The George 1 Recovery Project

Our Mission

The George 1 Recovery Project is committed to the recovery of the remains of three U.S. Navy aviators who died when their flying boat — a Martin PBM-5 Mariner codenamed "George 1" — crashed in Antarctica on December 30, 1946. The George 1 was participating in Admiral Richard Byrd's "Operation Highjump" expedition.

The three Navy aviators — the first American servicemen to die in Antarctica — were buried under one of George 1's engines:

Ensign Max Lopez, 20, of Newport, Rhode Island

Petty Officer Bud Hendersin, 25, of Sparta, Wisconsin

Petty Officer Fred Williams, 26, of Huntingdon, Tennessee

The plane and the men's remains are now about 150 feet below the surface of the ice on Antarctica's infamous Phantom Coast.

An experienced polar recovery team is preparing to retrieve the George 1 — and to carefully and respectfully return the remains of Max Lopez, Bud Hendersin, and Fred Williams to their families.

"Closure sought for 1946 deaths"

She was 5 when her uncle fought in World War II. At age 10, Kate Williams Beebe got a shell necklace from her well-traveled Uncle Fred ...

San Antonio Express-News
January 7, 2008

"Casualties of cold war in a cold place"

U.S. Navy searches for 3 bodies entombed in Antarctica's ice

International Herald Tribune
December 31, 2007

"Navy won't launch recovery mission"

Citing safety concerns, the U.S. Navy has rejected the latest request to recover the bodies of three airmen -- including one with Lake County ties -- who died in Antarctica in 1946.

Daily Herald (Chicago)
December 22, 2007

"Lost in Antartica" (.wmv file)

After more than sixty years a family might be closer to bringing home their lost love one. . .

ABC TV Video
October 24, 2007

"Navy now considering recovery of sailors from icy grave"

Not a week passes that George Williams doesn't think about his uncle Fred. . .

KHOU 11 News (Houston)
October 16, 2007

To accomplish our goal will take a tremendous effort involving the use of the latest scientific technology, the manpower and expertise of the military and funding by Congress. But we need your help to make it all happen.

Please visit our How You Can Help page and see what you can do to make a difference.

A letter from
The Secretary of the Navy

A Bill encouraging the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense to support a recovery mission for the human remains of the crew killed in the George 1 crash in Antarctica, and for other purposes.



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	Our Mission The George 1 Recovery Project is committed to the recovery of the remains of three U.S. Navy aviators who died when their flying boat — a Martin PBM-5 Mariner codenamed "George 1" — crashed in Antarctica on December 30, 1946. The George 1 was participating in Admiral Richard Byrd's "Operation Highjump" expedition. The three Navy aviators — the first American servicemen to die in Antarctica — were buried under one of George 1's engines: Ensign Max Lopez, 20, of Newport, Rhode Island Petty Officer Bud Hendersin, 25, of Sparta, Wisconsin Petty Officer Fred Williams, 26, of Huntingdon, Tennessee The plane and the men's remains are now about 150 feet below the surface of the ice on Antarctica's infamous Phantom Coast. An experienced polar recovery team is preparing to retrieve the George 1 — and to carefully and respectfully return the remains of Max Lopez, Bud Hendersin, and Fred Williams to their families. "Closure sought for 1946 deaths" She was 5 when her uncle fought in World War II. At age 10, Kate Williams Beebe got a shell necklace from her well-traveled Uncle Fred ... San Antonio Express-News January 7, 2008 "Casualties of cold war in a cold place" U.S. Navy searches for 3 bodies entombed in Antarctica's ice International Herald Tribune December 31, 2007 "Navy won't launch recovery mission" Citing safety concerns, the U.S. Navy has rejected the latest request to recover the bodies of three airmen -- including one with Lake County ties -- who died in Antarctica in 1946. Daily Herald (Chicago) December 22, 2007 "Lost in Antartica" (.wmv file) After more than sixty years a family might be closer to bringing home their lost love one. . . ABC TV Video October 24, 2007 "Navy now considering recovery of sailors from icy grave" Not a week passes that George Williams doesn't think about his uncle Fred. . . KHOU 11 News (Houston) October 16, 2007 To accomplish our goal will take a tremendous effort involving the use of the latest scientific technology, the manpower and expertise of the military and funding by Congress. But we need your help to make it all happen. Please visit our How You Can Help page and see what you can do to make a difference. A letter from The Secretary of the Navy A Bill encouraging the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense to support a recovery mission for the human remains of the crew killed in the George 1 crash in Antarctica, and for other purposes.