The National WWII Museum mourns the loss of dear friend Craig L. Symonds, who passed away October 13, 2026, at 79 years old. Symonds was a member of the Museum’s Presidential Counselors advisory group as well as a Vietnam War veteran and distinguished naval historian.

A longtime professor at the US Naval Academy and an award-winning author, Symonds helped generations of naval officers and readers alike understand the people, decisions, and sacrifices that shaped our nation’s naval history.  

Symonds, whose relationship with the Museum spanned more than two decades, joined the Presidential Counselors in 2024, providing valuable support and guidance on a number of mission-critical initiatives. He served as a historical adviser on the Museum's renovation of the flagship D-Day Invasion of Normandy exhibit and contributed to The HISTORY Channel’s World War II with Tom Hanks documentary series, both on and off screen. Symonds also frequently participated in Museum lectures, conferences, and Educational Travel tours, sharing his deep knowledge of military history with audiences both on campus and around the world. 

"Craig's legacy as a courageous veteran, brilliant scholar, dynamic educator, and trusted friend will continue to be an inspiration for us all," said Museum President & CEO Stephen J. Watson. "We will always cherish his commitment to the Museum and passion for this vital history." 

Born and raised in Anaheim, California, Symonds graduated from UCLA in 1967 before pursuing graduate studies at the University of Florida. He joined the US Naval Reserve in 1971, serving for three years and rising to the rank of Lieutenant. While in the Navy, he served on the staff and faculty of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Following his military service, Symonds returned to the University of Florida, where he earned his PhD in history.

In the fall of 1976, Symonds joined the US Naval Academy as a professor of history. Over the next 30 years, he would become one of the university’s most decorated professors, earning its highest honors for teaching, research, and civilian service. He served as chairman of the history department from 1988 to 1992 and was appointed Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 2005. Symonds later returned to the Naval War College, where he taught during the Vietnam War, to serve as the Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History from 2019 to 2021.

As a historian, Symonds authored nearly 20 books on American naval history, the Civil War, and World War II, including Lincoln and His Admirals, which won the Lincoln Prize in 2009. His WWII titles include The Battle of Midway, Neptune, World War Two at Sea, and Nimitz at War, which received the Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize. He received the Knox Naval History Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2023. In 2025, he published Annapolis Goes to War: The Naval Academy Class of 1940 and its Trial by Fire in World War II; his final book, Twelve Battles that Changed America, is scheduled for posthumous publication in 2027. 

"Through his expertise and commitment to preserving the history of World War II, Craig tremendously helped advance the Museum’s mission and strengthened our work for future generations—and he will be remembered as a valued member of our Museum community," said Watson.

We are grateful for Mr. Symonds's service, support, and friendship, and our thoughts are with his family.