Speakers at the 2023 National Congress

“Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue - MCRD - 100 Years”

17 – 22 October 2023

Awards

The Naval Order Congress theme is the 100th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Our four day format includes:

  • Wednesday—Committee meetings, Commander General ‘s Reception, Distinguished Sea Service Award;

  • Thursday—General Session, Lee Douglas and Jan Armstrong Award luncheon;

  • Friday— Marine Corps Graduation Ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot followed by Distinguished Sea Service Award – Enlisted Luncheon at the Officers’ Club and an afternoon tour of USS Midway for presentation of RADM Brown Award;

  • Saturday—Historic speakers, Fleet Admiral George Dewey Award luncheon, Change of Command and Grand Banquet.


Speakers

"Story of the Naval Order Founders"
Saturday, 0830-9000 PDT

James McGinnis ~ A descendent of the Navy and Marine Corps veterans who, with a friend from Boston, started the Naval Order of the United States at Faneuil Hall, Boston in 1890. Formerly a Naval Medical Department specialist in Public Health, Occupational and Environmental Health Science.

“Nightmare in Hell--the Navy at Iwo Jima”
Saturday, 0900-0945 PDT

RADM Sam Cox ~ 14th Director of Naval History and Curator for the Navy and Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, he is responsible for the Navy’s official history programs, operational archives, Navy Department Library and the Navy’s collection of historic artifacts, photographs, art, weapons and 1,100 display aircraft, and for the underwater archaeology program, ten official U.S. Navy museums, including the historic submarine NAUTILUS and for maintenance of the USS CONSTITUTION.

“The U.S. Navy in the First World War”
Saturday, 0945-1030 PDT

CAPT Stanley Carpenter ~ Emeritus Professor of Strategy, U.S. Naval War College. He researches and publishes extensively on the British Civil Wars, the War of American Independence, American and British military and naval history, military leadership, and the two 20th-century world wars.

“Teaching Casualty Care in Ukraine”
Saturday, 1045-1145 PDT

RADM Michael Baker ~ Retired general and trauma surgeon, World Affairs Board of Trustees member, and Osher LifeLong faculty member at UC Berkeley, Dominican University and California State University East Bay. He is qualified in warfare specialties, combat deployment with the Marines, and strategic planning for both major conflicts and humanitarian emergencies.

Friday, 1315-1400 PDT
”2023 California History Day Winners' Presentations”

 - Zachary Brasher “Integration of the US Navy - 1861“

 - Alexander Miller “The Cod Wars ~ England vs. Iceland”

 - Rosie Gates “The Pirate Who Saved America”

“Sinking of USS OKLAHOMA”
Saturday, 1400-1445

Mr. Michael Carra ~ An Aviation and Military Historian, and a professional speaker. He has spent over 35 years of study and research. His main area of research has revolved around the “Moment in Time” that occurred on December 7th, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. Former Marine and former police officer, pilot and documentary producer.

"Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz"
Saturday, 1445-1530 PDT

RADM Douglas Moore ~ Retired Supply Corps Rear Admiral, former San Francisco superior Court judge, instrumental in the placing of the FADM Chester Nimitz statue on the pier with USS MISSOURI. RADM Moore was in ROTC program at UCAL Berkeley when Admiral Nimitz was present and has amazing anecdotal knowledge.

"Point Honda Disaster"
Saturday, 1530-1630 PDT

Mr. Karl Zingheim ~ A San Diego native, Karl graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1986. Following his naval service, he helped establish the Exhibits Department for the USS Midway Museum and now serves as the Ship Historian of the USS MIDWAY Museum.

Formal Banquet
Saturday, 1900-2045

BGen Janes A. Ryans, II, USMC
Commanding General, Marine Corps