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September 23, 2010

ULM’s Chardkoff to present talk at National World War II Museum in New Orleans Oct. 29-30

Dr. Richard Chardkoff, a professor of history at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, will deliver a talk on his recent book, “The Flyboy Heroes of Selman Field,” at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, where he will also lead a discussion on aerial navigation during the Second World War.

He will review his book from 1 to 3 p.m. in the museum’s Orientation Auditorium on Oct. 29 and hold a round table discussion on aerial navigation from 10 to noon in the same auditorium on Oct. 30.

Chardkoff’s book honors over 15,000 cadets who underwent pre-flight and advanced bomber navigator training at Selman Field in Monroe, the only all-inclusive navigational training facility in the United States during WWII.

It recounts the history of the base from its origins during World War II's opening days until its deactivation in 1947 and covers the demanding training endured by the cadets.

"The Fly Boy Heroes of Selman Field" is published by the Center for Louisiana Studies. Copies will be available for sale at the presentation.

Chardkoff has instructed at ULM for over three decades and teaches courses in American and Latin American history. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed "Sol's Story," an account of Holocaust survivor and Monroe businessman Sol Rosenberg.

Chardkoff completed his undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University and received his master's degree and Ph.D. from Florida State University.

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