Military honors for the funeral of a dog are rare, but that’s what happened in 1948, when Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s most famous sled dog was buried at Aspin Hill Pet Cemetery.
Rickey, a Labrador husky, was born in 1934 at Little America, an exploration base on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. He left the frigid continent, at the age of nine months, in the company of his owner, Lt. Comdr. Frederick Dustin (USNR). The pair made two return trips to Antarctica in 1939 and 1947.
In addition to being a sled dog, Rickey herded penguins for noted ornithologist Malcolm Davis. It was said that he never bit a penguin, as other dogs on the expedition had done.
During World War II, Rickey achieved his greatest fame, not for service in combat, but for selling war bonds. He flew all over the country, appearing in movies, television, on stage, and on the radio.
After Rickey’s last trip to Antarctica, he came to Washington, D. C. to live with Cmdr. Dustin and his family. On May 13, 1948, while his master was away for a conference in Paris, Rickey died unexpectedly of kidney failure. His body was taken immediately to Aspin Hill Pet Cemetery for burial.
A funeral was held in Rickey’s honor on June 5, 1948. It was attended not only by his family, but by representatives of the U. S. Navy and members of Admiral Byrd’s expeditions. It was presided over by a Navy chaplain, with an 11-person honor guard. A Navy plane flew over the cemetery and dipped its wing in tribute to Rickey and his service to his country.
Rickey was buried in an unnumbered lot somewhere around the grave of World War I veteran dog, Rags. No monument was erected on his grave, making it impossible to pinpoint where he is buried. Without a grave marker, Rickey’s story is in danger of being forgotten. For this reason, I submit this report on Rickey, as well as on many of the remarkable pets and their people connected with Aspin Hill Memorial Park. It is truly a cultural resource worth preserving.
Sources Consulted
“Rickey, Byrds Mascot On Polar Trips, Dies at 14,” Evening Star, May 14, 1948, pg. B-11
“Rickey, Byrd’s Antarctic Dog, Is Buried With Military Honors,” Evening Star, June 6, 1948, pg. A-19.
“Friend of ‘Rickey’s’ Pays Her Respects,” Washington Post, June 6, 1948, pg. M13.
Another wonderful and true story about the historic Aspin Hill pet cemetery! Thanks for sharing the history of these amazing animals and their owners.
Julianne, I would be thrilled to help you look for Rickey’s marker – I love these stories about the cemetery! Thank you for doing that!
Jane
Thanks, Julie. I enjoyed the story of Rickey and the many others that you have written about. So interesting!
Julianne, it was such a pleasure and privilege to meet you at the cemetery when I was there looking for Rags. I’m thrilled to read this story about Rickey. I hope someday, miraculously, a marker, a piece of evidence, something, will be found to indicate Rickey’s place of rest. Thank you for your passion and dedication to the Aspin Hill Pet Cemetery.
Admiral Byrd was my cousin and my late father, Bolling Byrd Flood, told me many stories about Cousin Dick’s favorite dog.
I believe that my father’s dog, Frederica, along with my dog, Herman, are all buried at the Aspin Hill Pet Cemetery. Thanks for providing a resting place for our beloved and faithful friends.
I think there should be a monument for dogs on the mall in Washington for all dogs that give service to the country.
Commander Dustin started to have a monument made for Ricky at the Washington mall. Sadly commander Dustin passed away before it would come to be.