Dr. William Ramsey, a professor of history at Lander University, kicked off the community lecture series Tuesday night (September 3) at the Uptown Arts Center.
Speaking to a packed audience, Ramsey delved into the extraordinary feats of Marine fighter pilot Henry T. “Hammerin’ Hank” Elrod who played a crucial role during the defense of Wake Island in the early days of the Pacific War.
Ramsey’s lecture, “Fighting Infamy: A Marine Fighter Pilot’s Stand at the Battle of Wake Island,” draws on research from his new book, “Wake Island Wildcat.”
“When the Japanese attacked Wake Island in December 1941—the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor—Marine pilot Henry T. Elrod soared into the skies in his F4F Wildcat fighter to defend the American military base situated on the small Pacific atoll,” said Ramsey. “For the next two weeks, Elrod bravely confronted waves of enemy planes and ships, displaying exceptional courage and skill.”
Ramsey credited Elrod as being the first American pilot to sink a warship using small-caliber bombs delivered by a fighter plane in World War II.
Lander’s Community Lecture Series is free and open to the public. The next event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22 when Dr. Matt Malone will present a case study on disaster preparedness, federal assistance, and how individuals can prepare for catastrophic events like Hurricane Hugo, which struck the state 35 years ago. For more information about Lander University’s Community Lecture Series, visit www.lander.edu/events.