Vintage Operation Deep Freeze (TASK FORCE 43) Plaque & Restored Zippo

Rare Vintage Plaque & Restored Zippo Combo Set, featuring the emblem of Operation Deep Freeze (TASK FORCE 43), designed by Mr. Walt Disney. 

Operation Deep Freeze (OpDFrz or ODF) is codename for a series of United States missions to Antarctica, beginning with “Operation Deep Freeze I” in 1955–56. Given the continuing and constant US presence in Antarctica since that date, “Operation Deep Freeze” has come to be used as a general term for US operations in that continent, and in particular for the regular missions to resupply US Antarctic bases, coordinated by the United States military.The impetus behind Operation Deep Freeze I was the International Geophysical Year 1957–58. IGY as it was known was a collaborative effort among forty nations to carry out earth science studies from the North Pole to the South Pole and at points in between. The United States along with New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Norway, Chile, Argentina, and the U.S.S.R. agreed to go to the South Pole, the least explored area on Earth. Their goal was to advance world knowledge of Antarctic hydrography and weather systems, glacial movements, and marine life. The U.S. Navy was charged with supporting the U.S. scientists for their portion of the IGY studies. Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, a veteran of four previous Antarctic Expeditions, was appointed as officer in charge of the expedition. In 1955, TASK FORCE 43, commanded by Rear Admiral George J. Dufek, was formed to provide logistical support for the expedition. Operation Deep Freeze I prepared a permanent research station and paved the way for more exhaustive research in later Deep Freeze operations. The expedition transpired over the Antarctic summer of November 1955 to April 1956, and was filmed by the U.S. Navy and Walt Disney Studios. For having designed the emblem of TASK FORCE 43, Walt Disney became an honorary member of the expedition.