Education was very important to Richard E. Byrd

Richard Byrd was aware of his desire to achieve great things. He decided to join the Service and start his navy career after visiting the Philippines. Byrd attended the Shenandoah Valley Military Academy, the Virginia Military Institute, and the University of Virginia before finishing his education.

Before deciding to start afresh and accept admission to the United States Naval Academy, where he was appointed as a midshipman on May 28, 1908, financial constraints drove Byrd to attend the Virginia Military Institute for two years before transferring to the University of Virginia. He hurt his right ankle twice while he was a student at the Naval Academy (one was by playing football and the other was while dismounting gymnastic rings during a competition). Despite being permitted to stay at the academy, his wounds ultimately caused him to leave the Navy in 1916.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and although not having the finest academics, he excelled at the physical training he underwent.