Any naval history buffs out there?

[PatM]

Hi everyone,
My name is PatM and I've been a longtime student of the Second World War with a particular interest in the role that seapower played in the events of 1939-45. I know I may ruffle a few feathers when I say seapower was the key to victory (at least for the Western Allies), but that is not my intention.
I am the last person in the world to belittle what the airmen and soldiers suffered and endured at Schweinfurt, St. Lo, El Alamein or the countless other places that have since entered the world's historical vocabulary. I guess I just find that particular aspect of WW2 a fascinating area of study.
Anyway, please feel free to drop me a line-it would be great to hear from you. Thanks.

[temujin77]

Hey there, I'm a fellow naval history buff also, we should definitely touch base and get some discussions going. By the way, I was just in New Brunswick last weekend visiting a friend who lives not far from UMDNJ

[Jim O]

Welcome to the site. We're glad to have you and your opinions, feather ruffling or not.

[PatM]

Sirs,
Am glad to make your acquaintance and am ready to discuss anything you want to bring to the table. Mr. T, I was pleasantly surprised to hear you were in the neighborhood-truly a small world we live in.
Cracked open Evans' "Sea of Thunder" last night-while he reveals nothing new, he is very readable. Any thoughts on the subject? Am a great admirer of Ray Spruance, but also have respect for Halsey despite his shortcomings-he was only human after all.

[temujin77]

Talking about the Pacific War, I always recommend my colleague's book, Shattered Sword, which had been getting rave reviews lately. The colleague, Jon Parshall, had also gained quite a bit of fame lately from his research and publishing of the book; just this month he was at Hawaii speaking at the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. I highly recommend that book.

Where in New Brunswick (general area would do; this is a public forum after all and is not suitable for private info ) do you live? I have several friends in New Brunswick, including several first responders. One of them is likely protecting your neighborhood as we speak

[Tom Houlihan]

Originally Posted by temujin77

Where in New Brunswick (general area would do; this is a public forum after all and is not suitable for private info ) do you live?

Might I suggest the Private Message function? It keeps the rest of us riff-raff from finding your addresses, and actual locations. Keeps us from inviting ourselves to your Bierfest, too!

[PatM]

Mr. T
You know Jon Parshall? If I'm not mistaken, he has a great site on the Imperial Navy and I will be picking up his book today along with Lundstrom's work on Frank Jack Fletcher and/or Kiernan's book on the VT squadrons at Midway. Another great site is uboat.net-very comprehensive. I will send you my address through the private route-very good to hear from you

[temujin77]

Yeah, Jon and I had been in touch for a few years now. I haven't had the chance to meet him in person yet, but we always try to see if we can meet up whenever he's on speaking engagements on the east coast. His knowledge of Midway is unbelievable; I haven't been able to stump him with any of my amateur questions yet

I've also emailed a few of his history buddies like Tony Tully and David Dickson also, though I don't know them as well.