Dec 4 Daily Shipmate

Thursday, 4 December 2025

1943 - The carriers of Task Force 50, under RADM Charles A. Pownall '10, USN, launch air strikes against Japanese installations on Kwajalein and Wotje in the Marshall Islands. In addition to damage inflicted on land targets, the strike results in the sinking of four enemy vessels and damage to seven other ships, including two light cruisers. During the Japanese counterattack an aircraft puts a torpedo into the carrier Lexington (CV-16).

 

1950 - While flying a mission near Hagaru-Ri in the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, the F4U Corsair flown by Ensign Jesse Brown of VF-32 from the aircraft carrier Leyte (CV-32) is hit by enemy fire. Brown makes a forced landing and is pinned in the cockpit. Squadronmate Lieutenant (junior grade) Thomas J. Hudner '47, USN, purposefully crash lands his own aircraft and makes his way to Brown's crashed aircraft. Despite Hudner's repeated efforts to save Brown—who is the first African American designated a naval aviator after completing the Navy's flight training program—he eventually dies. Hudner is rescued by a helicopter and subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

 

That same year, LtCol Raymond G. Davis led his battalion into Hagaru-Ri, Korea after four days of intense fighting in the mountain passes against a numerically superior hostile force. His battalion, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, helped clear the way for the 5th and 7th Marines, and LtCol Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

 

1958 - CAPT William Thorn '32, USN and CAPT Edward Seiler, Jr. '39, USN were lost when the plane they were aboard crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. shortly after taking off from Naval Air Station Anacostia. Both were qualified instrument pilots and both specialized in antisubmarine work in the office of the chief of naval operations. William had commanded USS Antietam (CVS 36) in 1956-57; previously he'd commanded Patrol Squadron (VP) 74 in Bermuda in early 1942 and the Coco Solo Naval Base in 1954. William was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters. Edward's previous tours included commanding officer of Patrol Bomber Squadron (VPB 207), executive officer of Air Transport Squadron (VR) 22, executive officer of Naval Air Station Norfolk, and executive officer of USS Lexington (CV 16). Edward was survived by his wife and their four children.

 

1983 - In response to attacks by Syrian antiaircraft batteries and surface-to-air missiles against U.S. aircraft the previous day, a 28 aircraft strike group from the carriers Independence (CV-62) and John F. Kennedy (CV-67) attacks Syrian positions in the mountains east of Beirut, Lebanon. An A-6 Intruder of Attack Squadron (VA) 85 is hit by enemy fire. The pilot, Lieutenant Mark A. Lange '79, USN, is mortally wounded and bombardier-navigator Lieutenant Robert O. Goodman '78, USN is taken prisoner after their aircraft crashes. The A-7 Corsair II flown by Commander Edward K. Andrews of Carrier Air Wing Six, is also shot down. Though wounded, Andrews is rescued.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Tim Disher '81 officially retired in a ceremony at Nimitz Library 3 December. Disher graduated from the Naval Academy and joined the submarine community. He was selected as a Foreign Area Officer and assigned to serve as the liaison officer in Madrid, Spain for all cooperative programs between the U.S. and Spanish Navies. He retired from the U.S. Navy on 1 September 2007 and served as the Director, International Programs Office at Navy since. He was responsible for coordination of international engagement programs for faculty, staff and the 4,500 midshipmen including semester study abroad, immersion and professional exchanges. “Tim, on behalf of the Alumni Association and Foundation, thank you for building the Naval Academy's International Programs into the amazing program that it is today. Every year our alumni ask how they can support the program because they believe in its mission.....exposing Midshipmen to different international cultures so that they are better prepared when they commission and enter the Fleet. From a personal perspective, I'm eternally grateful to you for allowing me to be a part of the program while stationed here as the DepDant. Fair winds and following seas!” - TJ Grady '96, Executive Vice President - Alumni Association

Navy Women's Lacrosse players were joined by Athletic Director Michael Kelly, coaches, staff and Alumni Association & Foundation staff in receiving their 2025 Patriot League Championship Rings Wednesday at the Fluegel Alumni Center (FAC). Midn 3/C Mikayla Williams scored the golden goal with 16 seconds remaining in the first half of overtime to lift No. 21 Navy (15-5) to a 14-13 victory over top-seeded and 15th-ranked Loyola (13-6) in the Patriot League Tournament Championship game last May. It was the seventh Patriot League Championship in program history and the first since 2018. The win snapped Loyola's 61-game winning streak against Patriot League opponents including both regular season and postseason. The win by Navy was the fourth in program history against Loyola, including three in the Patriot League Tournament Championship (2017, '18, '25). The players received the rings through a concerted internal fundraising effort from Navy Women's Lax alumni and support from Naval Academy Athletics Association (NAAA). After receiving the rings, the players took photos at the Fluegel Alumni Center Blue & Gold Bar and outside deck.

Haley Carter '06 has joined the Washington Spirit as the President of Soccer Operations, effective as of 1 December, the club announced on Wednesday. Carter will be responsible for “defining and executing the long-term vision and strategic plan for the Spirit's soccer operations,” while Minion focuses on day-to-day oversight including roster construction and salary cap management. “Haley represents exactly the type of leader we want driving our soccer operations forward,” said Michele Kang, the majority owner of the Washington Spirit. “She brings unique experience as a former NWSL player and proven executive with a clear commitment to elevating women's soccer,” said Kang. “This new role reflects our continued investment in the Spirit's infrastructure, supporting Nate and his team as we build a sustainable, world-class soccer organization.” Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer for eight years. She was a player for the Houston Dash as a goalkeeper.

VetsBoats is a national nonprofit dedicated to healing service-disabled veterans through sailing. By fostering camaraderie and purpose, VetsBoats transforms lives and communities, transitioning from a local initiative to a scalable network of chapters and affiliates. With a mission to serve 20,000+ veterans and family members annually, the organization standardizes safety, outcome measurement, and program delivery—using tools like the Well-Being Index to track impact. VetsBoats is committed to financial transparency, sustainable growth, and building a vibrant national community where veterans find healing, connection, and renewed purpose on the water. Terry Moran '88 is the Founder and CEO of VetBoats. He is a 1988 graduate of the Naval Academy and a 28 year Navy veteran. Terry began his career flying the F-14 Tomcat, flying 33 combat missions and accumulating almost 300 carrier landings. He advanced in the Navy Reserve to command an BQM-74 drone unit in IRAQI FREEDOM and an MQ-9 unit at China Lake CA. Moran will appear on the Sing Second Podcast for the mid-season finale 16 December 2025.

From the Podcast Fleet

Navy football posted an impressive victory over Memphis on Thanksgiving night to earn a share of first place in the American Conference. Mike James, publisher of The Mid Report and color commentator for the Navy Football Radio Network, joins to review the 28-17 defeat of Memphis and discuss other topics within the American Conference. We also talk Navy men's basketball with radio play-by-play announcer Matt Sabados.

Government & Military News

The U.S. Marine Corps is calling on service members to apply to become counterintelligence (CI) and human intelligence (HUMINT) specialists. A solicitation approved by LtGen Melvin Carter, deputy commandant for information, invites Marines to pursue “Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Specialist military occupational specialty” for fiscal year 2027. According to the solicitation, the service's Manpower and Reserve Affairs directorate has deemed the specialty essential to ongoing mission requirements, “and the demand for qualified Marines to lateral move into this [field] will remain high for the foreseeable future.” CI/HUMINT specialists conduct sensitive intelligence operations in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders and other leaders in both deployed and garrison settings.

Congress is considering the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 6047) — a bold move to raise VA disability and survivor benefits for the most seriously wounded veterans. The bill would add $10,000 per year for catastrophically injured veterans and give survivors a 1% annual increase for five years. More than 500,000 veteran families could see real relief. If passed, this would be the first non-inflation benefit boost since 1993 — a powerful step toward recognizing their sacrifice and providing long-overdue support.

Local, Education & other academy news

“Accelerating Shipbuilding to Pace the Threat” is the theme of the forum, which tackles one of the most pressing challenges facing American seapower. The Honorable John C. Phelan, Secretary of the Navy, kicks off the conference with perspective on how the Navy is prioritizing the rebuilding of the U.S. maritime industrial base to support shipbuilding and meet global demand, as well as the challenges of maintaining operational availability. Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), are included in the distinguished lineup of speakers from across the defense community who will examine the strategic, industrial, and budgetary factors shaping the nation's shipbuilding future. Also included in the program is a featured panel - Allied Shipyards, American Seapower - which will explore the opportunities, challenges, and implications of forging joint shipbuilding and repair ventures with leading Indo-Pacific nations and consider how to better incorporate allies and partners into solving the shipbuilding challenge. Register for the conference and networking reception at link below.

The Inner West Street Association has announced a packed calendar of community events for fall and winter 2025, bringing live music, food, art, and holiday cheer to downtown Annapolis. All events will take place on the first block of West Street near Church Circle. Details and updates can be found at the link below.

If you are a regular member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association who resides in the central and eastern regions (see regional map), you will soon have the opportunity to vote for your regional trustee on the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees. The election launches on 16 February 2026 and closes on 27 March 2026.

 

IMPORTANT ELECTION NOTICE: There will be no paper (mail-in) ballots or phone-in voting this election cycle. All voting will be accomplished electronically through an online voting portal provided by YES Elections. It is best if you have a current and valid email address on file with the Alumni Association to vote in the election. If you are and central or eastern region member and not sure your email address is current and valid, now is the time to check your profile on USNA.com.

 

Voting will commence when central and eastern region regular members receive an email on 16 February from our third-party election service YES Elections with instructions to vote online. We will also post a link to the electronic ballot on our website.

 

Information on your central and eastern region candidates is coming soon.

 

Questions? Please reach out to Board secretary Wesley Huey '87.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

The Men's team will take on Temple Friday night at 7 p.m., and West Chester at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Navy Women's team also has an exciting matchup scheduled on Sunday at 11 a.m. versus Ohio State.

 

Friday night we'll have Taco Bar inside the ice rink, and the Coach's Corner will be open both Friday and Saturday nights, serving up tasty snacks and beverages!

 

Tickets for Men's and Women's games are $10/Adults and $5/youth, and can be purchased upon arrival to the game.

Men's Basketball at Delaware State - W 66 - 59

Women's Basketball at Radford - Radford, Va. - 6:00 p.m.

 

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

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