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Walter K. Schroder
Defenses of Narragansett Bay in World War II
Hear about the historic events in the Narragansett Bay area during World War II, highlighting such subjects as the mobilization of Rhode Island 's National Guard in 1940, the manning of Rhode Island 's coastal defense fortifications, the Naval expansion in Narragansett Bay, enemy submarine action in Rhode Island waters, and the top secret Prisoner of War Re-Education Project at several military sites in the lower Bay area.
Hessian Occupation of Newport and Rhode Island, 1776-1779
Hessian troops made up a significant portion of the occupying force under British leadership from 1776-1778. Often demonized as mercenaries and hirelings this talk offers a view of these troops as more human and matter of fact. Using 18th century German-language sources to reveal new insights, Mr. Schroder offers informative analysis of German military involvement in our War of Independence.
Walter K. Schroder was born in Rhode Island, the son of German immigrants. He spent his youth in Germany, where he attended school and was drafted to serve with an antiaircraft battery at age fifteen near the end of WWII. As a prisoner of war he functioned as an interpreter until discharged in West Germany in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army of Occupation in 1948 and received his basic training at Marburg, Germany.
Following his discharge in America, he completed a civilian career with the Defense Department, retiring in 1989 after thirty-one years of service. At that time he was awarded the Navy 's Superior Civilian Service Medal. He has special interest in Rhode Island 's military history and has authored six books in that field, including Defenses of Narragansett Bay in World War II and The Hessian Occupation of Newport and Rhode Island, 1776-1778, as well as The Hessian Drummer Boy of Newport, a novel fit for middle school students based on the same topic. In 2007, he was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Needs: Lighted lectern/water; Slide projector and screen; Books available for sale upon request
Availability: Will accept evening programs as far north as Warwick. Areas farther north, prefer daytime bookings.