UNITED STATES NAVY LEAGUE EASTERN SHORE COUNCIL
Dinner Meeting October 14, 2014
Talbot Country Club
Professor Charles Thomas Long Ph.D
The George Washington University
D-Day and Operation Neptune
USS Arkansas (BB-33) in action offNormandy, D-Day, June 7, 1944
The focus of most historical accounts of D-Day is on the landings and the heroic battle by the United States Army to secure the beaches and defeat the German forces on the Normandy peninsula. Often overlooked is the key role the Navy played in supporting the landings on Omaha and Utah beaches. Professor Tom Long is an authority on Operation Neptune, the naval component of D-Day. Over 5,000 Allied vessels including seven battleships, 5 heavy cruisers, 17 light cruisers and 135 destroyers and escorts were in action on D-Day.
Professor Long is an authority on the complex Naval operation that included minesweeping, transport, escort and anti-submarine patrol, pre-landing gunfire support, ship-to-shore landings, close gunfire support during and after the landings, and logistical support in the weeks and months after D-day. Tom leads annual trips to Normandy. In 2014 David Eisenhower accompanied Tom on the 70th Anniversary of the historic day his grandfather, General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, commanded the greatest armada and assault force ever assembled. Tom’s passion for naval history and expertise on the Normandy campaign will be evident as he tells the story of the vital part the Navy and Coast Guard played in winning the battle that lead to the liberation of Europe.
Professor Long holds degrees from Dartmouth College A.B., Harvard Law School J.D. and The George Washington University PH.D. Tom was a classmate and fellow NROTC member who served in USS Springfield (CLG-7) and taught tactics at OfficeCandidateSchool in Newport, RI. He teaches undergraduate naval history courses and graduate seminars including “Normandy, Sacrifice for Freedom”.
We will also welcome special guest Ernie Heinmuller who served in a submarine chaser off Normandy on D-Day. Ernie will give a rare eye-witness account of what happened that day!
WW II Submarine Chaser
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VENUE: Talbot Country Club with Social Hour at 1730, Dinner 1830.
MENU:Chicken Marsala---Chicken breast topped with rich mushroom Marsala sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and buttered brussel sprouts. Dessert—NY cheesecake with strawberries and whipped cream
COST: $32 per person.
NOTE: Vegetarian meal is available upon request. Just note on sign-up slip below.
Please send checks to arrive not later than October 6. Checks should be made payable to "Navy League ESC", attached to the form below and mailed to:
Stuart Keiller, 714 Penny Drive, Stevensville, MD21666
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