21 Jan Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

1915 - In the aftermath of a boiler explosion on board San Diego (Armored Cruiser No. 6), ENS Robert W. Cary calmly directs evacuation and damage control efforts, while Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad rescues two crewmembers from fire rooms. For their actions, both sailors receive the Medal of Honor.

 

1945 - Task Force 38 strikes targets on Formosa and in the Ryukyus. Kamikazes attack the carriers, damaging Ticonderoga (CV-14) and the destroyer Maddox (DD-731). In addition, an aerial bomb scores a hit on the light aircraft carrier Langley (CVL-27). Carrier planes sink 23 ships in the two-day operation. (21–22 January)

 

1968 - The Marine garrison at Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, is effectively cut off from ground reinforcements and surrounded by North Vietnamese troops. The ensuing siege is one of the epic engagements in the history of the Marine Corps. The Seabees of Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 301, Detail Bravo, play an instrumental role in the defense of Khe Sanh, which earns the unit the Presidential Unit Citation. Seabees are largely responsible for reopening land communication with the beleaguered base.

 

1972 - The prototype of the S-3 Viking, the Navy's first jet­powered antisubmarine warfare aircraft, makes its first flight.

 

1985 - LCDR David Carlson '76, USN was lost when his SH-2F Seasprite crashed into the Pacific Ocean southwest of San Diego, alongside USS Reid (FFG 30). He was raised in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where he was a left-handed pitcher for his high school baseball team. He also played at the Naval Academy. Have been unable to determine much above him after graduation, and we do not know who his surviving family members were.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Shipmate Magazine spotlights Geraghty, Clore for 50 Years of Women coverage

Shipmate Magazine's coverage of 50 Years of Women at the Naval Academy features CAPT Barb Geraghty '80, USN (Ret.), and Kathy (Slevin) Clore '80 recounting the frantic race to complete their applications during a groundbreaking moment in history. Their stories highlight the determination and resilience required to secure nominations and complete complex applications in an abbreviated timeframe. This story is featured in Shipmate Magazine's January-February issue. Do not want to wait for the physical copy to hit your mailbox? Opt in to digital Shipmate at the link below and receive your magazine in your inbox up to two weeks before it reaches mailboxes.

Mikie Sherrill '94, the four-term congresswoman and former Navy helicopter pilot who cast her November election in New Jersey as a victory over President Donald Trump's vision for the country, was inaugurated Tuesday as the state's 57th governor. Sherrill, 54, is just the second woman to lead the state of nearly 9.5 million people and is the first person from a major political party to be elected to a third straight term in more than six decades, succeeding two-term Democrat Phil Murphy. Sherrill is the first female veteran to become Governor of a U.S. State.

By day, Jason Kushy '21 forecasts weather for the U.S. Navy. By night, he's building an electronic dance music career that has landed him among the top fraction of artists on Spotify. The 27-year-old has amassed more than 43,000 monthly listeners on the streaming platform since releasing his first original track in June 2025 — all while serving as an active-duty naval meteorology and oceanography officer stationed in Monterey, California. “I think back to times when my parents were like, 'You need me to do what?'” Kushy said, recalling when he would haul speakers to backyard parties as a teenager. After signing with Direct Action Records, his Keep It Moving EP reached No. 18 on Beatport's Tech House chart. Kushy credits the discipline he gained at the Academy with helping him balance military duties and music production, and he hopes to eventually perform live at major venues while continuing both careers.

From the Podcast Fleet

Week 3 of 2026, and we are hitting our stride. Chris and John talk a little about their Live Sheehy Lexus pod with Bill Wagner, the coaches from NAAA and Longtime USNA and AA&F supporter Paul LaRochelle. We also chat about the official end to the College Football season (Congrats, Indiana) and how Navy will remain relevant in this landscape as a football program and as an institution. Our alumni interview is a special conversation about entrepreneurship. Rob Johnston '08 has a simple LinkedIn profile title - “Technology Entrepreneur.” But he's so much more than that. We discuss his origins at USNA, his time in the Marine Corps and how he made it big in the Cyber space. And we continue our interview series with our candidates in the Eastern and Central regions. Jen Tyll '01 is running in the Eastern region. Jeff Griffen '04 is running in the Central. Get to know them on the pod. That and more on America's best Alumni Association Podcast. Beat Army.

Listen on

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of 20 January 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

The Defense Health Agency updated military medical policy to require that patients be offered a chaperone for sensitive medical examinations and procedures. Under the revised guidance, clinicians must inform patients of their right to have a trained chaperone present and proactively offer one before exams of a sensitive nature. Chaperones are intended to act as neutral observers to enhance patient comfort, support privacy, and help protect both patients and health care personnel. The policy also outlines documentation requirements when a chaperone is offered or declines, and encourages efforts to accommodate patient preferences regarding chaperone availability.

Local, Education & other academy news

Check out the new Regional Elections Candidate Information page on usna.com

The AA&F was thrilled to debut dozens of changes, upgrades and modifications to usna.com when it re-launched in May 2025. Among those upgrades is a reflection of the professionalism of your AA&F Board of Trustees in the form of the new Regional Elections Candidate Information Page. Enhanced with high-resolution photos of the candidates, short podcast interviews with each candidate on the Sing Second Pod and an easy link to the online voting platform (going live 17 February), this resource is designed to ensure our members make informed choices for these vital leadership roles. Trustees help strengthen our alma mater and our alumni community by governing the business and affairs of the Association which includes providing oversight of existing alumni programs and services and strategic direction for Association leadership. Central and eastern region regular members will receive an email on 17 February 2026 from our third-party election service YES Elections with instructions to vote online. The election closes on 27 March 2026.

Revisiting a 1926 Naval Institute essay, find out how vital U.S. naval history and traditions were at risk of being lost due to scattered and inaccessible records. Early calls to preserve manuscripts, correspondence, and artifacts helped spark institutional efforts and led to the creation of organizations dedicated to safeguarding naval heritage. The narrative highlights the ongoing challenge of collecting and maintaining both official and personal historical materials, emphasizing that without deliberate preservation, important elements of the Navy's legacy could disappear. It ultimately stresses the need for sustained commitment to documenting and archiving naval history for future generations. This Proceedings article is written by CAPT BJ Armstrong. CAPT BJ Armstrong '99, USN is the Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, where he oversees the preservation and interpretation of Navy history. He shared his insights on the 2025 Army–Navy football uniforms as a guest on our second podcast, highlighting the traditions and stories behind their design. His expertise brings the Academy's history to life for both Midshipmen and the broader Navy community.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

The 2025 Navy football team finished the season ranked 23rd in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Poll. Navy fell one spot in the AP poll despite beating Cincinnati 35-13 in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It is only the fourth time since 1963 that Navy has ended the season ranked in the AP poll and the first time since 2019. The Mids climbed two spots in the Coaches Poll. The win over Cincinnati tied the school record (2019 and 2015) with 11 victories. It also gave Navy 21 victories over the last two seasons — the most in program history — and marked the first time the Mids have recorded back-to-back seasons with 10 or more wins.

Women's Basketball at Holy Cross - Worcester, Ma - 6:00 p.m.

Men's Basketball vs Holy Cross - Annapolis, Md - 7:00 p.m.

None

The Star Series schedule will return to the Daily Shipmate schedule 2 February as there are no Star matchups in January.

USNA and AA&F Events

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