F2526 Hammer Strikes & Heartbeats: Personal Stories from a WWII Ship Repair Base
Class | Registration opens Monday, September 15, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Step back in time to the WWII ship repair unit AD-40 on Isle Nou, Nouméa, New Caledonia, where sailors worked around the clock to repair damaged ships. This class explores the base layout, key personnel, and activities from October 1942 to December 1945, a critical period in the Pacific theater. Discover how the base, visited by Admiral William Halsey , Commander, US Navel Forces South Pacific, played a vital role in the war effort. Through personal stories, photos, and firsthand accounts, we’ll uncover the daily life of the sailors who kept the fleet running during these challenging years.
In Person - Not Recorded
Bob Drongowski
Bob Drongowski, a Jackson native, earned B.S. and M.A. degrees in Biology from Western Michigan University. He led clinical research labs in Pediatric Surgery at Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan. A lifelong history and travel enthusiast, Bob and his wife—a nurse—have explored historic sites including Pearl Harbor, Normandy, Auschwitz, and numerous naval landmarks, along with most U.S. and Canadian national parks. Passionate about sharing stories from the past, Drongowski is just as likely to be found exploring history as he is fishing on Lake Erie.