My husband got the right answer, too. I think Europeans were taught more World geography than we were in the schools, while growing up in the 60s. And yes, we thought the Navy guy should have gotten it right.
Maybe, maybe not. I'm sure he learned more European geography than we did. Growing up the 60's and 70's United States myself, I think we tended to do more on US geography than he did.
In school, I could (and still can) place all 50 states and name their capital cities on a map with only the state boundaries showing. Doubt I could do more than about 60-70% of the countries in Europe, though. And I consider myself somewhat of a geography geek!