7 Jan Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 7 January 2026

1841 - Missouri, a side-wheel frigate, is launched at the New York Navy Yard. One of the U.S. Navy's first true steam warships, it is soon joined by the side-wheel steamers Mississippi and Union, the latter equipped with the Hunter Wheel, a conventional paddle wheel drum placed horizontally within the hull below the waterline. Reflecting the period of transition, all three ships retained masts and rigging for sails.

 

1862 - As Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote labors to outfit gunboats for service on the western rivers, Lieutenant Samuel L. Phelps, in command of the gunboat Conestoga, leads an expedition up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers during which he reconnoiters the area around Forts Henry and Donelson. Ten days later the gunboat Lexington joins Conestoga in an expedition to gather further intelligence, which serves Union forces in their assault against the Confederate Stronghold five weeks later.

 

1945 - RADM Theodore Chandler '15, USN died of wounds he received the day before when a Japanese kamikaze aircraft struck his flagship, USS Louisville (CA 28) in Lingayen Gulf. His long and distinguished naval career included command of a destroyer and the cruiser USS Omaha (CL 4). While commanding Omaha in November 1941, he came across a German blockade runner whose crew attempted to scuttle the ship. Ted's crew boarded the ship and salvaged it; this was the last time American sailors ever received prize money. He remained in command until April 1943. In May 1944 he was promoted to rear admiral and assigned to command of Cruiser Division 2, which participated in the invasion of southern France. He then took command of Battleship Division 2 in the Pacific, and helped repulse the Japanese 2nd Striking Force in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. In December 1944 he took command of Cruiser Division 4. During the attack that caused his fatal injuries, though horribly burned he helped deploy fire hoses alongside the crew. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and the Army Distinguished Service Medal; he had previously been awarded the Silver Star and twice awarded the Legion of Merit. Two ships were named for Ted. He was survived by his wife and daughter. His son-in-law, LTJG John Green '42, USN, was killed in action in the Mediterranean Sea in 1943.

Academy & Graduate happenings

For 50 years, women at the Naval Academy have shaped what it means to serve — honoring traditions while breaking barriers once thought impossible. As we journey from the Class of 2025 back to 1980, we celebrate a legacy built one challenge, one triumph, and one trailblazer at a time.

 

We begin with the Class of 2025 — Morior Invictus “I die undefeated.” Defined by resilience and transformation, they entered the Yard during a time of change, trained under the first female Superintendent, VADM Yvette Davids, and witnessed new opportunities for women in Nuclear Power. With 29.3% women, they strengthened a culture of inclusion and excellence.

 

Their four years were marked by grit and growth: Marines leading Plebe Summer, the first Youngster Shellback, Navy–Notre Dame in Ireland, honoring President Jimmy Carter, a 10–3 football season, a return to 36 companies, and standout achievements in academics and athletics. From record-breaking women's swim and historic Women's Hockey Nationals runs to Boston Marathon finishers and national champions, the Class of 2025 leaves the Yard stronger than they found it. Login to myUSNA.com and read more about the Class of 2025's impact. Up next: the Class of 2024.

These flagship experiences provide high school students with an unparalleled opportunity to explore academic rigor, leadership development and life at the Academy. Designed for rising high school seniors, this one-week program offers students a firsthand look at the academic, physical and professional training that prepares the nation's future leaders.

Applications open for summer STEM program

The Summer STEM Program engages rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students in hands-on math and science instruction led by U.S. Naval Academy faculty and supported by Midshipmen mentors.

From the Podcast Fleet

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As we kick off a new year, we're starting 2026 by shining a light on the businesses that support and strengthen the Navy and Marine Corps community. Have a business of your own? Work for a company that wants to connect with alumni around the world? We'd love to hear from you.

 

Daily Shipmate and our Fleet of Podcasts reach a highly engaged, global audience every single day. Sponsoring these platforms is a meaningful way to support Navy programs, build brand awareness, and connect with a trusted and loyal community.

 

Whether you're an alum-owned business, a company that gives back, or serving folks in D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis — or anywhere — now's the perfect time to start something new with the Navy network.

 

Send us a note and let's make 2026 a year of great partnerships.

Government & Military News

The Pentagon is conducting a six-month review of women serving in infantry and other ground combat roles, nearly a decade after restrictions were lifted. Undersecretary of Defense Anthony Tata directed the Army and Marine Corps to submit data on readiness, training, performance, casualties, and command climate to the Institute for Defense Analyses. The goal is to assess how integration has worked while ensuring combat standards remain elite, uniform, and sex-neutral. Women continue to make up a small portion of combat roles, and the review comes amid ongoing debates over maintaining high, gender-neutral physical requirements for all service members.

A Marine Corps Reserve member, Mgst Joseph B. Stoker, became the first Marine to be redesignated from master sergeant to first sergeant under a new E-8 pilot program that allows qualified master sergeants to shift into the first sergeant track, giving them greater leadership responsibility and more control over their career path. The change reflects a broader Marine Corps effort to improve talent management by better aligning experience with leadership needs, a shift that is relevant for officers who serve alongside, advise, or lead senior enlisted Marines and will increasingly operate in a force that emphasizes career flexibility, adaptive leadership and more dynamic personnel pathways.

CDR Joseph Phillips turned over as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) with CDR William Burke '08 during a change of command ceremony held on Pier 1 at Naval Station Rota, 1 January 2026. Burke is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, class of 2008. He takes command after serving USS PAUL IGNATIUS (DDG 117) as Executive Officer from 2024-2025. “I am honored to take command of USS Paul Ignatius and join a team of Sailors whose professionalism, discipline, and commitment to mission excellence set the standard for our Navy. Together, we will remain ready, lethal, and trusted—strengthening our alliances from Rota and ensuring maritime security wherever our nation calls.”

Local, Education & other academy news

CDR Burke a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and earned a master's degree in Leadership, Education, and Development from the University of Maryland. A Surface Warfare Officer, CDR Burke's shipboard assignments include USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75) as Strike Officer and later Fire Control Officer, USS DEWEY (DDG 105) as Operations Officer and later Combat Systems Officer, and USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6) as Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer. During his time in command, DEVASTATOR earned the Battle “E” in 2021. His most recent shipboard assignment was aboard USS PAUL IGNATIUS (DDG 117) as Executive Officer.

The 1st Annual USNA Alumni Travel Showcase will be held at the Fluegel Alumni Center on 13 March 2026! This event will unveil the full 2027 travel schedule, give you the chance to meet tour operators in person and unlock special early booking discounts. Enjoy door prizes, travel inspiration and insider details to help plan your next adventure. Registration opens in early 2026 so stay connected with us here in Daily Shipmate once registration opens. Check out travel opportunities you can take this year at the link below.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Navy men's soccer welcomes William Chiles as an assistant coach. A former standout goalkeeper and Maryland native, Chiles brings 14 years of collegiate coaching experience, including at South Florida, George Mason, and Towson. He looks forward to mentoring Navy's goalkeepers and contributing to a program known for excellence on and off the field.

Navy senior quarterback Blake Horvath and sophomore guard Sean Crowley have been named Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators. Horvath was also selected to advance to the next round of voting and is eligible for Academic All-American honors.Horvath carries a 3.72 grade point average in operations research. He has earned all A's in each of his last two semesters. Horvath also ranks in the Top 100 in his class in military order of merit. Crowley has a 3.72 grade point average while majoring in cyber operations.

Women's Basketball at Bucknell — Lewisburg, Pa. — 6 p.m.
Men's Basketball vs Bucknell — Annapolis, Md. — 7 p.m.

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USNA and AA&F Events

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.