AUBURN — Lewiston-Auburn native Bob Begin will present a talk at noon Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Auburn Public Library. Begin will trace the launch and destruction of the USS Quincy during World War II.

Built in Quincy and named after that city, the heavy cruiser was launched in 1936 and, at that time, represented the best the navy had to offer.  Begin follows her career from launching, prewar years and events leading to her sinking in a night engagement at the start of the Guadalcanal campaign, which was America’s first offensive step on the road to Tokyo.

The Quincy, a heavy cruiser, would sink along with three other allied cruisers in a shocking defeat for America, and as such, a heavy ban was imposed on any news of the defeat for several months for fear of damaging war morale back home. 

Maine would lose five of her natives in the sinking. Begin presents a story of the men who were lucky to survive and those who sacrificed everything.

The program will be in the Androscoggin Community Room and is free.