8 Jan AA&F Morning Paper

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

1815 - In an engagement that becomes known as the Battle of New Orleans, British forces launch an attack against American positions at New Orleans, Louisiana. Attacking the forces of General Andrew Jackson on both sides of the Mississippi River, the British suffer a staggering number of casualties with over 2,000 men killed or wounded in comparison to only 71 American troops.

2014 - LT J. Wesley Van Dorn '07, USN was lost on January 8, 2014 when the CH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter he was piloting caught fire and crashed near Norfolk, Virginia. The documentary film “Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn?” was released in 2018 and is available for streaming on Amazon.

U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club performs 'My Country, Tis of Thee' at the President Carter ceremony.

The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club performed at a U.S. Capitol memorial ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter Tuesday. Lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to eulogize Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100. Carter will lie in state until Thursday, when his funeral will be held at the National Cathedral in Washington. He will then return to the Carter estate in Georgia where he will be interred.

The USNA AA&F will produce stories throughout 2025 to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Naval Academy alumni who served in the Vietnam War. These stories will be featured in Shipmate, on a dedicated webpage, on social media and YouTube. Gathering and sharing the stories of Naval Academy alumni who served during the Vietnam War required an all-hands effort by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association's communications team, and we are excited to bring you these stories in 2025. 

 

 

17 February 1960 – LCDR Roger Mullins '45 is an operational loss when the plane he was flying in crashed into Hon Chay Mountain near Da Nang. He is the first Naval Academy alumni to perish during the Vietnam War.

 

144 – Naval Academy alumni killed in action

 

30 – Naval Academy alumni operationally lost

 

39 - Alumni POWs

 

1 - Medal of Honor received by Naval Academy alumni (ADM James Stockdale) for Vietnam service

 

22 – Navy Crosses awarded to Naval Academy alumni for actions in Vietnam

6 January 1973 - Lt John Lindahl '65, USN – operational loss, the final Naval Academy alumni to perish in the Vietnam War.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

The U.S. Navy Submarine Force's newest attack submarine, the future USS Iowa (SSN 797) was delivered to the Navy on Dec. 22, 2024, marking the 12th battle force ship delivered to the Navy this calendar year. The boat's delivery represents the official transfer of the submarine from the shipbuilder to the Navy. The submarine and crew will now undertake a series of tests and trials before commissioning into active service and providing additional capability to the fleet. “The Virginia-class submarine represents a Navy and industry commitment to deliver warfighting excellence to the fleet,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach '97, Virginia Class Submarine program manager. “Iowa is the second Virginia-class submarine delivered this year. With each delivery, the Navy continues to strengthen our Nation's undersea advantage.”

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Academy Securities, the nation's first Post-9/11 veteran owned and operated investment bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Spencer Wilcox '00 as its new President. Spencer Wilcox, a Post-9/11 Navy Veteran, has served as a Managing Director at Academy for the past 8 years. Most recently, Mr. Wilcox was the Head of Fixed Income and Capital Markets where he helped grow the firm tremendously in both of these sectors. Mr. Wilcox replaces Phil McConkey as Firm President. Mr. McConkey is pleased to transition to the role of Vice Chairman. Mr. Wilcox is a United States Naval Academy graduate with post-graduate work (MBA) at Columbia University – Columbia Business School and University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

The Naval Academy and NSA Annapolis are currently under increased force protection measures.  If you plan on accessing the Yard for sporting events and you do not have a Department of Defense ID to drive on to Academy grounds, you are encouraged to ride the shuttle bus from the press box side of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. There is a $10 charge to park and the shuttle bus is free. Shuttle bus hours begin one hour before the start of an event and end one hour after the conclusion of an event. Fans can also park downtown and walk on via Gate 1 at the Visitors Access Center for all sporting events on the Yard. Those 18 years old and over must have a valid picture ID (state issued driver's license, student I.D., or a government issued passport). Those 17 years old and younger who do not have a valid picture ID must be accompanied by an adult. General public visitation (visits not associated with an event) have currently been suspended.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Today's Matchups

Men's Basketball at Holy Cross - Worcester, Mass. - 6 p.m.

Women's Basketball v Holy Cross - Annapolis, Md. - 7 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

JANUARY

11 Jan - Recent Grad Social - Pensacola, FL

11 Jan - Pensacola Chapter roadshow – Pensacola, FL

12 Jan - So. Alabama Chapter & NAPC of Alabama roadshow - Spanish Fort, AL

13 Jan - So. Mississippi Chapter & NAPC of Mississippi roadshow - Biloxi, MS

14 Jan - Louisiana Chapter & NAPC of Louisiana roadshow - Metairie, LA

15 Jan - Atlanta Chapter & NAPC of Georgia roadshow - Atlanta, GA

 

FEBRUARY

6 Feb - USNA Ship Selection

15 Feb - Commissioning Week 101, Fluegel

21 Feb - 85th Brigade Boxing Finals

27 Feb - Naval Academy Entrepreneurs event, Fluegel, 5 - 9 p.m.

 

MARCH

7-16 Mar - USNA Spring Break

12-13 Mar - SACC Atlanta

21 Mar - Distinguished Graduate Award Ceremony and Dinner, USNA (T)

22 Mar - Distinguished Graduate Leadership Panel, Mahan, USNA

27-29 Mar - Naval Academy Minority Association, (NAMA) Leadership Forum

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit

 

APRIL

5 Apr - Annapolis Cup - USNA v St. John's Croquet Match

10-12 Apr - Class of 1955 - 70th Reunion

11 Apr - Athletic & Scholarship Programs Spring Meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

24 Apr - AA&F Vietnam Legacy of Valor Series Speaker Event - FAC

24 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

24-27 Apr - Class of 1970 - 55th Reunion

25 Apr - USNA Dedication Parade, Worden Field

30 Apr - USNA Capstone Day

30 Apr - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Welcome Reception

 

MAY

1 May - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Meeting, Fluegel

6-8 May - Class of 1957 - 70th Reunion

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring Board of Trustees Meeting, Fluegel

8-9 May - SACC Washington DC

14 May - Class of 2028 Herndon Climb

21 May - Blue Angels CFR Event - Hospital Point, USNA

22 May - Color Parade, Worden Field

22 May - USNA Prizes & Awards, Alumni Hall, 2 p.m.

23 May - Class of 2025 Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, NMCMS

 

25 Jun - Athletic & Scholarship Program Pre-I Day Reception, Fluegel

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029

 

21-22 Aug - SACC San Diego

28-31 Aug - Class of 1960 - 65th Reunion

30 Aug - Navy vs VMI, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 - 35th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 - 30 Reunion

4 Oct - Navy vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 - 60th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 - 50th Reunion

25 Oct - Naval Academy Homecoming

25 Oct - Welcome Home Event, Fluegel

30 Oct - Council of Class Presidents Fall Meeting