Foundation Partners on Naval History Conferences
14 April 2005
Dr. Dave Winkler

Within a span of a week in early April, the Naval Historical Foundation helped facilitate two successful gatherings to explore aspects of naval history. In the case of the U.S. Naval Institute's Second Annual Annapolis Naval History Syposium, the NHF worked with a coalition of five other organizations to explore Expeditionary Warfare. In conjuction with the 131st Annual Meeting of the Naval Institute, the two day conference held on 7-8 April brought together some of the world's eminent naval historians and senior naval officers to discuss a topic most germane to contemporary policy makers. In addition to getting American perspectives on the topic, participants heard presentations from numerous British scholars from a nation that has had a much longer history with this form of warfare. Held in the Naval Academy's Alumni Hall, the conference also presented an opportunity for midshipmen to attend and participate. Initial feedback from participants bodes well for a third annual symposium to be held in April 2006. Five days later, on 13 April, the Naval Historical Foundation partnered with the Naval Submarine League to present an evening program at the U.S. Naval Memorial titled "Raiders From the Deep." As the fourth annual Submarine Force History Seminar coinciding with the Submarine Force Birthday, the subject this year focused on the use of submarines as a delivery vehicle for special forces. Commander Phil Eckert, a veteran of the subs ARGONAUT and NAUTILUS, discussed World War II operations that he was involved in on those two subs including the famed Makin Island Raid with Carlson's Raiders. Col. John Ripley, Director of the Marine Corps Historical Center, gave an account of his submarine-related experiences with Marine Force Recon in the 1950s and 1960s. Captain Rick Ruehlin, an active duty Navy SEAL, closed the evening with a talk on contemporary and future Navy capabilities. NHF Vice President, Rear Admiral Jerry Holland, moderated a program that Admiral Bruce DeMars claimed was the best of the series. Look for a fifth annual Naval Submarine Force History Symposium in April 2006!