Preble Hall

Dr. Stephen Phillips discussed his new book A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 with Dr. John Sherwood. Dr. Phillips is a U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1992 graduate and a former U.S. Navy EOD officer.Links to episodes mentioned in the podcast:EP 90: The Great Mule Caper: Preble Hall | The Class of 1992's Great Mule Caper EP 258: Tom Duffy – Tanker War in the Gulf: Preble Hall | Tom Duffy - Tanker War in the GulfEP 117:The USS Samuel B. Roberts Mine Strike: Captain Paul Rinn, USN-Ret:  Preble Hall | The USS Samuel B. Roberts Mine Strike: Captain Paul Rinn, USN-RetFor more detailed information on the Iraqi Air Force attack on USS Stark listen to: Rendering Safe an unexploded Exocet missile aboard USS Stark (FFG-31)

In this episode of Preble Hall, Tom Duffy discusses his new book, Tanker War in the Gulf: Operation Earnest Will, Diplomacy and Seapower in Practice, with Dr. John Sherwood. During the Tanker War, Duffy was a naval officer aboard the U.S.S. Cochrane (DDG-21). He later served as a diplomat with the State Department for 32 years.

In this episode of Preble Hall, Dr. Shawn Callahan, Director of the Marine Corps History Division at Marine Corps University, discusses their recently published work, Semper Fidelis: 250 Years of U.S. Marine Corps Honor, Courage, and Commitment. 

In this episode Doug Most discusses his book Launching Liberty: The Epic Race to Build the Ships That Took America to War. 

Sondra Duplantis and Chas Henry discuss Henry's book, Fuji Fire: Sifting Ashes of a Forgotten U.S. Marine Corps Tragedy, published by Potomac Books. Chas Henry can be found here: https://chashenry.com/

Paul Stillwell, retired naval officer, historian, and former crewmember aboard USS New Jersey (BB-62) discusses his book, Battleship New Jersey: The Complete History, published by the Naval Institute Press.Preble Hall is available through the museum's website: https://www.usna.edu/Museum/PrebleHall/index.php , and through iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, and transistor. Please share, like, subscribe, and comment via your favorite podcast platform. If you wish to provide direct feedback send an email to [email protected].

Dr. Francis DuCoin joins Dr. Stephen Phillips to discuss the USS Monitor, the Battle of Hampton Roads, and Monitor’s shield…part of which is now in Preble Hall.

David Gendell discusses his book, Battles at Annapolis: Two Remarkable Football Games in the Army-Navy Rivalry, with Preble Hall host, Stephen Phillips. The book covered the only two Army-Navy games played on the Naval Academy grounds. The first in 1893 was held on Worden Field, the second in 1942 at Thompson Field (Now Lejuene Hall), during World War II.

Craig Symonds, Professor Emeritus of History at the U.S. Naval Academy, discusses his latest book, Annapolis Goes to War: The Naval Academy Class of 1940 and its Trial by Fire in World War II.

In this, our 250th episode of Preble Hall, the United States Naval Academy Museum's own Education Specialist Sondra Duplantis interviews Mike Fink, author of Intrepid's Fighting Squadron 18 Flying High With Harris' Hellcats.  Join us for an exciting journey as Fink takes us into the ready rooms, cockpits and battle spaces of the "Two-a-Day 18" and the USS Intrepid. This experience navigates the incredible human experiences and unsurmounted heroism of Harris' Hellcats.

In this episode of Preble Hall, Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews Will Wright, USNA Class of 1995, and a member of the offshore sailing team. They discuss the U. S. Postal Service stamp issued for the  U.S. Naval Academy's 150th Anniversary that depicted Swift, one of the Academy's offshore sailing boats with Will and other midshipmen in Swift's crew.

In this episode, Marc Leepson discusses his book The Unlikely War Hero, A Vietnam War POW's Story of Courage and Resilience in the Hanoi Hilton. This book is a biography of Doug Hegdahl, a Sailor that fell off of USS Canberra (CA 2) into the Gulf of Tonkin. Hegdahl was captured by the North Vietnamese and landed in the Hanoi Hilton with other American prisoners of war (POW). While in captivity, he memorized 254 names of his fellow prisoners. Hegdahl was ordered to accept early release. Once back in the United States, he provided the list of names to his debriefers. As a result, 65 American servicemen who were listed as missing in action (MIA), had their status changed to POW. 

Admiral James Stavridis discusses his latest book, The Admiral's Bookshelf. Published by the Naval Institute Press, it is third in a series following The Leader's Bookshelf and The Sailor's Bookshelf. He and host Stephen Phillips discuss works from Stavridis' collection that inspire, each connected to a theme. The books discussed include The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Nimitz at War by Craig Symonds, and Elements of Style, which suggests “Write with simplicity and precision” by William Strunk and E.B. White. 

John Quarstein and Robert Worden join Dr. Stephen Phillips to discuss their book, From Ironclads to Admiral: John Lorimer Worden and Naval Leadership. This important work is a detailed biography with emphasis on Worden's service on USS Monitor and other ironclads during the Civil War. Equally interesting is Worden's time as Superintendent at the U.S. Naval Academy and as a founding member, with membership number 1, of the U.S. Naval Institute.

Brian Dickinson joins Dr. Stephen Phillips on Preble Hall to discuss Brian's book, Calm in the Chaos, True Tales from Elite U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers and the Navy’s SAR Swimmer community to include the history of its development and some historical examples of this important mission. Listeners can follow Brian at:Https://briandickinson.netHttps://calminthechaospodcast.com@briancdickinson on all socials

On the 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day Tsunami, Dr. Stephen Phillips discusses the U.S. Navy's humanitarian response, Operation Unified Assistance, with Dr. John Sherwood. This and other humanitarian responses are discussed in great detail in Sherwood's book, A Global Force for Good: Sea Services Humanitarian Operations in the Twenty-First Century.

To start Army-Navy week of 2024, Dr. Stephen Phillips discusses the Army-Navy Game with Christopher Havern, a historian at the Naval History and Heritage Command, but also an Army veteran and fan. 

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews David Gendell to discuss his book, The Last Days of the Schooner America. Gendell's book tells the story of the racing yacht for which the America's Cup is named, its service as a Confederate blockade runner, Naval Academy training vessel, and the plans to restore it at the Annapolis Yacht Yard during World War II as the yard built motor torpedo boats and submarine chasers for the Lend-Lease program.

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews LtCol Tom Williams, USMC-Ret, to discuss his book Doorsteps of Hell, the first in his memoir series entitled Heart of a Marine. Doorsteps of Hell relays Tom's stories from childhood, life as a cadet a North Georgia College, becoming an Officer of Marines, and his service as an infantry officer in Vietnam. LtCol Williams' website is: https://www.heartofamarineseries.com/

John Sherwood interviews former Navy SEAL Sniper Brandon Webb about his naval career and his novel, Steel Fear.  Webb is the author of 12 books. He served in the Navy for 13 years as a rescue swimmer and SEAL. Steel Fear is a murder mystery that takes place on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

John Sherwood interviews General Kenneth F. “Frank” McKenzie Jr., USMC Ret. about his new book The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century.  General McKenzie served as the commander of CENTCOM from March 2019 to April 2022. In that role, he oversaw the 2020 strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the leader of the Iranian Quds Force; and America’s final withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.  

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews Dr. David Winkler to discuss his book, Witness to Neptune's Inferno: The Pacific War Diary of Lieutenant Commander Lloyd Mustin, USS Atlanta (CL 51).

Dr. John Sherwood interviews Dr. Edward J. Marolda about his new book Admirals Under Fire: The U.S. Navy and the Vietnam War.  Dr. Marolda is the author of nine books on the Navy in Vietnam and worked as a civilian historian for the U.S. Navy for 40 years. This is Part 2 of a two-part episode on this important contribution to the historiography of the Vietnam War.

Dr. John Sherwood interviews Dr. Edward J. Marolda about his new book Admirals Under Fire: The U.S. Navy and the Vietnam War.  Dr. Marolda is the author of nine books on the Navy in Vietnam and worked as a civilian historian for the U.S. Navy for 40 years. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode on this important contribution to the historiography of the Vietnam War.

Dr. Abby Mullen discusses her forthcoming book To Fix a National Character: The United States in the First Barbary War, 1800-1805 with Tyler Pitrof. A periodic host of Preble Hall herself, Dr. Mullen is currently serving as an assistant professor in the History Department at the United States Naval Academy. 

Dr. Sam Limneos discusses his recent Ph.D. dissertation, “More Nobility of Soul: Honor at the United States Naval Academy, 1845-1875,” with John Sherwood. Dr. Limneos served for four years as an archivist at the U.S. Naval Academy before joining the Naval History and Heritage Command in 2023 as the Deputy Branch Head of the Navy Archives.

Dr. John Sherwood interviews General David H. Petraeus about his new book, co-authored with Andrew Roberts, entitled Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine. Topics covered include the characteristics of strategic leadership in war; and how technology has changed war since World War II. He also offers some career advice to midshipmen and cadets drawn from his life experiences, which include command of the surge in Iraq, U.S. CENTCOM, and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews author Charles Lachman to discuss his book, Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and the Elusive Enigma Machine, which tells the story of the U.S. Navy's capture of the German U-boat, U-505 on June 4, 1944.

Ronald H. Spector sits down with John Sherwood and guest host Randy Papadopoulos to discuss his book, A Continent Erupts: Decolonization, Civil War, and Massacre in Postwar Asia, 1945-1955

Dr. Anselm van der Peet of the Netherlands Institute for Military History discusses the history of the Royal Netherlands Navy from the end of World War II to the present with John Sherwood. 

Dr. John Sherwood interviews Dr. Jeremy Stöhs about his new book, European Naval Power: From Cold War to Hybrid Wars. Stöhs is the co-head of the Austrian Center for Intelligence, Propaganda, and Security Studies at the University of Graz. 

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews CDR Randy Gogen, USN-Ret, PhD, to discuss her book "From Yeomanettes to Fighter Jets: A Century of Women in the U.S. Navy."

John Sherwood sits down with Johannes Peters and Sebastian Bruns of the Institute for Security Policy Kiel (ISPK) to discuss all things Kiel: the history of Kiel, Kiel Week, the Kiel International Seapower Seminar (KISS), and the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University.

Part II of John Sherwood’s interview with China expert Sarah Kirchberger offers a contemporary “tour of China’s waterfront,” looking at China’s perceived maritime threats as well as the capabilities and characteristics of its contemporary Navy. Dr. Kirchberger also examines the current state of China’s shipbuilding and naval technology industries. For an overview of the history of the PLA Navy, please listen to Part I of this interview. Dr. Sherwood conducted these interviews at the offices of the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University, where Dr. Kirchberger serves as academic director.

Dr. John Sherwood interviews Germany’s leading expert on the Chinese Navy, Dr. Sarah Kirchberger. In part one of a two-part interview, Dr. Kirchberger discusses the history of the PLA Navy and how it has evolved from a coastal and riverine force to one whose ambition is to dominate the Western Pacific. Part Two will focus on the PLA’s current capabilities. Dr. Sherwood conducted these interviews at the offices of the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University (ISPK), where Dr. Kirchberger serves as academic director.

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews Captain Brett Crozier, USN-Ret, to discuss his book, Surf While You Can, to include reviewing the COVID outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in March of 2020 while he was in command. Team Step: http://www.teamstepusa.org/

Dr. John Sherwood of the Naval History and Heritage Command continues his interview with Dr. Cameron McCoy, the author of the new book, Contested Valor: African American Marines in the Age of Power, Protest, and Tokenism. In Part I of this interview, Dr. McCoy discussed the history of African American Marines during World War II and Korea. Today in Part II, he will focus on the Post Korean War period and Vietnam.

Dr. John Sherwood of the Naval History and Heritage Command interviews Dr. Cameron McCoy. Dr. McCoy is the author of the new book, Contested Valor: African American Marines in the Age of Power, Protest, and Tokenism (2023). He holds a Ph.D. In history from the University of Texas at Austin. He’s also Marine Lieutenant Colonel and a student in the Advanced Strategist Program here at the Naval War College. Part I of this interview will explore the history of African American Marines during World War II and Korea, and Part II will focus on the Post Korean War period and Vietnam. Preble Hall will debut both episodes during Black History month 2024.

Dr. John Sherwood of Naval History and Heritage Command interviews former Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly. A 1983 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Modly is the author of the new book, Vectors: Heroes, Villains, and Heartbreak on the Bridge of the U.S. Navy (2023). In this episode, Sherwood and Modly discuss the COVID-19 outbreak on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in early 2020, Modly's decision to relieve the ship’s commanding officer, and his trip to Guam to visit the ship’s crew, and his resignation shortly after that trip. The episode concludes with a discussion about Modly’s legacy and his efforts to increase the size of the fleet.

Dr. John Sherwood of Naval History and Heritage Command interviews former Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly. A 1983 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Modly is the author of the new book, Vectors: Heroes, Villains, and Heartbreak on the Bridge of the U.S. Navy (2023). In Part I of the podcast, Modly discusses his attempt to reform naval higher education, his naming of a new Gerald Ford class aircraft carrier Doris Miller, and his thoughts on super carrier procurement. Part 2 will focus on Modly’s management of the COVID-19 outbreak on the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt in early 2020.

Dr. Claude Berube concludes his tenure as Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum with this episode

Dr. Claude Berube, Director of the US Naval Academy Museum, interviews Dr. Nicholas Lambert on his forthcoming book, "The Neptune Factor: Alfred Thayer Mahan and the Concept of Sea Power". Dr. Lambert completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Oxford University.  He was the Class of 1957 Chair at the U.S. Naval Academy from 2016 to 2018.  His previous books include Sir John Fisher’s Naval Revolution, Planning Armageddon, and The War Lords and the Gallipoli Disaster. 

Dr. John Sherwood interviews Admiral Sir Ian Forbes on his combat experiences on HMS Glamorgan during the Falklands War.

Dr. John Sherwood of NHHC interviews Vice Admiral Cutler Dawson on his book From the Sea to the C-Suite: Lessons from the Bridge to the Corner Office.

In this short episode, I asked some of the plebes from my naval history class to say a few words about their research papers. This semester I asked them to write about something from the history of the Naval Academy.

Dr. Claude Berube interviews Commander Jeff Vandenengel about his new book, "Questioning the Carrier." Jeff Vandenengel is a naval officer with tours on three fast-attack submarines. Winner of the 2019 Admiral Willis Lent Award as the most tactically proficient submarine department head in the Pacific Fleet, he deployed to the Western Pacific three times and to the Atlantic during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Dr. Claude Berube, Director of the US Naval Academy, interviews Dr. Cori Convertito, Curator and Historian of the Key West Art and Historical Society about her work on maritime medicine in the Royal Navy.

Dr. Claude Berube, Director of the US Naval Academy Museum, interviews Naval Academy graduate Dwight Hughes about his presentation during the 2023 McMullen Naval History Symposium.

Dr. Tyler Pitrof interviews Andrew Blackley on some of his recent naval history articles.

Samantha Sauer of the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine discusses experiential learning and the role of her museum. This interview was conducted during the 2023 McMullen History Symposium at the US Naval Academy