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Friends of the National World War II Memorial presents a Monthly Conference Series to learn more about the spirit of unity and shared purpose that defined the character of our country during World War II. This series of monthly half-day virtual conferences features discussions with WWII veterans, war orphans, published authors, and other experts. New York Times best-selling author and Friends' Resident Historian Alex Kershaw moderates the discussions after each presentation.
Register today, for free, to join this unique digital experience.
September - April
Third Saturday Monthly
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Mike Croissant, a retired CIA officer and author, holds advanced degrees in history and has written extensively on security issues in the former Soviet Union. Mike practices what he calls “full-contact history” - visiting and exploring overlooked historical sites. His journeys have led him to sites like his uncle’s WWII air base in Italy, a German mortar pit at Omaha Beach, and a fortress linked to Alexander the Great in Uzbekistan.
Join Mike for a compelling presentation on his new book, Bombing Hitler’s Hometown: The Untold Story of the Last Mass Bomber Raid of World War II in Europe. Discover the gripping, untold story of the April 1945 mission in which 5,000 American airmen braved brutal conditions and fierce German defenses to bomb Linz, Austria—one of Nazi Germany’s most heavily fortified targets and Hitler’s hometown. Drawing from firsthand interviews with WWII veterans and previously unpublished sources, Mike explores the courage, sacrifice, and human cost of this harrowing raid, revealing a pivotal moment in the final days of the war and the dawn of the Cold War.
Nathan Canestaro is a professional intelligence officer whose research on his grandfather's service in World War 2 led to a decade-long effort to uncover the story of the USS Cowpens and its crew. Currently on assignment to the National Intelligence Council, Nathan has twenty-five years of experience writing about military operations for policymakers in the US Government.
The Mighty Moo is the incredible story of the USS Cowpens, a scrappy World War II aircraft carrier that defied all odds to earn a distinguished combat record in the Pacific, despite initial doubts about her place in the fleet. Through vivid accounts and insights from the ship’s untested crew, Nathan shares how this resilient group of reservists and citizen sailors faced intense battles, braved typhoons, and ultimately stood witness to the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.
David Sears is a New Jersey-based military historian and author known for his in-depth military histories, published by notable presses like Penguin Books and Naval Institute Press. Sears writes for respected periodicals, including Aviation History and Smithsonian Air & Space, and has appeared as a commentator on the History Channel and other media. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and former U.S. Navy officer, Sears also held executive roles at The New York Times Company and Dow Jones & Company.
David presents his gripping book, At War with the Wind, a powerful account of WWII’s kamikaze attacks and the harrowing experiences of American sailors facing this unprecedented form of suicide warfare. Drawing from hundreds of interviews with veterans and extensive research, Sears brings to life the intense, often terrifying battles between Japanese kamikaze pilots and U.S. Navy crews in the Pacific.
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial’s education programs are generously supported by the Jack C. Taylor / Enterprise Rent-A-Car WWII Memorial Education Endowment.
