Dec 5 Daily Shipmate

Friday, 5 December 2025

1843 - In launching ceremonies at Erie, Pennsylvania, the side­wheel steamer Michigan slides partly down the ways before becoming stuck. Darkness ends efforts to push it into the water, but the next morning shipwrights awaken to find it floating in Lake Erie, having launched itself during the night. It is an awkward beginning for Michigan, the U.S. Navy's first iron-hulled warship.

 

1945 - Flight 19, consisting of five TBM Avengers, takes off from Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a routine training flight. Although contact is maintained with the aircraft for a time, the radios eventually go silent and the aircraft are never seen again, spawning theories about their disappearance over the Bermuda Triangle.

 

1945 - CAPT George Stivers, Jr. '43, USMC was lost when his flight went missing during a training mission from Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Five torpedo bombers went missing; all fourteen men aboard the planes were lost, along with thirteen crew of a patrol bomber that exploded while searching for the missing flight. During the war George was cited for gallantry at Guadalcanal in 1942 and again at Tarawa in 1943, when he was aide de camp for General Julian Smith, commander of the 2nd Marine Division. He was survived by his mother.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Today is the kickoff for the exercise with West Point's Future Applied Systems (FAST) Team. This exercise, the Human Robotics Teaming exercise (HURT-X) will be held primarily on Saturday, 6 Dec, and incorporate ARES land and maritime warfare along with the YPs and YP Squadron, unmanned surface vessels, UAVs, and some of the latest technology being used overseas. On Friday, from 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. ET, there will be four Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) as well as a static display from USNA's Adaptive Rapid Engagement Squadron (ARES) at the end of Stribling Walk in the Mahan Parking Lot. The Navy is fielding 100's of GARCs across the fleet to provide unmanned and eventually autonomous capability to our surface fleet at scale. Technology like this is one way we can start to compete against China. The GARC, delivered by BlackSea Technologies, will be on display the the Alumni Association & Foundation Tailgate at Checkerspot 13 Dec. Tune into Wednesday's Sing Second Podcast when we talk to USNA Alum and BlackSea Technologies GARC expert Don Bouchard '86. Learn more about the GARC and BlackSea at the link below.

Watson was killed by a gunman on 6 December 2019, while serving as Officer of the Deck at a training building aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The base's commanding officer said, "The Sailors that lost their lives in the line of duty and showed exceptional heroism and bravery in the face of evil. When confronted, they didn't run from danger; they ran towards it and saved lives. If not for their actions… this incident could have been far worse."

From the Podcast Fleet

The Navy Football Podcast team reviews the impressive victory over Memphis. Record-setting former quarterback Keenan Reynolds says the second half rushing performance "demoralized" Memphis. Standout former fullback Eric Kettani loved the ground and pound approach. Producer Chris Servello has high praise for the defense, which shut out Memphis in the second half.

Government & Military News

It's a big deal whenever an aircraft carrier loses a plane during a deployment. In a six-month span while deployed to the Red Sea this year, the USS Harry S. Truman lost three F/A-18 Super Hornets, including one that was accidentally shot down by another Navy ship in a friendly fire incident. On Thursday, the Navy released investigations into the losses of each aircraft during the Truman's deployment from September 2024 to June 2025 that revealed a variety of errors and poor decisions that led to the incidents. Also Thursday, the Navy released a separate investigation into the 12 February collision between the Truman and a merchant vessel, finding that several errors by the crew led to the embarrassing mishap, and that the minimal damage sustained by the ship could have been much worse.

USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) chopped into U.S. Southern Command within the last 24 hours, USNI News has learned. A Navy official confirmed Thursday that Thomas Hudner has joined the Navy's buildup of ships in SOUTHCOM. Also in the region are the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group — USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28) and USS San Antonio (LPD-17) — cruisers USS Lake Erie (CG-70) and USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and the ships of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group — USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) and USS Mahan (DDG-72). “The sailors onboard Thomas Hudner are proud, professional and combat tested,” CDR David Cook '07, the destroyer's commanding officer, said in the release. “Thomas Hudner is combat ready, and our crew is poised to execute the nation's tasking.”

Local, Education & other academy news

CDR David Cook is a native of Floyds Knobs, Indiana. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park has named Susan Thaxton as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, concluding a national search that ultimately led back to its interim leader. Thaxton has served as Interim CEO since September, guiding the organization through a smooth transition while maintaining stability in operations and programming. Thaxton led a period of significant growth as Executive Director of Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake and also brings experience from General Motors and the United States Navy. A long-time Annapolis resident, Thaxton has deep roots in the community and has served on nonprofit boards and civic initiatives throughout the region. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Thaxton lives in Annapolis with her husband, Mickey '92, and their two daughters.

We Remember Pearl Harbor

As we mark the 84th anniversary of Pearl Harbor this Sunday, we pause to honor the 2,304 lives lost and the countless heroes whose courage shaped the course of our nation. Their legacy inspires us still.

 

In that spirit of remembrance, we are humbled to share the special video above which features an original song created by alum Cris Neish '97—written to honor the men and women who stood the watch on 7 December 1941. The music accompanies early details of our upcoming 2026 85th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Commemoration Travel Program, presented in partnership with The National WWII Museum.

 

This journey will allow our alumni, families, and friends to walk the historic sites, remember the fallen and reflect on the resilience of the Greatest Generation. Learn more at the link below.

The energy in Eisenhower Hall was electric on 3 December as 993 members of the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) Class of 2026 found out what their future held during Branch Night. Approximately three dozen 50-Year affiliates, graduates of the Class of 1976, also were on hand to share in the excitement and to support the cadets. “I said goodbye to my mom in this room on R-Day, and now I'm finding out where my career is headed,” said Class of '26 President Miles Manney, as he waited to head into Eisenhower Hall. Manney hoped to branch Infantry. The bulk of a cadet's 47-month journey culminates in Branch Night, where firsties find out which of the 15 branches of the Army will be home after graduation. Much effort and research go into matching cadets with the branch that best utilizes their talents; USMA's Accessions Division of the Department of Military Instruction guides cadets on that journey.

Legendary former Air Force men's basketball player Lt Gen Bob Beckel '59, USAF (Ret.), passed away recently. Beckel was part of the inaugural class for induction into the Air Force Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. A 1959 USAFA graduate, Beckel was a Helms Basketball All-American in 1959 and holds the school record for career scoring average at 22.8 points per game. He is one of only two men's basketball players to serve as the Cadet Wing Commander. He owns AFA's top four single-game scoring performances (58, 47, 46 and 40). He was the team MVP in 1959 and played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game that same season. Beckel returned to the Academy as a brigadier general in 1981 as the Commandant of Cadets.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Women's Basketball at Radford - L 84 - 97 2 OT

Wrestling at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational – Las Vegas, Nev. – Noon ET
Men's Squash at Hamilton – Clinton, N.Y. – 5:00 p.m.

Men's Track & Field vs Navy Indoor Invitational – Annapolis, Md. – 9:00 a.m.

Women's Track & Field vs Navy Indoor Invitational – Annapolis, Md. – 9:00 a.m.

Men's Squash at St. Lawrence – Canton, N.Y. – 1:00 p.m.

Wrestling at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational – Las Vegas, Nev. – 1:00 p.m. ET

 

Wrestling vs Patriot Open – Fairfax, Va. – 10:00 a.m.

Men's Squash at Rochester – Rochester, N.Y. – 11:00 a.m.

Men's Basketball vs Air Force – Annapolis, Md. – Noon

Women's Basketball vs Iona – Annapolis, Md. – 3:00 p.m.

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.

22-26 Jan - AA&F Engagement Roadshows - Central Savannah River Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina & NAPC of Georgia; SC Lowcountry Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina; Charleston Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina; SC Midlands Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina

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

20-22 Feb - AA&F Engagement Roadshows - Nashville Chapter + NAPC of Middle Tennessee; Chattanooga Chapter + NAPCs of Middle & Eastern TN; Knoxville-Oak Ridge Chapter + NAPC of Eastern Tennessee

 

 

12-15 Mar - AA&F Engagement Roadshows - Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona; Southern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona; Northern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona; New Mexico Chapter; Intermountain Chapter + NAPC of Utah

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