The Naval War College is often called the “Home of Thought” for the U.S. Navy. This talk will explore the 139 year history of the college and its role in preparing senior U.S. military officers to exercise high command. Many of the Navy’s most well-known admirals, including Chester Nimitz, Ernest J. King, and Raymond Spruance, credited their studies at the Naval War College with helping them think through the complex problems they faced in the Pacific during World War II. Key to their training was constant participation in wargames, a teaching tool that is still used by the college today. We will wrap up with a look at how the college’s history is preserved at the Naval War College Museum.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Walpole Public Library.