9 Jan Daily Shipmate

Friday, 9 January 2026

1861 - The U.S. steamer Star of the West, carrying reinforcements destined for Fort Sumter, arrives off Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, and takes fire from Confederate forces at Fort Moultrie and Morris Island. This marks the first shots fired at a vessel flying the American flag during the Civil War.

 

1942 - Five German U-boats commence Operation Drumbeat off the East Coast of the United States, sinking 26 Allied ships over the next month.

 

1945 - Task Force 77, under ADM Thomas C. Kinkaid '08, USN, supported by naval gunfire and carrier aircraft, lands Army troops at Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. Kamikazes descend on the invasion force, hitting four ships, including the battleship Mississippi (BB-41). For days, suicide aircraft continue to plague the ships supporting the landings, which are also attacked by Japanese assault demolition boats.

 

1980 - LCDR Gaylord Parrett, Jr. '65, USN and ENS Dewayne Cousin '79, USN were lost when the TA-4J Skyhawk they were aboard crashed into the Pacific Ocean southwest of San Diego, California. Parrett was son of a 1944 USNA alumnus; following graduation he attended flight school and deployed twice to Vietnam. He was survived by his wife, son and parents. Cousin was a native of Lawton, Oklahoma, where he was an active member of the high school ROTC. It seems he was temporarily assigned to Composite Squadron (VC) 7 before starting flight training. He was survived by his mother, four brothers and eight sisters.

Academy & Graduate happenings

U.S. Naval Test Pilot School changes command. The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) changed command during a ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. where CDR Jacob King assumed leadership from CDR Travis Hartman '05, USN on 8 January Naval Test Wing Atlantic Commodore and Class 133 USNTPS alumnus CAPT Daniel Kitts '01, USN, presided over the ceremony. “Your leadership has left a lasting imprint on this command – one defined by integrity, steady judgment, and a genuine commitment to your people,” Kitts said of Hartman. “CDR King, you're stepping into a role that will challenge and inspire you in equal measure.” “Leading this command has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Hartman said. “Working with [King] has been fantastic, and I look forward to watching him guide USNTPS into its next chapter.” Hartman is originally from Missouri and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2005.

New year. New goals. New opportunities!

At SACC, service academy graduates gain face-to-face access to organizations actively seeking leaders with proven character, adaptability and mission-focused thinking. If career clarity and momentum are part of your goals for the year ahead, SACC is where preparation meets opportunity.

From the Podcast Fleet

We're back!! We hope you had the happiest of holiday seasons. But the holidays are over. Navy won another bowl game. Ho hum. January is here. The Pod team has re-formed and is ready to embrace the dark ages. Ease back into the second half of the pod season by enjoying a great conversation about entrepreneurship with Rob Ackerman '07. Rob is crushing it in the tech private sector and is now running Data Tribe. Data Tribe is a unique startup foundry that takes startup teams focused on Cyber Security and Data Science technologies out of Government Agencies, Defense, Technology Centers and Research Labs to co-build fast growing commercial technology companies solving complex business and Global enterprise problems. It's a great convo! And we preview some other pod specialties coming this year. And our January podcasts will feature short interviews with alums running for Board of Trustee positions with the Alumni Association in the East and Central regions. We chat with Devin Winklosky '93 (East) and Darryl Smith '88 (Central). Voting opens for the elections 17 Feb. That and more on America's best Alumni Association Podcast. Beat Army!

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Government & Military News

The U.S. Navy has introduced a new Combat Fitness Test for combat arms personnel — including SEALs, special warfare combat crewmen, explosive ordnance disposal sailors and fleet divers — as part of updated physical readiness standards. The policy, outlined on MyNavyHR, adds a second annual fitness assessment alongside the standard test and includes swims, weighted push-ups and pull-ups and a ruck-march run. The change reflects broader shifts in Navy fitness policy.

President Donald Trump has proposed an increase in U.S. defense spending, calling for a $1.5 trillion military budget in fiscal year 2027, up sharply from the $901 billion approved for 2026. The President says the surge is needed during “troubled and dangerous times” and claims tariff revenue will help fund it. The proposal would mark roughly a 50 % increase in defense outlays and will require Congressional approval to move forward.

State veterans cemeteries receive grants for improvement, expansion.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded more than $77 million in grants in fiscal year 2025 to 20 state veterans cemeteries for improvements, expansions and reimbursements, including funding for Alaska's first state cemetery in Fairbanks. These grants, administered by VA's National Cemetery Administration, support burial operations and construction of crypts or columbaria. In 2025, over 43,700 veterans and eligible family members were interred in VA grant‑funded cemeteries nationwide.

Local, Education & other academy news

The U.S. Department of Transportation has named RADM (select) Tony Ceraolo as superintendent and Dr. Johnathan Gajdos as provost of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), according to an announcement released this week. Ceraolo becomes the academy's 15th superintendent, while Gajdos will oversee academic programs as provost. Both appointments come as the federal government moves forward with planned infrastructure, technology, and academic upgrades at the Kings Point, N.Y., campus. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the leadership changes are intended to strengthen the academy's operations and educational mission.

On 6–7 March, the Navy Youth Hockey program is proud to sponsor 24 Hours of Hockey for Heroes, a national event uniting the hockey community in support of wounded warriors, veterans and first responders. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a nationwide movement, with NHL teams now sponsoring traveling hockey programs for wounded warriors across the country. Over 24 hours, teams skate, compete and fundraise to benefit a network of trusted nonprofit partners focused on healing, recovery and resilience. All proceeds are shared among these organizations to directly support those who have served. It's also a meaningful opportunity for USNA classes to come together and support a powerful cause — honoring heroes and making an impact beyond the rink.

Atlas Restaurant Group has entered into a partnership with the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis, acquiring majority ownership of the popular restaurant, according to an announcement Thursday. Atlas said the deal is intended to give the Boatyard access to the company's marketing reach, brand presence, bulk purchasing channels, and behind-the-scenes operational support. Boatyard founder Dick Franyo, who opened the restaurant in 2001, said the partnership is focused on long-term continuity and assured patrons that Atlas understands the Boatyard and there will be little change.

One of the biggest pop stars on the planet will be performing in southern Colorado in September. Grammy award winner Bruno Mars announced Thursday that “The Romantic Tour” will stop at Falcon Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy on 26 September.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Men's Squash at Vassar - W - 9-0

Men's Squash at Middlebury — Middlebury, Vt. — 5:00 p.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving vs. Delaware — Annapolis, Md. — 5:00 p.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving vs. Kenyon — Annapolis, Md. — 5:00 p.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving vs. Princeton — Annapolis, Md. — 5:00 p.m.

Men's Swimming & Diving vs. Delaware — Annapolis, Md. — 5:00 p.m.

Men's Swimming & Diving vs. Kenyon — Annapolis, Md. — 5:00 p.m.

Men's Swimming & Diving vs. Princeton — Annapolis, Md. — 5:00 p.m.

Men's Swimming & Diving vs. Delaware — Annapolis, Md. — 11:00 a.m.

Men's Swimming & Diving vs. Kenyon — Annapolis, Md. — 11:00 a.m.

Men's Swimming & Diving vs. Princeton — Annapolis, Md. — 11:00 a.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving vs. Delaware — Annapolis, Md. — 11:00 a.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving vs. Kenyon — Annapolis, Md. — 11:00 a.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving vs. Princeton — Annapolis, Md. — 11:00 a.m.

Men's Track & Field (Indoor) vs. Princeton — Annapolis, Md. — 11:00 a.m.

Men's Squash at Amherst — Amherst, Mass. — 2:00 p.m.

Men's Basketball vs. Lafayette — Annapolis, Md. — 2:00 p.m.

Women's Basketball at Lafayette — Easton, Pa. — 2:00 p.m.

Men's Gymnastics vs. Springfield College — Annapolis, Md. — 2:00 p.m.

Women's Track & Field (Indoor) vs. Princeton — Annapolis, Md. — 2:30 p.m.

Men's Squash at Williams — Williamstown, Mass. — 12:00 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

Scott Melamed, owner-operator of ProMD Health, is a longtime supporter of the Naval Academy and Navy Athletics who deeply values service and community. The son of two NYPD officers who responded on 9/11, Scott grew up with a strong appreciation for those who serve and brings that commitment into both his philanthropic support of USNA and the Brigade and the care he provides his patients. ProMD Health is a physician-led medical aesthetics and wellness practice proudly based in Maryland, helping people look and feel their best at every stage of life through personalized services including injectables, skin rejuvenation, hormone optimization, weight loss injections, and peptide therapy. This January, new patients can take advantage of special wellness promotions and exclusive savings.