Beck's final blog - I bid farewell to Antarctica, the wonders of that frozen world

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Beck
  • 349th Civil Engineer Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For every twelve hours that pass our sunlight increases by half an hour. The days of total darkness are behind us now as we anticipate our first glimpse of the full sun on Aug. 19.

The coming of daylight signifies that the "Winter-over 2011" tour is almost complete. Wind-fly will begin soon as we start receiving the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The first flight will bring us mail, fresh fruit and vegetables and of course, new arrivals and replacements. Our population will almost double in our current community. The experience of deploying to Antarctica was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have met some incredible people and seen some of God's true wonders first hand. The Antarctic clear night skies are endless, with amazing luminescent auroras and a moon so big, you can identify landmarks with the naked eye.

As I scrub through my mental checklist of things that still need to be done before my departure, there was one place I needed to visit again and pay my respects one last time. The "Our Lady of the Snows Shrine" is more commonly known around here as "Roll Cage Mary," a name coined from the iron roll cage structure that protects the Virgin Mary. The Shrine is dedicated to Richard T. Williams, U. S. Navy Seabees, who lost his life at McMurdo Sound on January 6, 1956, during the initial construction of the station. During my visit to the shrine, I had goose bumps when I presented a 349th Civil Engineer Squadron coin to CD3 Williams, a brother civil engineer, for his incredible service. The inscription on the brass plaque to his memory tells the story best.

CD3 Richard T. William, U.S. Navy - Seabees
Our Lady of the Snows Shrine - This shrine is dedicated to construction driver third class Richard Thomas Williams, United States Navy - Seabees

From a ship 30 miles out from Hut Point, Petty Officer Williams was bringing in supplies for Seabees to commence the initial construction at McMurdo Sound during "Operation Deep Freeze I." On 6 January 1956 he lost his life when the D-8 tractor he was operating broke through the bay ice 4 miles NNW of Cape Royds and plunged 350 fathoms to the bottom of McMurdo Sound. His body was never recovered.

Petty Officer Williams was a member of U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (Special), Task Force 43, Byrd Antarctic Expedition V, under command of Rear Admirals Richard E. Byrd and George J. Dufek, U.S. Navy. Petty Officer Williams gave his life in the logistical support of scientific exploration of Antarctica. In 1956, Williams Air Operating Facility was named in his memory.

This shrine was originally dedicated on 6 January 1957, to the memory of Petty Officer Williams by the designer/builder, Seabee Chaplain-Father John C. Condit, LT. CHC, U.S. Navy.

On 6 January 1996 the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, with this bronze tablet, re-dedicated this shrine to Petty Officer Williams and all other heroic colleagues of all nations who have given their lives in order to help us better understand Antarctica and the world in which we live. Born Oppenheim, NY, USA August 30, 1933 - Died McMurdo Sound, Antarctica January 6, 1956.