Lectures on Tap - No One Left Behind: The History of Combat Search & Rescue

Join us for a gripping evening with Dr. Lance Lewis as he traces the evolution of one of warfare’s most daring missions: getting our people back. From improvised rescues in World War II to high-stakes operations in Vietnam and beyond, Combat Search and Rescue has always stood at the intersection of courage, technology, and an unbreakable promise. Dr. Lewis will explore the origins and meaning of the Military Code of Conduct — why it exists, what it demands of those who are captured, and how SERE training prepares service members for the worst. He’ll walk you through a modern CSAR mission from the perspective of a downed pilot: the fear, the training that kicks in, and the extraordinary chain of people and machines mobilized to bring one person home. With the dramatic rescue of a downed crew in Iran in April, this subject has never felt more urgent. Drawing on 28 years as a Marine Colonel and F/A-18 pilot, and a PhD in War Studies, Dr. Lewis offers rare firsthand insight into the enduring ethos that no one is ever truly left behind. Agenda 6:30 PM – Doors open: find a seat (open seating!), order food & drinks, and expect a bar line—arriving early is key. 6:55 PM – Host introduction 7:00 PM – Lecture begins 7:45 PM – Audience Q&A 8:00 PM – Have 1:1 time with the speaker, mingle with fellow guests, and order another round 8:30 PM – Wrap up.