Craig L. Symonds, Ph.D.
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- How the United States, Cape May County, and American Admiral Ernest J. King dealt with the German U-boat menace, and the story of Germany's warfare off the coast of Cape May during World War II, is the subject of this year's lecture in the Cape May MAC (Museum+Arts+Culture) annual Lessons of History Distinguished Lecture Series.
Award-winning author and professor, distinguished historian and acclaimed speaker Dr. Craig L. Symonds presents “The War Comes Home to America: U-boats off the Mid-Atlantic” on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave. This is the 12th lecture in Cape May MAC’s annual Lessons of History Distinguished Lecture Series. The series brings top historians to Cape May Convention Hall in October to speak on engaging topics of history and to share insights in a Q&A session with the audience.
The waters off the mid-Atlantic were one of the most dangerous places on earth in the first few months of 1942. After Germany’s declaration of war against the United States on Dec. 11, 1941, the head of the German U-boat arm, Admiral Karl Donitz, sent a handful of long-range submarines to attack shipping along the East Coast of the United States. The carnage they inflicted was out of proportion to their numbers, and ships went down all along the East Coast from New York to Florida, including off the coast of Cape May.
Dr. Symonds is Professor of History Emeritus at the United States Naval Academy where he taught for 30 years and served as Department Chair. From 2017 to 2020 he was the Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History at the U.S. Naval War College. He is the author of 17 books, the most recent of which is Nimitz at War (2022). He has been awarded the Lincoln Prize, the Roosevelt Prize, the Morison Prize, and the Barondess Prize, as well as the Dudley Knox Medal for Lifetime Achievement and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.
The lecture begins at 5:00pm, and tickets are $40 in advance or at the door. Teachers and students will be admitted free with a valid school I.D. Tickets are available for purchase online at capemaymac.org or by calling 609-884-5404.
Cape May MAC is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. Cape May MAC membership is open to all. For information about our year-round schedule of tours, festivals and events, visit capemaymac.org.
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