Victor H. Czegka

Victor Hugo Czegka (May 21, 1880 – February 18, 1973) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps warrant officer. He was awarded two Navy Crosses, the United States military's second-highest award, for his participation in the Byrd Antarctic expeditions.

Early life and service Victor H. Czegka was born on May 21, 1880, in Austria-Hungary. Czegka immigrated to the United States in 1904 and eventually joined the Marine Corps from Clifton, New Jersey.

In 1909, then First Sergeant Czegka became the first Marine to win the Wimbledon Cup, a marksmanship trophy. He won the trophy using a telescopic sight he had built himself. Czegka became a naturalized American citizen in the state of Pennsylvania in 1916.

Byrd personally requested Czegka to design and develop an insulated house to use during the expedition. Czegka was the chief machinist and also constructed stoves and snowmobiles. He prepared and modified the scientific instruments that were used, contributing greatly to the success of the expedition. Czegka was awarded his first Navy Cross for his role in the expedition. Czegka appeared in a documentary about the expedition which was released in 1930, titled With Byrd at the South Pole.

Second expedition Master Technical Sergeant Czegka would be awarded a second Navy Cross for contributing to the success of the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. He was the general manager and supply officer from 1933 to 1935 during the expedition.

Later life Czegka retired from the Marine Corps as a chief marine gunner on February 1, 1942, after a total of 30 years of service. Czegka was awarded over 20 military decorations in addition to the Navy Cross. Victor H. Czegka died on February 18, 1973, at his home in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Navy Cross citation (first award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Master Technical Sergeant Victor Hugo Czegka (MCSN: 37980), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as machinist of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition I (1928 - 1930). Through the exceptional skill, zeal and energy of Master Technical Sergeant Czegka in preparatory work, in preparing and modifying scientific instruments, in constructing stoves, snowmobile and in other tasks, he contributed to the success of the expedition.

Navy Cross citation (second award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Master Technical Sergeant Victor Hugo Czegka (MCSN: 37980), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as General Manager and Supply Officer for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II (1933 - 1935). Sergeant Czegka's conscientious, loyal and indefatigable performance of duty contributed greatly to the success of the Expedition.