Spring Lecture Series: Above and Beyond: Almost Armageddon at Sea During the Cuban Missile Crisis

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Time & Place

    • The Mariners' Museum and Park

      April 29, 2019

      100 Museum Drive
      Newport News, VA 23606
    • Phone: 757-596-2222
      Highway Exit: 258A from I-64
      Website: Click here to visit us online

Description

Lecture Series favorite Michael Tougias returns to tell his newest tale of high-stakes survival – this time, with a political twist. His new book, Above and Beyond, chronicles the thirteen harrowing days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the pivotal role that the US Navy played during that distressing moment of the Cold War. He recounts the near-disaster at sea during the US’ blockade of Cuba, the U-2 pilots who flew over the island, and President Kennedy’s decision-making. Would a Soviet ship or submarine test the 500-mile quarantine zone? And if so, would our naval ships risk world war by sinking a Russian ship or depth charging a sub? Tougias analyzes Kennedy’s choices, and examines how close our Navy came to attacking the Soviets.