Nov 24 Daily Shipmate

Monday, 24 November 2025

1992 - Marines lowered the flag at Subic Bay, U.S. Naval Facility, Republic of the Philippines, for the last time during ceremonies to turn over the facility to the government of the Philippines. The withdrawal ended almost a century of U.S. presence in that nation.

 

1943 - The Japanese submarine I-175 penetrates the protective screen around the escort carrier Liscome Bay (CVE-56) and sinks it off the Gilbert Islands. A total of 683 crewmembers are lost, including Rear Admiral Henry M. Mullinix, Commander Carrier Division 24. Liscome Bay is the first of six escort carriers lost in action during World War II.

 

1945 - ENS Henry Oates '45, USN, was lost when the training plane he was aboard crashed near Dallas, Texas. A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, he attended Louisiana State University for a year prior to the Naval Academy. Graduating in June 1944 – a year early due to the war – he served thirteen months aboard USS St. Louis (CL 49) in the Pacific, participating in the naval campaigns around the Philippines, Okinawa, and Kyushu. Henry was survived by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Put 'em in, coach. They're ready to sail. More than 1,000 soon-to-be Navy officers found out their future jobs Thursday at the U.S. Naval Academy with a unique reveal: a baseball jersey customized for the Navy or Marine Corps 'team' each senior was headed toward after graduation. Future pilots got a blue button-up with “Navy Pilot” in gold — the colors of the Blue Angels. Surface Warfare Officers got blue-on-blue unis that read “SWO” while future Silent Service sailors wore under-the-sea themed aqua marine “Submarines” jerseys. And the quarter of Annapolis seniors headed to the Marine Corps? Scarlet and gold, of course.

The "theme" for the 50 Years of Women Class of 1980 event scheduled for July is First Coed Class. “The men went through it with us.” - Janice Buxbaum '80. Get your First Coed Class gear and other awesome 50 Years of Women.

In this issue, you will find feature stories about PGA Tour Champion Billy Hurley '04, volleyball's Ava Toppin '26, and rifle coach Mike Anti. What a BIG WEEKEND for Navy Athletics! The Mids pulled even in the annual Star Series competition, with exciting victories from both #1 Men's Rugby and #1 Sprint Football! Navy football also had a huge upset over Univ. of South Florida, not to mention a statement win over Florida for our women's basketball team, and a great volleyball victory in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament. Excitement over all this momentum is palpable on the Yard. The Navy Letterwinners Tailgate at the Navy vs. USF game was an amazing event! Over 500 guests were in attendance, representing 35 varsity sports and ten club sports. Even Bill the Goat was wearing his letter sweater!

From the Podcast Fleet

Are you keeping up with our celebration of 50 years of women at USNA?

 

Waypoints has been busy interviewing alumnae across the decades, and in this episode we speak with Tatjana Qadada '83. Her reflections offer a powerful look at the courage, resilience and challenges experienced by women at the Academy over the past half-century.

We're grateful to Tatjana for sharing her powerful resilience story, and we encourage listeners to explore the Survivor Advocacy Network—founded and led by Service Academy alumnae—at survivoradvocacynetwork.org.

 

Listen, subscribe and stay connected on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Government & Military News

In a mutual demonstration of support and appreciation, First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance visited Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina, Nov. 19, engaging with service members, military families and students at Department of Defense Education Activity schools on both installations. With a shared goal of acknowledging the sacrifices made by those serving or deployed this holiday season, the visit provided an invaluable opportunity for both women to connect with service members and families.

Reports of the demise of the Marine Corps' legendary AV-8B Harrier II are greatly exaggerated, as evidenced by a U.S. Southern Command video released this week showing Harriers from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima conducting a live-fire ordnance exercise in the Caribbean. The Iwo Jima and several other Navy ships are part of a massive U.S. military buildup in the region that could presage operations against targets inside Venezuela. That build-up includes the USS Gerald R. Ford, which carries a more modern air wing. But the clips make clear the Harriers are also on call. The Harriers' presence in the build up may have surprised some after numerous Harrier retirements and decommissions throughout 2025.

Local, Education & other academy news

Yesterday featured the National Football League's My Cause My Cleats games, with select NFL players designing and wearing cleats to raise awareness and support for nonprofit organizations and causes they support. Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman David Quessenberry Jr., who grew up in Carlsbad, was wearing cleats that hit close to home. During Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Quessenberry wore blue, yellow and reds cleats with images and slogans of American Legion Post 416 in Encinitas. David's dad, David Quessenbery Sr. '80 is the Commander of the American Legion Post 416 and a veteran who served 34 years in the U.S. Navy. The NFL lineman shared with NBC 7 why he chose to honor his dad and Post 416.

Lt. j.g. Taylor Thompson grew up surrounded by the Navy — and by runners. A self-described Navy brat from Washington State, she was raised in a family where military service was a legacy and long-distance running was a constant. Her father served 23 years in the Navy, earned three master's degrees through the service, and competed in All-Navy cross country. Nearly all the men in her family graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. “I had some big shoes to fill,” Thompson said.

Keller Army Community Hospital (KACH) is actively working to integrate drone technology into military medical operations to enhance Soldier health and safety. As Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are increasingly utilized for various purposes, including prolonged field care, medical logistics and patient evacuation, it has become essential for military personnel to become proficient in their use. KACH has partnered with the United States Military Academy's (USMA) Robotics Research Center, within the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) department, to address the training gap in drone technology for Army Medical Department (AMEDD) personnel.

The holidays are right around the corner, making this the perfect time to customize your merchandise with your class crest and now your company's logo. Whether you're prepping for next year's reunions or showing your Navy pride, VSA has you covered. Customization is available for the whole family—moms, dads, siblings, and more. It's the perfect gift for everyone. Visit the VSA USNA AA&F store today and save.

Getting ready for holiday shopping? Don't forget to use the Amazon Affiliate link!

What is the Amazon Affiliate link? It's a program USNA AA&F participates in with Amazon, where a percentage of your order total comes back to the Academy when you shop through the link below. It's easy—just click the link and start your Amazon shopping. Not sure if you're using it correctly? Make sure your Amazon URL contains “wwwusnacom0f-20” and then shop until you drop this holiday season.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Men's Water Polo vs (7) Mercyhurst - W 20-6

Women's Volleyball at American (PLT-SF) - L 3-0

 

Saturday, 22 November
Men's Water Polo v GW - L 11-10

Men's Swimming & Diving vs Navy Fall Invitational – 1st place

Women's Swimming & Diving vs Navy Fall Invitational – 2nd place

Men's Cross Country at NCAA Championship – No Team Score - Mumford 164th place

Men's Basketball vs NJIT – W 86-70

Men's Squash vs Bowdoin – W 9-0

 

Men's Water Polo v Wagner - W 16-14

Rifle vs Alaska Fairbanks – W 4729 - 4722

Men's Squash vs Bates – W 9 - 0

Women's Basketball at Richmond – L 56 - 69

 

Army - Navy Star Series: Tied 4-4-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's outdoor. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country, Sprint Football, Men's Rugby. Tie - Women's Soccer)

 

6 Dec - M. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon

6 Dec - W. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon

13 Dec - Football - Baltimore, Md. - 3:00 p.m.

7 Feb - Rifle - West Point - 9:00 a.m.

7 Feb - Gymnastics - Annapolis - 2:00 p.m.

7 Feb - M. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

7 Feb - W. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

20 Feb - Wrestling - Annapolis - 7:30 p.m. - Alumni Hall

21 Feb - W. Basketball - West Point - TBA

21 Feb - M. Basketball - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - M. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

TBA - Baseball - Annapolis

TBA - M. Lacrosse - West Point

TBA - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis

TBA - M. Tennis - Annapolis

TBA - W. Tennis - Annapolis

 

USNA and AA&F Events

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

10 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. - 5-6 p.m. - Brudergarten, 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Online event: https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

12 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter - 8:30-10 a.m. - Taphouse, 1637 23418 Three Notch Rd, California, MD 20619, USA

13 Dec - Army-Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

 

4 Jan - USNA Semester Leave ends

6 Jan - USNA Classes Begin, Spring Semester

10 Jan - Pensacola Chapter Congressional Academy Day - 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Fl.

24 Jan - Thriving as Leaders Award Recognition, Fluegel (TBD)

 

14 Feb - Commissioning 101, Fluegel

19 Feb - USNA Entrepreneurs event, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Fluegel

 

13 Mar - Alumni Association Travel Showcase

27 Mar - Council of Annual Giving Spring Meeting, TBD

 

10 Apr - Athletic & Scholarship Program, Prizes & Review Committee Mtg, TBD

16 – 19 Apr - USNA Women's 50th Gala, Fluegel

24 Apr - Council of Annual Giving Spring Meeting

28 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting

29 Apr - AA & FDN Board of Directors & Trustees Joint Session

29 Apr - AA&FDN Board of Directors & Trustee Welcome Reception

30 Apr - U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Spring Board of Directors Mtg, Fluegel

30 Apr - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Committee Meeting, Fluegel

30 Apr - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Welcome Dinner

 

1 May - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Spring Meeting

7– 8 May - Service Academy Career Conference, Washington, D.C.

15 May - Class of 2026 1/ C out-processing, Alumni Hall

18 – 22 May - U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2026 Commissioning Week

21 May - President's Circle Sip Sip Soiree

22 May - Class of 2026 Commissioning and Graduation