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GI Film Festival San Diego

Heroes on Deck: World War II on Lake Michigan

Directed by John Davies

History, Navy, aviation, WWII / USA / 2016 / documentary / 57 mins / English

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Plays In:
Salute to the Navy

UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center
September 17, 2016 1:00 pm

Description

During World War II, just off Chicago’s shoreline, the U.S. Navy trained over 15,000 carrier pilots on two makeshift “flattops,” both former, coal-fired, side wheel passenger steamers. Not every pilot landed successfully on the pitching decks of the USS Wolverine and USS Sable and many aircraft went to the lake bottom. This is the story of the recovery of those rare warbirds and the ingenious training program that changed the course of the war in the Pacific.

Director's Bio

John Davies is a multi-Emmy® Award-winning writer/producer/director who has created series, specials and documentaries for almost every network and cable outlet, including NBC, ABC, FOX, MTV, AMC, TRU-TV, Bravo, VH-1, A&E, Lifetime, ESPN, and Comedy Central. His Showtime documentary “Phunny Business”, about Chicago’s first black-owned comedy club, was hailed as “one of the best documentaries of 2012” by film critic Roger Ebert.

Plays in

  1. Patrick Humphrey's father dressed in uniform. Photo courtesy of Tyler Trumbo.

    Salute to the Navy

    Navy
    See three exceptional films inspired by our Navy heroes.

    In This Program: Frogman, Farewell to Connie, Heroes on Deck: World War II on Lake Michigan

Preceded By

  1. The island of the USS Constellation, the brains of the entire ship. Every day sailors and officers would fill the bridges to command operations throughout the ship. Photo courtesy of Cody Long.

    Farewell to Connie

    Gary Robbins & Cody Long / Local Film Showcase Selection / USA / 2014 / documentary / 21 mins
    It was a city within a city. For 41 years, the carrier Constellation- home to as many as 5,500 sailors- operated out of San Diego Bay, where its island became a part of the city’s skyline. More than 160,000 men and women served on “Connie” during a period that stretched from the Vietnam War to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The short film recounts the history of the ship through the eyes of San Diegans who served on its decks.

    Precedes: Heroes on Deck: World War II on Lake Michigan

  2. Patrick Humphrey's father dressed in uniform. Photo courtesy of Tyler Trumbo. Watch Trailer Watch Trailer

    Frogman

    Tyler Trumbo / Vietnam, Navy / USA / 2016 / documentary / 16 mins
    The work of U.S. Government secret intelligence agents takes a toll on not only themselves, but their families. “Frogman” is a memoir told by the son of one Vietnam War agent who kept his hardships a secret for the safety of his country.

    Precedes: Heroes on Deck: World War II on Lake Michigan

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Dates & Times

Plays In:
Salute to the Navy

UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center
September 17, 2016 1:00 pm

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