Dec 2 Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 2 December 2025

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.

1941 - The first U.S Naval Armed Guard detachment, a gun crew trained to serve in merchant vessels, boards the freighter Dunboyne. All told, some 145,000 men serve in the Armed Guard during World War II, manning 6,236 merchantmen. A total of 1,810 men lose their lives, and five receive the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism.

 

1942 - LTCOL Harold Larson '31, USMC was lost when the “small transport airplane” he was piloting crashed near Indianhead, Maryland. Two other officers aboard were also killed; they were enroute from Washington, D.C. to Marine Corps Air Station, Parris Island, South Carolina, where Harold was the commanding officer. A Captain until January 1942, he had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel sometime in the intervening 10 months before his death. Harold was with the 4th Marine Regiment in China from late 1932 until mid-1935; his daughter was born there in 1933. His son was born in 1935 in San Diego, where he was then stationed. He began naval aviation training by January 1937, and became naval aviator #5578 on January 12, 1938. Harold was survived by his wife, children, mother, and sister. (His daughter, Lillian, was married to Charles Darrell '52 until her death in 2002.)

 

1944 - The tin cans of Destroyer Division 120 enter Ormoc Bay on Leyte in the Philippines and engage in a night action with the enemy. Cooper (DD-695) sinks after being struck by a torpedo, but not before joining other ships in sinking the Japanese escort destroyer Kuwa. Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and Moale (DD-693) are damaged in the engagement.

Officially licensed TAG Heuer collegiate watches from M.LaHart & Co.—an unforgettable holiday gift for alumni, fans, and families. Order by 4 December for holiday delivery.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Navy Athletics Giving Day is TODAY. Your gifts in support of this campaign are an investment in the Physical Mission and are essential in allowing Navy Athletics to fulfill its mission of leadership development and excellence in competition. Sustained support to the Physical Mission provides the resources necessary for all programs to successfully compete for and win championships. USNA AA&F and the Athletic & Scholarship Programs (A&SP) Trustees are partnering with the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA) partners to raise private "Margin of Excellence" resources to support the priorities of the Physical Mission of the Naval Academy. Over 95% of Navy Athletics' annual budget comes from external, non-government resources. These contributions can be designated to each one of the 36 varsity sports, club sports, or the Fund for Athletic Excellence.

Season 6 - Episode 15. It's December! Wow...say goodbye to 2025. We hardly knew ya. The Sing Second boys are gearing up for a full week of Army-Navy pods by bringing you an amazing double interview. First we chat with USNA parent Cortney Ellish. Her daughter is navigating Plebe year, and the Ellishes are navigating watching her diving career and living in Phoenix. On top of all that, the Ellishes support the USNA Foundation with their philanthropy. We chat to Cortney about it. And are you ready for the Terminators to roam the streets like Schwarzenegger? That's what happens when AI starts making your Army-Navy spirit music. We interview Cris Neish '97 about his mastery of the AI prompts and his awesome songs that you just might hear at M&T Bank stadium for the big game on the 13th. Those interviews and a discussion about Giving Tuesday, a big win at Memphis and POTUS attending Army-Navy. That and more on the very best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army...always.

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The U.S. Naval Academy will prepare for this year's Army-Navy Game with a pep rally on 8 December at 6 p.m. and the running of the game ball on 12 December at 11:30 a.m. The ball run departure and pep rally are not open to the general public.

 

Pep Rally – Monday, 8 December at 6 p.m. to approx. 8 p.m.

 

The “Beat Army” pep rally will be held on Farragut Field with remarks from the Naval Academy's superintendent and commandant.

 

Navy football players and cheerleaders will pump-up the crowd of midshipmen and the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps will perform “Anchors Aweigh” at the event.

 

The pep rally will conclude with the Brigade of Midshipmen singing the Naval Academy's alma mater, “Navy Blue and Gold.”

 

Ball Run Ceremony – Friday, 12 December starting at 11:30 a.m.

 

Midshipmen from the 13th Company will gather for a motivational kick-off to begin the trek from Bancroft Hall to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The team will run a 36-mile route for the annual running of the Army-Navy game ball.

 

The run will be split into four mile legs and will be divided up over 12 and 13 December.

 

The Army marathon team will also run a game ball from West Point. Both teams will run onto the field prior to the start of the game and present each game ball.

 

Originating in 1982 as a desire to get the “unlucky” 13th Company off the Naval Academy grounds, the ball run has evolved into a highly spirited event that demonstrates the pride and enthusiasm of the entire Brigade of Midshipmen, their physical mission, and their excitement and support for the Army-Navy football tradition.

 

Patriot Games in Baltimore – Friday, 12 December from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

 

The annual Patriot Games is a spirited and friendly competition between midshipmen and cadets involving multiple events around Baltimore.

 

The team with the most points will win this year's bragging rights and be presented with the Patriot Games trophy on the field during the game.

 

The following events (subject to change) are open to the public and as follows:

 

9:30 a.m. Tug of War - Federal Hill Park

10:45 a.m. Mogadishu Mile - Federal Hill Park

1:00 p.m. Pull Ups - Inner Harbor

1:45 p.m. Zodiac Race - Inner Harbor

 

 

The Army-Navy Game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., Saturday, 13 December at 3 p.m. Navy is the home team this year.

 

This year's game marks the 126th time the Naval Academy's Midshipmen will compete against West Point's Black Knights on the football field. The football rivalry began in 1890 with Navy beating Army 24-0.

 

Navy's record against Army currently stands at 63 wins, 55 losses, and seven ties.

 

For info about the game, please go to Navy Sports and Army Navy Game websites.

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of 1 December 2025, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

The Navy has a new U.S. Fleet Forces commander after ADM Karl Thomas assumed the role on Monday in a ceremony aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). Thomas takes over the position last held by Chief of Naval Operations ADM Daryl Caudle, who presided over the ceremony. Thomas commissioned into the Navy in 1986 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Local, Education & other academy news

Did you know: You do not have to wait for Shipmate magazine to access alumni obituaries?

We know many in our community rely on Shipmate to stay connected and honor fellow alumni. But did you know that obituary notices are also available online year-round, offering a timely way to share remembrance and support for the families of those who have passed? You can access this information whenever you need it, day or night.

Our Beat Army Tailgate may be SOLD OUT, but there's still one place you don't want to miss on Game Day: the Beat Army Watch Party at the Fluegel Alumni Center in Annapolis. Our third annual exclusive celebration is where Navy fans will be gathering to kick off the most anticipated game of the season together.

 

Those who join us will enjoy great food and drinks, door prizes, a football pool, swag, photo ops and the kind of spirited camaraderie you can't get watching from home. If you missed out on game tickets—or simply want a guaranteed fun, comfortable place to cheer on the navy blue and gold—this is the spot everyone will be talking about.

 

Doors open one hour before kickoff. Tickets include all festivities, with optional food and drink packages. Private viewing areas are also available.

 

We anticipate a sold-out party for this event too, so don't delay. Register today!

 

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

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

 

 

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 - 11:00 a.m.

21 Feb - M. Basketball - West Point - 1:30 p.m.

27-29 Mar - Baseball - West Point - TBA

4 Apr - W. Tennis - Annapolis - 11:00 a.m.

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

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

11 Apr - M. Lacrosse - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis - 12:00 p.m.

18 Apr - M. Tennis - Annapolis - 1:00 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

 

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel

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

 

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