All Things Polar Medals: all things shiny and treasured

Medals have been awarded throughout history for any number of reasons, not the least of which has been bravery and valor in times of war.  Other medals have been initiated for other acts of bravery, service “above and beyond”; polar accomplishments are no exception.  In today’s world medals may seem like a somewhat whimsical holdover from yesteryear.  But stories remind us of the continued value placed in polar medals and the quest for them to be awarded, long after the passing of the target recipient (think William Speirs Bruce).  And some recent medal auctions attest to their present day value.   In 2015, Christie’s auctioned a number of Shackleton’s medals for 585,000 pounds.   Below is a partial listing of the most common, and coveted medals, awarded for Arctic and Antarctic exploration and service.   For each medal, its origins, awarding body, and polar recipients are listed (for those medals not solely polar related, i.e. for polar exploration or polar related study) .  Roughly, they are divided into three types: polar specific, general, and military.  Names bolded are those who were from the country from which the medal originated.   Another excellent site for learning about specific Antarctic medals is the Antarctic Circle Medal page.

  • Australia

    • Clarke Medal-BY the Royal Society of New South Wales, FOR distinguished work in the natural sciences rotated between Botany, Zoology, and Geology, SINCE 1878, NAMED after William Branwhite Clarke, a geologist. Originally awarded for work inside or outside Australia, now for within the continent or territories. Polar recipients: Edgeworth David, 1917 and Douglas Mawson, 1936.

    • Australian Antarctic Medal-BY the government, FOR outstanding service in scientific research or exploration, or in support of such work, in the course of, or in connection with, an Australian Antarctic expedition, SINCE 1978. Twelve months service below 60 degrees S is typically required.

  • Belgium

    • Order of Leopold-BY Belgian royal order, FOR meritorious service to the Belgian state or society, SINCE 1832. This complex medal has five different grades to it: Knight through Grand Cordon. This was awarded to de Gerlache and his crew in 1900 upon their return from the Belgium Antarctic Expedition aboard Belgica.

  • Canada

    • Polar Medal-BY the Governor General of Canada, FOR individuals who have provided outstanding service in support of scientific research and/or polar exploration relating to Canada or to Canadian interests, SINCE 2009. Of note, the medal is not restricted to Arctic service, bur rather EITHER for work north of 67 degrees N or south of 60 degrees S.

  • England

    • Royal Geographic Society Gold Medal-BY the Royal Geographic Society, FOR the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery, SINCE 1832. The Gold Medal is an award of the society’s Founder’s Medal, 1830, or its Patron’s Medal, 1838, and represents the the pinnacle of awards conferred by the RGS. Approval by the monarchy is required. Polar recipients: John Ross, 1834; George Back, 1836; Thomas Simpson, 1839; James Clark Ross, 1842; Charles Wilkes, 1848; John Rae, 1852; Robert McClure, 1854; Elisha Kent Kane, 1856; Richard Collinson, 1858; Jane Franklin, 1860; F. L. McClintock, 1860; Baron A. E. Nordenskiöld, 1869; Julius Payer, 1875; George Nares, 1877; A. Louis Palander, 1880; Otto Sverdrup, 1903; Robert Falcon Scott, 1904; Roald Amundsen, 1907; William Speirs Bruce, 1910; Jean Baptiste Charcot, 1911; Edward A. Wilson, 1913 (posthumously); Douglas Mawson, 1915; Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 1921; Knud Rasmussen, 1923; Frank Wild, 1924; Edgeworth David, 1936; Carsten E. Borchgrevink, 1930; Richard E. Byrd, 1931; J. M. Wordie, 1933; Erich von Drygalski, 1933; Ejnar Mikkelsen, 1934; Lincoln Ellsworth, 1937; Hans Ahlmann, 1939; Alexander Glen, 1940; Henry A. Larsen, 1946; Thomas Henry Manning, 1948; P. D. Baird, 1953; C. J. W. Simpson, 1955; John Giaever, 1956; George Binney, 1957; Paul A. Siple, 1958; Edmund Hillary, 1958; W. R. Anderson, 1959; Raymond Priestley, 1959; Phillip G. Law, 1960; Mikhail M. Somov; 1961; Erwin McDonald, 1962; Albert P. Crary, 1963; G. Hattersley-Smith, 1966; W. Brian Harland, 1968; Rodolfo N. M. Panzarini, 1969; R. Thorsteinsson, 1969; E. T. Tozer, 1969; Walter William Herbert, 1970; Gordon de Q. Robin, 1974; Brian B. Roberts, 1976; Kenneth Hare, 1977; Valter Schytt, 1981; Ranulph Fiennes, 1984; Monica Kristensen, 1989; Jean Malaurie, 2005.

    • Polar Medal-By the Crown, FOR extreme human endeavour against the appalling weather and conditions that exist in the Arctic and Antarctic, SINCE 1857. This medal began as the Arctic Medal, originated to recognize crews searching for Franklin’s lost expedition in the Arctic. The crews of the Erebus and Terror also were awarded the medal posthumously, as were all Arctic exploration crews from 1818-1855. It’s focus of award shifted to the Antarctic after it was awarded to Scott’s Discovery expedition crew (and rescue ship crews), and the name was changed to the Polar Medal in 1904. Crews from Shackleton’s Nimrod and Endurance expeditions were recipients. Two people hold the record for the number of repeat awards of the medal (a clasp): Frank Wild and Ernest Joyce each received four awards. Ranulph Fiennes stands alone as having received a clasp both for Arctic and Antarctic service. Other recent notables who have received the award: Vivian Fuchs and Edmund Hillary, and Fiennes wife Virginia who received the award for her own work and was the first female awardee. The only other award to a couple was to Hugh Simpson and eventually his wife Myrtle who was renowned as well; she was not honored until 2017. Of the over 1000 Polar Medal awards, the only other female awardees: Margaret Bradshaw, 1993; Jane Francis, 2002; Elizabeth Morris, 2003; Tavi Murray, 2007; Sally Poncet, 2015; Kim Crosbee, 2016; Agnieszka Fryckowska, 2016; Allison Massey, 2020. The worth of early Arctic Medals is evident by some recent auctions for tens of thousands of pounds each. In 2016 Tim McCarthy’s (of the Shackleton James Caird voyage) bronze Polar Medal sold for 65,000 pounds at auction.

    • Bigsby Medal-BY the Geological Society of London, FOR eminent services in any department of Geology, irrespective of the receiver’s country, SINCE 1877. Polar recipients: Edgeworth David, 1899; Douglas Mawson, 1919; Lawrence Rickard Wager, 1945.

    • Copley Medal-BY The Royal Society, FOR outstanding achievements in research in any branch of science, SINCE 1731. This award by the Royal Society is the oldest award for science in existence today. A list of those who have received this prestigious honor is truly a scientific “who’s who”. Polar recipients: James Cook, 1776; Edward Sabine, 1821; Henry Foster, 1827; Joseph Dalton Hooker, 1887.

    • Albert Medal for Lifesaving-BY the Crown, FOR recognition of the the saving of a life, SINCE 1866. The medal was named in honor of Prince Albert, awarded for saving a life at sea; eventually it was expanded to include life saving on land. For each location, land or sea, there were two classes: gold and bronze. At the time that the medal was retired in 1971, only 45 of the gold and 290 of the bronze (Albert Medal) had been awarded, most for heroic actions during conflict. Polar recipient: Tom Crean, 1913 (for saving the life of Edward Evans upon their return from the polar party during the failed Terra Nova Expedition).

    • Arctic Star Medal-BY the Crown, FOR award to British Commonwealth forces who served on the Arctic Convoys north of the Arctic Circle during the Second World War, SINCE 1912. This star was instituted 67 years after WWII, and joined other campaign “stars” originated during the war itself. It recognized belatedly the huge efforts and sacrifices of those who served in this theater of the war. It was distinct from the Atlantic Star which recognized Atlantic convoy service.

  • France

    • Grande Médaille d'Or des Explorations-BY the Geography Society of France, FOR journeys whose outcomes have enhanced geographical knowledge, SINCE 1829. Polar recipients: Sir John Franklin, 1829; John Ross, 1834; George Back, 1837; Dumont d’Urville, 1841; James Clark Ross, 1843; Robert McClure, 1855; Elisha Kane, 1858; Adolf Nordenskjold, 1880; Fridtjof Nansen, 1897; Ernest Shackleton, 1910; Jean-Baptiste Charcot, 1912; Roald Amundson, 1913; Robert E. Peary, 1914; Adrien de Gerlache de Gomery, 1925; Vivian Fuchs, 1958; Jean-Louis Etienne, 1991; Giles Elkaim, 2004. Notably missing: Robert Scott and Richard Byrd. It is interesting that this society, the oldest geographic society in the world (est. 1821), honored John Franklin an Englishman as the first recipient of this medal, of special note since the Napoleonic wars had ended just 14 years prior, in 1815.

  • Norway

    • South Pole Medal-BY the monarchy, King Haakon VII, FOR participation in the Amundsen south pole expedition, 1910-1911, SINCE, August 20, 1912. This medal was awarded to all 19 members of the Amundsen expedition, on the day of its release.

    • Antarctic Medal-By the monarchy,  King Olav V, FOR service to or participation in the sixth Norwegian-British-Swedish Antarctic expedition, SINCE 1960. Thirty-seven awards were made for this expedition to Queen Maud Land, 1956-1960, based at Norway Station on the Fimbul ice shelf.

    • Maudheim Medal-By the monarchy, King Haakon VII, FOR participation in the Norwegian-British-Swedish Antarctic expedition, SINCE 1951. Eighteen awards were made for this expedition to Queen Maud Land, 1949-1952, based at the new Maudheim base on the Quar ice shelf. Of note, this was the first multinational expedition to Antarctica.

  • Scotland

    • Scottish Geographical Medal-BY the Royal Scottish Geographic Society, FOR conspicuous merit and a performance of world-wide repute, SINCE 1890. Originally named the Gold Medal, the current name was applied in 1933. Polar recipients: Fridtjof Nansen, 1897; William Speirs Bruce, 1904; Roald Amundsen, 1912; Vivian Fuchs, 1958.

  • United States

    • Hubbard Medal-BY the National Geographic Society, FOR distinction in exploration, discovery, and research, SINCE 1906. Polar recipients: Robert Peary, 1906; Roald Amundsen, 1907; Robert Bartlett, 1909; Ernest Shackleton, 1910; Richard E. Byrd, 1926; Paul Allman Siple, 1958; Arleigh Burke, 1959; George J. Dufek, 1959; Matthew Henson, 2000 (for service on Peary’s expeditions)

    • John Oliver La Gorce Medal-BY the National Geographic Society, FOR accomplishments in geographic exploration, in the sciences, and for public service to advance international understanding. This prestigious medal has been awarded to only a very few famous individuals. Polar recipients: Roald Amundsen, Will Steger, and Robert Peary.

    • Charles P. Daly Medal-BY the American Geographic Society, FOR valuable or distinguished geographical services or labors, SINCE 1902. Polar recipients: Robert Peary, 1902; Roald Amundsen, 1912; Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 1918; Robert Bartlett, 1925; Gunnar Isachsen, 1931.

    • David Livingstone Centenary Medal-BY the HIspanic Society of America (awarded by the American Geographic Society), FOR scientific achievements in the field of geography of the Southern Hemisphere, SINCE 1913. Polar recipients: Douglas Mawson, 1916; William Speirs Bruce, 1920; Griffith Taylor, 1923; Frank Wild, 1924; Erich von Drygalski, 1926; Richard E. Byrd, 1929; Frank Debenham, 1948; Paul Allman Siple, 1958.

    • Jeannette Medal-BY the Congress of the United States, FOR participation in the Jeannette Expedition, SINCE 1890. Thirty three medals were made for this expedition to the north pole via the Bering strait, 1879-1881, ending in tragedy in Siberia. Of note, there were two medals: awarded in gold to eight members, and in silver to 25. Unfortunately, only two of the eight gold medals were collected in person. The others were awarded posthumously, including the medal to expedition leader Charles W. De Long, accepted by his widow Emma.

    • Antarctic Service Medal-BY the United States Armed Forces, FOR training or serving ten days , stationed on the Antarctic continent, or aboard vessels in Antarctic waters, defined as south of 60 degrees latitude, SINCE 1960 (retroactive to 1946). The award is available to civilians. Of note, a “Wintered Over” bar is awarded for extended winter service.

    • Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal-BY the United States Coast Guard, FOR performing twenty one days of consecutive duty afloat or ashore north of the Arctic Circle, SINCE 1976 (retroactive to 1946). The award is available to civilians serving with the Coast Guard.

    • Navy Arctic Service Ribbon-BY the United States Navy or Marines, FOR service above the Arctic Circle, SINCE 1986. The award is available to civilians serving with the Navy or Marines or to members of other services.

  • New Zealand

    • New Zealand Antarctic Medal-BY the government of New Zealand, FOR having made an outstanding contribution to exploration, scientific research, conservation, environmental protection, or knowledge of the Antarctic region; or in support of New Zealand’s objectives or operations, or both, in the Antarctic region, SINCE 2006.