Background
Dufek, George John was born on February 10, 1903 in Rockford, Illinois, United States. Son of Frank and Mary (Wachuta) Dufek.
Dufek, George John was born on February 10, 1903 in Rockford, Illinois, United States. Son of Frank and Mary (Wachuta) Dufek.
Bachelor of Science, United States Naval Academy, 1925. Graduate Flight Training School, 1933. Student Industrial College Armed Forces, 1947.
Doctor of Laws, Carleton College.
Doctor of Humane Letters, Le Moyne College College. Doctor of Science, Rockford (Illinois) College, m.
Muriel Thomson Bones, 1947.
Commissioned ensign United States Navy, 1925, advanced through grades to rear admiral, 1955. Assigned United States Ship Maryland, 1925-1927. Assistant navigator, assistant communications officer United States Ship Canopus, 1927-1928.
Aviator United States Ship Concord, 1933-1936.
Navigator United States Ship Saratoga, 1936-1938. Executive officer United States Ship Lexington, 1938-1939.
Navigator United States Ship Bear, flagship Antarctic Development Project, 1939. Assisted construction development new naval air station, Jacksonville, Florida, 1940.
Special United States Naval observer for aviation, London, 1942.
Senior naval aviator, invasion North Africa, 1942. Assisted development invasion plans for Southern France. Commander United States Ship Bogue, 1944.
Commanding officer naval air base, Ominato, Japan, also air transport service terminal near Tokyo, 1945.
Staff Naval Regulations Board, Washington, 1946. Chief staff officer on expedition to establish weather bases northern Polar Regions, 1946.
Commander eastern group Task Force 68, to develop unknown coast line between Palmer Peninsula and Little American commander Task Force 80 to supply existing weather stations and establish new stations near North Pole, 1947. Member logistics planning section Joint Chiefs Staff, Washington, 1949-1950.
Commander United States Ship Antietam, 1951.
Head special Antarctic Planning Group, Washington, 1954. Commander logistic and operational task force Naval Operation Deepfreeze, 1955-1959. 1st American at geographic South Pole, 1956.
Retired, 1959.
Director Mariners Museum, Newport News, Virginia, 1960-1973.
Member logistics planning section Joint Chiefs Staff, Washington, 1949-1950. Member American Society Naval Engineers, National Geography Society (Hubbard medal 1959), American Geophysical Union. Clubs: James River Country.
Children: Mary Ellen (Mistress Bellit), Barbara Bones (Mistress Phillips), George John, David Frank.