchase directly from the publisher by mailing $20 to Ageless-Sages, P.O. Box 41, Hinesburg, Vt.. 05461 (For a signed copy, please indicate the name you'd like as the recipient).”

Mr. Miller has four children. His wife, Mary Ann, died in 2006. He served in the West Potsdam fire department for nearly 40 years and in 2000 was honored as fireman of the year by the St. Lawrence County Fire Chiefs Association. He enjoys reading and learning about the Civil War. He's also an avid Sudoku puzzle solver, a coin collector and he likes entertaining his family with stories and information about his varied life experiences.

If you know of a veteran who would agree to be a topic of a Duty & Devotion Q&A, contact Times staff writer Chris Brock at cbrock@wdt.net or write to him at the Watertown Daily Times, 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.