Nick Marinaro on “The Maritime Landscape During the Civil War and Pivotal Naval Battles, 1861–1865”

Join Nick Marinaro for an engaging exploration of the naval theater of the American Civil War, a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the conflict. This talk will examine how the Union and Confederacy vied for control of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and key Southern rivers, shaping strategic and economic outcomes. Highlighting groundbreaking innovations in naval warfare, Nick will discuss the introduction of ironclad ships, sea mines (torpedoes), revolving gun turrets, and the Confederacy’s pioneering use of the submarine H.L. Hunley. The presentation will focus on three pivotal battles:

• USS Kearsarge vs. CSS Alabama (June 1864): A dramatic duel off the coast of France that showcased Union naval superiority.
• Battle of Hampton Roads (March 1862): The historic “Clash of the Ironclads,” featuring the USS Monitor vs. CSS Virginia, marking the dawn of modern naval warfare.
• Battle of Mobile Bay (August 1864): A decisive Union victory, led by Admiral David Farragut, that sealed the Confederacy’s fate in the Gulf.

Discover how these battles and innovations reshaped maritime strategy and influenced the course of the Civil War. Don’t miss this deep dive into a transformative era of naval history!

Nick Marinaro was born and raised in Fresno, California, and has had an interest in the Civil War since elementary school. He graduated from Clovis High School and Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology. His 38 year professional career was with the Stanford University/City of Palo Alto Fire Departments, retiring as Fire Chief. Nick has been a member of the Lions Club for 23 years and is the President of the Peninsula Council of Lions Clubs and Treasurer for the Lions Veterans Charities. He is a Board Member of the Palo Alto/Stanford Historical Association (PAST) and the Treasurer of the Peninsula Civil War Roundtable.

Dana Lombardy on “The Battle of the Bulge”

Dana Lombardy is back for part 2 of his presentation on the other World War Two 80th anniversary battle in Western Europe. This time Dana explores the Battle of the Bulge, America’s largest land battle in Europe. Dana created an illustrated history and worked with fellow Hall of Fame game designer Steve Jackson to update Steve’s classic game One-Page Bulge. How close did the Germans come to winning their last major offensive in Europe?

Dana Lombardy was an Associate Online Editor for Armchair General and now does research, writing and design through LombardyStudios.com Dana appeared on television nearly twenty times, including multiple episodes of The History Channel’s “Tales of the Gun” series. He has contributed as an editor, cartographer, graphic artist and designer on many books, games and magazines, was Publisher of Napoleon Journal from 1996-2000, published nine issues of World War One Illustrated, and was consulting historian for the Armistice Centennial exhibit in the San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building lobby (now on display on the second floor).