Presented by the Western Front Association East Coast Branch
The S ymposium will feature several presentations, as well as a special display o f WW1 aviation art by artist Mike O’Neal, book signings, door prizes, table displays of WW1 memorabilia, a Branch-sponsored WW1 book sale, and an opti onal catered lunch. Tickets are $35 per person and $15 per student.
P resentations will include:
The Life of General 'Blackjack' Pershing – Meet America’s most celebrated personality of WW1 as living history prese nter Dane Coffman portrays General John J. Pershing while recounting his li fe story. From his early days on the American frontier and later the Spanis h–American War, learn how Pershing faced trials in his Army career and trag edy in his personal life before taking on the monumental task of forging an d leading an American Army in the 'War to End All Wars.'
First Over T here – The Attack on Cantigny - Facing veteran German troops, the largely u ntried US 1st Infantry Division carried out the first American offensive ac tion of World War 1 capturing and holding the front-line village of Cantign y. Author Matthew J. Davenport tells the stories of the men of 'The Big Red 1' who fought and died in this May 1918 battle based on his new book from St. Martin’s Press. Copies will be available for sale.
The Germans of Hampton Roads – Beginning in April 1915, two German surface raiders, the P rinz Eitel Friedrich and the Kronprinz Wilhelm, were interned in Hampton Ro ads, Virginia. In a unique study of war and society, Gregory Hansard of the Virginia Historical Society explores the internment of more than 500 of th eir crew from April 1915 to September 1916 and the relationships they forme d with the Norfolk community and U.S. officials.
A Yank in the RAF – Too young to fly with the US Air Service, Baltimore native Francis Warringt on Gillett made his way into Britain’s Royal Air Force (formerly RFC) in 19 18 where he flew Sopwith Dolphin fighters with No. 79 Squadron. Credited wi th 20 victories by the time of the Armistice, Gillett is second on the list of American flying aces of World War I. WFA East Coast’s Paul Cora recount s his story and also outlines plans for the Branch to memorialize this litt le known aviator.
Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argo nne - Historian COL Douglas V. Mastriano of the US Army War College present s a fresh look at the unlikely hero who became an American icon of 'The War to End All Wars' based on his book from the University of Kentucky Press. Copies will be available.
DTSTAMP:20250521T014320 DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151024T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151024T093000 SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR