Dec 15 Daily Shipmate

Monday, 15 December 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

1944 - LCDR John Erickson '38, USN was lost when his “VF(B) plane” — which seems to be a Hellcat fighter in an attack role — crashed during takeoff from USS Hancock (CV 19) while launching on a strike off the coast of the Philippines. John grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his father and in the home of his parents; his mother died just before his 7th birthday. He attended the fall term of the University of Nebraska prior to his admittance to the Naval Academy, where he rowed crew for four years. John was married on Friday, July 12, 1940; on Monday he reported for flight training. John's first tour aviation tour was with Bombing Squadron (VB) 42; his second, with Bombing Squadron (VB) 7, began in January 1944 when he became commanding officer. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for action on October 13, the Navy Cross for action on October 25, and then a second Distinguished Flying Cross on October 29. He was also posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit. He was survived by his wife, father, and two sisters.

 

Also during this time, Army troops land at Mindoro, Philippines, the men ashore and the ships of Task Group 78.3 under RADM Arthur D. Struble '15, USN, receiving air support from escort carriers. Kamikazes attack the invaders, damaging two tank landing ships to such an extent that they are scuttled, and damaging the escort carrier Marcus Island (CVE-77), two destroyers, and a motor torpedo boat.

 

1945 - FADM Chester W. Nimitz '05, USN, the leader of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, becomes the tenth Chief of Naval Operations.

 

1965 - In the first docking of two manned spacecraft in orbit Gemini VII, flown by CDR James A. Lovell, Jr. '52, USN, and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Borman, USAF, executes a rendezvous with Gemini VIII flown by Captain Walter M. Schirra, Jr., and Major Thomas P. Stafford '52, USAF.

Academy & Graduate happenings

An alumni-filled week that led to Singing Second on and off the field

Army Week was an electric celebration of tradition, connection and all the Navy pride you can muster. The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (USNA AA&F) was in the middle of it all from start to finish.

 

Thursday evening, the events kicked off with a donor-focused event at Under Armour that included a "Countdown-to-Kickoff" gathering. On Friday, a panel took place ahead of one of the rivalry's most iconic moments. USNA AA&F President and CEO Jeff Webb '95 was everywhere, connecting with donors, alumni and partners as excitement built toward game day.

 

Webb also joined his former company, 13th Company, for the legendary Army-Navy Ball Run, carrying the game ball from Annapolis to Baltimore, honoring a tradition that embodies the spirit of America's Game. That same day, the Patriot Games pitted U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Midshipmen and West Point Cadets head-to-head in a grueling competition that included tug-of-war, a pull-up challenge, zodiac obstacle relays and more.

 

Through all of Friday's events, time was taken to honor the fallen with reverence and gratitude at Wreaths Across America. More than 100 volunteers came to USNA's cemetery and columbarium to lay green wreaths with red bows on the final resting places of alumni heroes.

 

After a combined podcast recording at the Army-Navy Game's Radio Row with Anchors Aweigh, Navy Football and Sing Second featuring distinguished guests Navy Athletic Director Michael Kelly and USNA Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte '91, USMC, the team joined Jeff Webb for his CEO reception, sponsored by Bessemer, celebrating a great year with donors while preparing for Saturday's big day.

 

Game day brought President's Circle members and the wider alumni community together in Baltimore at the Beat Army Tailgate. Special thanks to Checkerspot for hosting this event. Alumni who couldn't make it to Baltimore or wanted to stay warm gathered at the Fluegel Alumni Center Beat Army watch party in Annapolis.

 

The week of festivities ended Saturday night the best way possible, singing second as Navy beat Army in the 126th Army-Navy Game and the Commander in Chief's Trophy stayed right where it belongs, in Annapolis.

 

Stay tuned this week as we recap last week's events with some of our favorite photo and video highlights.

Blake Horvath to Eli Heidenreich. That's the connection that led Navy to such a memorable season, and the two players came through again on the biggest play of the biggest game. Horvath threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Heidenreich on fourth-and-goal with 6:32 remaining, and No. 22 Navy rallied to beat Army 17-16 on Saturday. Heidenreich, the career and single-season leader in yards receiving for the Midshipmen, caught six of Horvath's seven completions Saturday. "Who wouldn't go to him?" Horvath said. "Talk about an all-time Navy legend. You're going to be talking about Eli Heidenreich for years and years and years."

Change is inevitable in college sports -- private equity, realignment, all of it. But in that landscape, Army–Navy's standalone Week 13 slot may no longer be guaranteed. Army and Navy administrators have held extremely early-stage discussions to map out what an expanded playoff might mean for the game's stand-alone space in the second week of December, sources told Sports Business Journal. Amid the talking heads littering Friday's Army-Navy Media day in the Baltimore Convention Center, Navy Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte '91, USMC, bounded from booth to booth eager to talk up Brian Newberry's 9-2 squad. When approached between hits to discuss the future of America's Game, the smile on the academy's first ever Marine superintendent grew wider than a Mid on the final day of plebe summer. “If you could have asked me one question, that would be it,” Borschulte told Sports Business Journal, tongue-in-cheek. “It is critical for our country, our nation, this should be the only game [in this slot].” Should the CFP field expand to 16 teams, first-round games could be moved up to the second weekend of December -- the same calendar spot that's been enjoyed by Army-Navy in a standalone window on CBS.

Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland is the Superintendent of West Point, and has led troops in some of the Army's most elite combat units, including the 1st Cavalry and 101st Airborne divisions, the 75th Ranger Regiment and Delta Force. Along with West Point's Gilland, we talked to LtGen Michael Borgschulte '91, USMC, the first Marine officer to hold the position of Superintendent at the Naval Academy. He is also one of the few to actually play in the Army-Navy football game, as a linebacker for the midshipmen from 1987 to 1990 before a career as a Marine attack helicopter pilot.

From the Podcast Fleet

The Anchors Aweigh, Navy Football and Sing Second podcasts teamed up for a live taping from Army-Navy Game "Radio Row" at the Baltimore Convention Center on Friday. We had a star-studded lineup of guests, including Navy athletic director Michael Kelly, Army athletic director Tom Theodorakis, American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti and Lieutenant General Michael Borgschulte, the Naval Academy superintendent.

Sing Second Pod LIVE from the AA&F Checkerspot Tailgate

We rang in the Army-Navy game with a special podcast from Checkerspot. We chat with alums, USNA staff and bring in Jeff Webb '95 at the end for some final thoughts on a great rivalry, a great game and an amazing tailgate for our alums. Colin Schofield does a little guest hosting in place of Bill Wagner. We made some predictions. Some came through (the under). Some didn't (Navy covering). But all that matters is that we had great conversations. A great game was played. And Navy Sang Second. Enjoy.

Listen on

Government & Military News

What to know about the U.S. military's role in Syria after deadly IS attack

The death of two U.S. service members and one American civilian in an attack in Syria by an alleged member of the Islamic State group has drawn new attention to the presence of American forces in the country. Saturday's attack was the first with fatalities since the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad a year ago. The United States has had troops on the ground in Syria for over a decade, with a stated mission of fighting IS. While not part of its official mission, the U.S. presence has also been seen as a means to hinder the flow of Iranian and Iran-backed fighters and weapons into Syria from neighboring Iraq. The number of U.S. troops in the country has fluctuated and currently stands at around 900.

Department of War releases 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing rates

The Department of War is releasing the 2026 basic allowance for housing rates today. The basic allowance for housing rates will increase by an average of 4.2 percent, and an estimated $29.9 billion will be paid to approximately one million service members. The new rates will take effect January 1, 2026. The Department collects rental housing cost data annually for 299 military housing areas in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. The basic allowance for housing rate-setting process relies on a wide variety of data sources to obtain high-quality, accurate, current-year housing cost data.

Eligible commissary shoppers near an additional 62 military commissaries will be able to have discounted groceries delivered to their doorstep within a month, the head of the company that is to provide the service told Military Times on Wednesday night. Defense Commissary Agency officials have awarded a contract for the delivery to OnPoint, a delivery service previously known as ChowCall, said Todd Waldemar, founder and CEO of the company. The 70 commissaries that are part of the contract include eight pilot locations that have been offering the delivery service since 2022. Waldemar said the remaining 62 stores will be offering the service by 11 January 2026.

Local, Education & other academy news

The U.S. Navy held a change of command ceremony for the U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Romania at Naval Support Facility Deveselu on 9 December 2025. During the ceremony, CDR Carleigh Gregory '08 relieved CDR Robert Foster '06 as commanding officer of the facility. Foster's command included continuous ballistic missile defence coverage for Europe and NATO during the Israel–Iran 12-Day War and across two named operations. In addition to operational responsibilities, Foster supported the subcommittee on the implementation of U.S.–Romania Bilateral Agreements and the annual High-Level Defense Group. He was commissioned through the United States Naval Academy and will take up his next assignment aboard USS John F. Kennedy. Gregory, a native of Virginia, earned her commission from the United States Naval Academy in 2008 and has served in a range of operational and staff roles.

Boat shows bring home $564,000 for Annapolis; 2026 shows scheduled

Annapolis Boat Shows has presented a check for $564,320 to the City of Annapolis, representing the municipality's share of ticket revenue from the 2025 Annapolis Powerboat and Sailboat Shows held at City Dock in October. This was the first yeat the AA&F acquired a tent for the boat show to host alumni, sponsors and friends. The payment reflects the long-standing partnership under which the City receives 50 percent of ticket sales after the 10 percent state admissions tax. City officials note that the annual boat shows are among Annapolis' most important economic drivers, drawing repeat visitors who often return outside of show dates to enjoy the harbor, historic district, and Chesapeake Bay. The Annapolis Boat Shows will return to City Dock in 2026 with three major events already on the calendar: the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show, 24-26 April; the Annapolis Powerboat Show, 8-11 October; and the Annapolis Sailboat Show, 15-18 October.

Do you really know what Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County actually does? Do you know how important tourism is to our economy? Today, we chat with CEO Kristen Pironis to talk all things travel and tourism. From a new center at BWI, assisting with workforce development, major events and even a Bay ferry system. We cover a lot of ground in 48 minutes and 33 seconds! Have a listen! **Kristen Pironis is the former Executive Director of Communication at the Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Women's Basketball v Christopher Newport University - W 82 - 47

Army - Navy Star Series: Navy leads 7-4-1 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, Football. Tie - Women's Soccer)

 

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

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

18 Dec - USNA December Graduation

 

2 Jan - Navy v Cincinnati - Liberty Bowl - 4:30 p.m.

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.

14 Jan - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. - Brudergarten - 5:00PM EST -

22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

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

24-26 Apr - Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show

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