Military Historians to meet on Dec. 19

Retired Navy Submarine Lt. John Lindstedt will discuss the U.S. Nautilus North Pole Expedition “Under the Ice” during a Monday, Dec. 19, meeting of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Military Historians in Grafton.

Doors to the Rose-Harms American Legion Hall open at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30 p.m.

Lindstedt, who served multiple tours during the Cold War era, will discuss the North Pole expedition, which gave the U.S. a much-needed boost of morale a year after the U.S.S.R. launched Sputnik into orbit.

In 1954, the U.S. Navy launched the first nuclear-powered atomic submarine, the U.S. Nautilus, and on her first voyage the vessel broke all previous records for underwater speed and endurance. During the Cold War tensions in 1958, the Nautilus  was the first to travel under the North Pole, a daring venture that demanded the best of technological know-how and navigation skills of its officers and crew.

The $25 admission fee includes a buffet dinner from Ferrante’s and the presentation. A limited number of seats for the speaker’s program are available for $10.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling Ken Grigas at (262) 284-1090 or emailing rsvp@mkemh.org.