Dec 3 Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

1775 - On the day of its commissioning in Philadelphia, crewmembers on board the Continental sloop Alfred raise the Grand Union flag over their ship—the first American flag to fly over an American naval vessel. Serving as first lieutenant of Alfred is a Scottish-born mariner by the name of John Paul Jones, who becomes the most famous Continental Navy captain of the American Revolution.

 

1979 - A bus carrying U.S. Navy personnel to Sabana Seca Naval Communication Center near San Juan, Puerto Rico, is attacked by terrorists. Two sailors lose their lives and ten others are wounded.

 

1985 - CAPT Henry Kleemann '65, USN was lost when his F/A-18 Hornet flipped on the runway at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. He was the commanding officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 4. Henry grew up in Clinton, Illinois; at the Naval Academy he “amazed everybody with his ability to pull straight A's without cracking a book.” (The Lucky Bag also says “Hank was so impressed with our swimming program that he took extra instruction on the side stroke in the afternoons for two years.”) He was married in 1973 to Carol Anne Teano in 1973. She had two children from a previous marriage, and they had two others; they raised all four together. Henry is credited with the first air-to-air kill for the F-14 Tomcat, when he and his wingman shot down two Libyan fighters over the Gulf of Sidra in 1981. Henry was survived by his wife, children, and parents.

Academy & Graduate happenings

For 175 years, the art of fencing has been a part of the United States Naval Academy's (USNA) mission to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically. From the early days of sword masters instructing midshipmen in the “Art of Defense,” to modern competition on the national stage. “It feels amazing to be a part of history in this way,” said USNA Fencing President Midshipman 1st Class (senior) Gabriel Tisdale, an aerospace engineering major. “Even though I only have four years of that legacy, I'm proud to see the program on an upward trajectory.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hailed ADM Frank Bradley '91, the head of the U.S. military's special operations command (USSOCOM), as an "American hero" after the White House confirmed the top Navy admiral ordered a second strike on a suspected drug vessel in early September. In a social media statement on Monday, Hegseth said Bradley is "a true professional, and has my 100% support." "I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made—on the September 2 mission and all others since," he wrote.

Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign. Your generosity enabled the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA), the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation (USNA AA&F), and the Athletic & Scholarship Programs (A&SP) Trustees to successfully raise private “Margin of Excellence” resources that will advance the Physical Mission of the Naval Academy.

 

Your enthusiasm truly inspired us. Because so many stepped forward to champion this effort, we extended Giving Day and pushed into “overtime” to allow even greater impact. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary movement.

 

Your gifts strengthened the Physical Mission and empowered Navy Athletics to continue its commitment to developing leaders and achieving excellence in competition. This momentum continues—and there is still an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Government & Military News

China's navy is gradually moving closer to becoming a peer adversary for U.S.naval forces in the Pacific region, as evidenced by China's growing number of modern aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The increasing quality of these flattops also threatens to erase the qualitative advantages that U.S. ships currently have. The People's Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, has expanded its aircraft carrier well beyond its humble origins. It recently commissioned the domestically built Type 003 Class Fujian aircraft carrier, the first non-U.S. aircraft carrier in the world equipped with electromagnetic catapults used in the Gerald R. Ford-class of carriers.

The famed aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which is only days away from wrapping up 50 years of service, will stop in its former homeport of San Diego as it travels north to Bremerton, Wash., the Navy said Monday. The Navy's first nuclear-powered flattop is completing its final deployment, a journey that took it to the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East before it made the turn for Bremerton, where it will remain until it is decommissioned next year.

The U.S. Marine Corps activated three new companies at Camp Schwab in Okinawa as part of Force Design 2030. The changes reorganize Combat Logistics Battalion 4 into smaller and more flexible units. This structure helps Marines move faster, support missions more efficiently, and operate effectively across the Indo Pacific region.

Last month, some eagle-eyed Redditors noticed that there was something that seemed a little bit unusual about Marine Corps Commandant Gen Eric Smith's uniform. In the picture posted to the Marine subreddit, Smith was not wearing the commandant's official dress cap, which features golden oak leaves on the crown as well as the visor. Instead, Smith appeared to be wearing the dress cover for all other Marine generals, which lacks the gold ornamentation on the crown. As any current and former service member knows, uniforms are always a very sensitive topic, especially for the Marine Corps, which was founded in 1775 but didn't allow Marines to carry umbrellas while wearing their dress uniforms until 2019. (It is also one of the only institutions where grown adults will scream at each other until they are red in the face over the color of one's socks.)

U.S. submarine veterans are asking the VA to recognize health issues linked to long-term exposure to polluted air inside submarines. They say many former submariners lived and worked around harmful chemicals such as benzene, monoethanolamine, asbestos and radiation in tightly sealed, low oxygen spaces. A veterans group is urging the VA to release older classified air quality studies and support new research. Because many illnesses appear years later and can be hard to connect to submarine service, the group wants the VA to widen its rules so more submariners can receive disability benefits.

Local, Education & other academy news

You're invited to livestream the Navy Memorial's Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Wreath Laying Ceremony this Sunday, 7 December at 1:00 p.m. ET. Together, we honor the 2,304 lives lost on 7 December 1941 and pay tribute to the heroes whose courage and sacrifice shaped our nation's history. To watch the ceremony via livestream or to learn more about attending in person—including details about the wreath laying and the reception that follows—please register using the link below.

Join The National WWII Museum's Educational Travel Team and featured tour historian Jonathan Parshall for an exclusive first-look webinar on the 85th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Tour—a powerful, one-departure-only experience planned for December 2026. This is your chance to plan ahead for a journey that begins at the World War II Museum in New Orleans and concludes at the USS Arizona Memorial in the waters of Pearl Harbor. Along the way, you'll engage with expert historians, explore rare artifacts and stand in the very places where the course of history changed. Trips of this depth and significance fill early, and with only one departure, advance planning is essential. If you're considering connecting with this story and experience in a truly meaningful way, start now. The overview webinar will stream tomorrow, Thursday, 4 December 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CT. Register today to reserve your reminder and secure your spot at the front of the line for this unforgettable travel experience.

Cornell Navy ROTC midshipman Kylie Williamson '26 has been named Navy/Marines Student of the Year by Navy Federal Credit Union, a top honor in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) system. Williamson is the first Cornell student to win the award. Williamson, a physics major in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the battalion commander of Cornell's Naval ROTC unit, which includes 48 students from across the university. She was selected for the national award from a group of students nominated from 202 universities.

'Tis the season for Amazon purchases and gifts for everyone on your list, and when you use our Amazon Affiliate link below, you support USNA AA&F while you check off your holiday must-haves. No extra steps, no special checkout codes—just click the link and shop away. Yes, it's really that easy. Start your Amazon visit through the link, and a percentage of your total comes right back to the Academy at no extra cost. To confirm it's working, look for “wwwusnacom0f-20” in your Amazon URL. If you see it, you're set to shop 'til you drop—wrapping paper, gifts, stocking stuffers and all. 🎁

We're building a list of alumni who have previously served on congressional Service Academy Nomination Panels and are willing to assist again, either virtually or in person. If you've served before and would like to be contacted for future opportunities, please email Isaac Phillips to be added to our roster. We also have an immediate virtual opportunity for this Wednesday or Thursday, so if you're available and interested, please reach out as soon as possible.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Men's Basketball at Delaware State - Dover, Del. - 7:00 p.m.

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)

 

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

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel

6 Dec - Handel's Messiah - USNA Chapel - 7:00 p.m.

7 Dec - Handel's Messiah - USNA Chapel - 3:00 p.m.

8 Dec - Beat Army Pep Rally - Farragut Field - 6:00 p.m.

9 Dec - USNA Holiday Market - Dahlgren Hall - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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 - Wreaths Across America - USNA Cemetery - 7:30 a.m.

12 Dec - 13th Company Ball Run - T Court - 11:30 a.m.

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

16 Dec - Army/Navy Fall Sports Bell Ringing - T Court - TBD

18 Dec - USNA December Graduation

 

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