Episode Details

Graduating just three years before Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1938 was scattered across every theater of World War II. From the Pacific carrier battles to submarine patrols and naval aviation, discover the remarkable untold stories, sacrifice, and leadership of these Annapolis graduates thrust directly into the greatest conflict in history.

We sit down with author and historian Justin Laborde, Ph.D., to discuss Scattered Far and Wide: The Naval Academy Class of ’38 at War. Drawing on five years of research and firsthand accounts, Laborde follows the young officers of the Class of 1938 from the opening days of World War II through pivotal Pacific battles, prisoner-of-war camps, carrier operations, and submarine patrols. The story is also personal, Laborde’s grandfather was a member of the class, inspiring his journey to uncover the wartime experiences of the men who graduated from Annapolis on the eve of war.

To watch this as a video go to https://youtu.be/WLN8DSjUwMM.

• Aired On: October 7, 2026
• Guest: Justin Laborde, Ph.D.
• Host: Steve Buss
• Producer: Bob Score
• Produced by: Commemorative Air Force

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