PRESS RELEASE
Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum announces the return of its Spring Free Lecture Series, that kicked off on Thursday, April 3, 2025 with a lecture by Nathan Canestaro, author of The Mighty Moo: The USS Cowpens and Her Epic World War II Journey from Jinx Ship to the Navy’s First Carrier into Tokyo Bay. This year, the museum is excited to welcome attendees back in person for a captivating season of lectures that spotlight lesser-known stories from America’s military and aviation history.
The 2025 lecture series features expert speakers, authors, and researchers who will bring to life fascinating accounts of wartime ingenuity, international collaboration, and personal discovery. The series is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated to support the museum’s mission. The remain series presentations are listed below.
Spring 2025 Lecture Schedule:
Project Zebra: Roosevelt and Stalin’s Top Secret Mission: Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 PM Presented by Gregory Gagarin
Join co-author Gregory Gagarin for a fascinating in-person lecture on Project Zebra—a hidden chapter of WWII history that reveals an unlikely alliance between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Under orders from Roosevelt and Stalin, over 300 Soviet airmen trained in North Carolina to fly U.S.-built aircraft in a daring covert operation. This lecture explores a remarkable wartime collaboration forged across cultural and political divides. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The Bigley Tank: An Unexpected Heirloom: Thursday, April 17 at 2:00 PM Presented by Joe Bigley
Microbiologist Joe Bigley shares the extraordinary story of a forgotten WWII innovation uncovered in his own family history. Based on recently declassified Army documents, this lecture explores a bold attempt by Bigley’s grandfather and great-uncle to revolutionize armored warfare with a high-speed tank design evaluated by the U.S. War Department. A fascinating tale of wartime ingenuity and determination brought back to light.
“We’re thrilled to invite the public back into the museum for this enriching in-person series,” said NASW Program Coordinator Austin Myers. “These lectures spotlight incredible untold stories, and we’re honored to provide a space where history and community intersect. Make sure to come prepared with questions as there will be a Q&A at the end of each lecture. We hope you’ll join us for this engaging and educational series.” The NASW Spring Lecture Series will take place at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, inside historic Hangar #1 at Cape May Airport. Please note that the hangar is not climate-controlled. The Museum recommends dressing appropriately for the weather.
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located inside historic Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport. The site was formerly Naval Air Station Wildwood, which served as a World War II dive-bomber training center. The museum is dedicated to the 42 aviators who perished while training at Naval Air Station Wildwood between 1943 and 1945. Current museum hours are 10am-4pm daily. For more information, visit www.usnasw.org.
