Dec 10 Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

A NAVY TRADITION, ONE BLOCK FROM THE YARD

Planning a return to the Yard or a weekend in Annapolis? Fair Winds offers alumni a boutique, nautical-inspired home port in the heart of historic DTA — just one block from USNA, Main Street, and the waterfront. Our beautifully restored five-bedroom residence is perfect for reunions, Navy football weekends, class gatherings, weddings, and milestone celebrations anchored in tradition.

 

Owned and thoughtfully curated by two USNA grads, Fair Winds blends Annapolis heritage with modern comfort, giving guests a warm, familiar place to drop anchor while reconnecting on the Yard and with the city we all hold dear.

Chart your next stay at fairwindsdta.com. Go Navy, Beat Army!

From 10 years ago…Luke and his band of fellow Mids set out on a journey to rescue Midshipman Leia from Army West Point on the eve of Navy football's 14th victory. Losing streaks are a path to the dark side. May the 14 be with them.

1941 - Japanese aircraft bombed the Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines, destroying shore facilities, sinking one vessel and damaging six more. Amid the attack, Chief Boatswain Earl D. Payne, serving as a gunner in a PBY Catalina of Patrol Squadron 101, downed a Japanese A6M2 Zero fighter, marking the Navy's first air-to-air kill of the war. Among the fallen was LTjg Samuel Hunter Jr. '38, USN, who was killed when a Japanese bomb struck USS Sealion (SS 195) while it was moored in Cavite. An officer aboard USS Seadragon (SS 194), he became the first member of the submarine service killed in World War II. His family bore even more loss: his cousin LTjg John Daub Jr. '36, USN had been killed when USS Reuben James (DD 245) was sunk near Iceland in October 1941, and another cousin died in an Army Air Corps crash the following year. Samuel, a Pittsburgh native, was remembered in his Lucky Bag entry as “a first class fighting man.”

 

That same day, an SBD Dauntless from USS Enterprise (CV-6) sank the Japanese submarine I-70 off the Hawaiian Islands, the first sinking of an enemy vessel by U.S. Navy carrier aircraft in World War II.

 

1950 - U.S. Navy ships of Task Force 90 under the command of RADM James H. Doyle '20, USN begin evacuating personnel and equipment from Hungnam, North Korea. The two-week effort results in 105,000 American and South Korean troops, 91,000 civilians, and 350,000 tons of supplies and equipment being taken aboard ship. Once the evacuation is completed, demolition charges are triggered, destroying Hungnam's harbor installations to deny their use to the enemy.

 

1995 - In Bosnia, 22 Marines from Marine Corps Security Force Company, Naples, Italy were among the first American troops to arrive. They provided the security for Allied Forces Southern Europe headquartered at Sarajevo. About 2,500 NATO troops would be in place by 19 December taking on the task of peace enforcement in former Yugoslavia from the U.N.

Academy & Graduate happenings

We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 USNA Distinguished Graduate Award. This year's honorees are:

These outstanding graduates embody the core values of the Naval Academy through their exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment and extraordinary contributions. Whether serving in the military, engaging in public service or excelling in various professional fields, they continue to strengthen our nation and inspire our alumni community.

 

Join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements. A formal ceremony will be held in the fall of 2026.

Nearly 4,000 midshipmen packed Farragut Field for a high-energy pep rally to kick off Army–Navy Week at the U.S. Naval Academy. The Drum & Bugle Corps handled the soundtrack as the Brigade celebrated under drones, flaming cauldrons and a towering bonfire complete with an effigy of an Army mule set ablaze to cap the night. The rally brought together the entire Brigade of Midshipmen for a night focused on the rivalry with Army which is this Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.

Lyft has announced that Navy Recruiting Command will “take over” the rideshare app nationwide during Saturday's Army-Navy game. The takeover will include a Navy banner across the ride request screen, and all vehicle icons will be replaced with aircraft carriers. After the ride is requested, a Navy video will play, and a button will be displayed prompting riders to look at careers in the Navy. “For 250 years, the Navy has been a symbol of strength, service and forward motion,” RADM James Waters '89, USN, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, said in a news release. “Partnering with Lyft during the Army-Navy game allows us to celebrate the Navy's legacy in a modern way, meeting game attendees and Americans where they are and reminding them that the Navy's story is still being written by those who answer the call to serve.” The Army-Navy game kicks off at 3 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

From the Podcast Fleet

Sing Second Podcast featuring interviews with BlackSea Technologies' Jason Salata '94, Don Bouchard '86…and the reveal of the 2026 DGAs!

Army Week. Day Three. It's a marathon, not a sprint, people. We jump into Hump Day with Big News. We have four new Distinguished Grads. Congratulations to ADM Patrick Walsh '77, VADM Mark Fox '78, LtGen Dave Beydler '81 and CAPT Chris Cassidy '93. Pretty amazing group. We talk about it and debut the big news that DGA ceremonies will now take place in the fall on a football weekend instead of March. We also talk about the Pep Rally, the Holiday Market and the greatest thing that happened for Chris and John this Christmas - Orioles Opening Day tickets. Our feature interviews this week is Don Bouchard '86 and Jason Salata '94 from BlackSea Technologies. That's a lot. Hope you're up for a great listen. That and more on the very best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army...always.

Listen on

Government & Military News

The 2026 defense bill would give U.S. service members a 3.8% pay raise starting 1 January 2026. In addition, monthly Family Separation Allowance would increase from $250 to $300 for those away from loved ones for 30+ days. The bill also expands parental leave, letting active-duty, Guard and Reserve members take leave any time within two years of a child's birth or adoption. These changes reflect a commitment to improving pay, benefits and quality of life for service members and their families.

The U.S. Navy successfully recovered on 5 December 2025 the F/A-18F Super Hornet and MH-60R Seahawk aircraft lost during two separate incidents off USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The recovery effort was conducted by Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF 73); Task Force 75; the Naval Sea Systems Command's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV); and CTG 73.6's Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit. Both aircraft, lost on 26 October 2025, were located and retrieved from a depth of approximately 400 feet. The Navy employed a contracted Vessel of Opportunity, equipped with a government-owned, contractor-operated unmanned system, to lift and recover the aircraft.

Congress's proposed 2026 defense bill authorizes $900.6 billion and advances major priorities across the U.S. military. It funds Golden Dome, a new missile defense system designed to protect the nation with space-based sensors and interceptors capable of defeating ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles. The bill accelerates modernization with investments in next-generation aircraft, ships, submarines, destroyers and critical munitions, including support for the Navy's F/A-XX program and continued F-35 procurement for both sea services. These investments strengthen readiness and deterrence across the joint force while ensuring sailors and Marines remain equipped to meet emerging threats.

The seniors playing in this weekend's Army-Navy football game all know where they are headed after graduation. Navy's star quarterback, Blake Horvath, will be off to Naval flight school in Florida. His favorite receiver, Eli Heidenreich, will spend a year training as a Marine Corps ground officer. But a law working its way through Congress would tweak current rules for academy athletes to expand the opportunity among those players and their classmates to defer their service to chase careers in professional sports, from the National Football League to women's rugby. A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act would tweak a 2022 law on who can “go pro” from the three military service academies with NCAA Division I athletic programs — Army, Navy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Local, Education & other academy news

The world lost a true hero 7 August, when astronaut and space pioneer Jim Lovell passed away at age 97. The first person to fly in space four times, Lovell helped pave the way for the first Moon landing and came to epitomize NASA's can-do attitude. I had the honor and pleasure to interview Lovell three times during the latter half of the 2010s. Always gracious, humorous, and engaging, he became a good — dare I say it — friend. What follows is a remembrance, sprinkled with his reflections culled from our interviews.

25 years ago, the Coast Guard Academy Women's Rugby team was the idea of cadet Katie Simone('00). Now, in the year 2025, that team that Simone and her teammates created stand alone atop the Division II National College Rugby(NCR) podium as the National Champions for the first time in program history. "This win has been a long time coming for women's rugby at the Academy" said Bears head coach Sarah Price. "The women who started this team built an unshakable foundation that has supported all of us for the past 25 years."

Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore will welcome residents to Government House in Annapolis for a public holiday open house on Saturday, 13 December. The executive residence, located at 110 State Circle, will be open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The Moores say the event is an opportunity to thank Marylanders and mark the end of a challenging but productive year.

Midnight Madness is set to light up downtown Annapolis again this year, turning the first three Thursdays in December into some of the busiest and most festive shopping nights of the season. On 11 and 18 December, local shops and restaurants across downtown will stay open late, offering holiday deals, entertainment and a lively atmosphere that has made Annapolis Midnight Madness a favorite tradition for residents and visitors. Organized by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership, the annual three-night event is designed to support downtown's many locally owned businesses and encourage people to shop and dine close to home.

Will a young child from a broken home be allowed to remain with his siblings in foster care, or will they all be adopted by strangers one or two at a time? This is the uncertainty the author faces as he is put into the Iowa foster care system at age six. During his stay in foster care, on a farm in northeast Iowa, he witnesses the lives and uncertain future of dozens of other foster children passing through, some for a few weeks, others for years. These are short stories and events witnessed, or experienced, by the author during his sojourn on what becomes known as The Farm, true tales ranging from poignant to uplifting, humorous to tragic. Follow the stories as the author's journey comes to a rapid and unexpected conclusion. The author is Nick Holman '67.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Here's the list of the Command Patches being worn by each player for Saturday's Army/Navy Game.

Today's Matchups: No matchups

Navy leads 6-4-1 (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, Men's and Women's Swimming. 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

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 - 9:00 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

 

14 Feb - Commissioning 101, Fluegel

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

19-20 Feb - Service Academy Career Conference - Atlanta

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