23 Mar Daily Shipmate

Monday, 23 March 2026

1882 -The Office of Naval Intelligence is established.

 

1943 - The submarine Kingfish (SS-234), while operating in the waters near Formosa, undergoes an intense depth charge attack that damages the boat to such an extent that its crew destroys secret codes in preparation for abandoning ship. Damage to the sub's main piping causes an air bubble to rise to the surface, which confuses its attackers into thinking they have sunk it. Kingfish cuts short its patrol, is repaired, and conducts twelve war patrols during World War II.

 

1965 - In the first manned space mission of Project Gemini, Lieutenant Colonel Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, USAF, and Lieutenant Commander John W. Young complete three orbits of the earth before splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.

 

1987 - LT Robert Bianchi '83, USN was lost when HH-46 helicopter he was piloting crashed near Subic Bay, Philippines. Bobby was an All-American lacrosse player his junior and senior years in high school in New Jersey; he was named to the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Star Ledger named him the Lacrosse Player of the Century for New Jersey in 2003. He was an All-American at the Naval Academy, too, and was the team's captain. In January 1986 Bobby was assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 5 in Guam, and the week before his death was detailed to USNS Mercy's four-month humanitarian relief mission in the Philippines and South Pacific. Bobby was survived by parents and two brothers, one of whom, Kevin '85, was also killed in a helicopter crash. Bobby's page on Virtual Memorial Hall also includes over 44,000 words of his longtime girlfriend, and is perhaps the most searing and personal account of love and loss on the site.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The March/April Shipmate magazine is on its way, packed with stories, updates and features you won't want to miss. This issue's cover spotlights MIDN Isabella Baldwin '27 lining up a shot as Navy faced Army in February. She and the Navy Rifle Team secured a fifth consecutive N-Star, celebrated with the “N-Star 5” on the cover.

 

Remember: Digital-only subscribers get full access to the magazine up to two weeks before the print copies arrive. Click below to enjoy Shipmate online—delivered straight to your inbox ahead of the mail!

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last Friday to preserve the standalone status of the Army–Navy Game by preventing other college football games from airing at the same time. The directive instructs federal agencies to coordinate with the NCAA, College Football Playoff and broadcasters to create an exclusive broadcast window on the second Saturday in December. The move comes amid concerns that playoff expansion and additional postseason games could overlap with the historic matchup, which has traditionally been played without competition. The President argued that scheduling conflicts dilute national attention on the service academies and weaken the significance of one of college football's most enduring traditions.

Last Friday evening, sponsor families gathered in King Hall for a special Sponsor Family Dinner, sharing a meal alongside their Midshipmen and experiencing a glimpse of daily life at the U.S. Naval Academy. The evening provided a meaningful opportunity to connect, strengthen relationships and better understand the Midshipmen experience in a setting that felt both authentic and memorable. The Sponsor Program, established in August 1956, continues to foster these important connections between Midshipmen and the Annapolis community. Today, approximately 2,500 active sponsor families support the Brigade, offering Midshipmen a home away from home while gaining a deeper appreciation for Academy life through informal, personal exchanges. For those interested in learning more about the program, please reach out to Sponsor Director Rose Clark at [email protected].

Government & Military News

RADM Cassidy Norman relieved RADM Fred Goldhammer '93, USN, and assumed duties as Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 in a ceremony attended by strike group leadership and crew. During the ceremony, Goldhammer thanked the crew for their hard work, dedication and service to their country during his time as commander. “Today marks the end of my time in command of Carrier Strike Group 11, as well as the last time that I will be directly a part of the Navy's main battery and our nation's most potent strategic instrument, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier strike group,” said Goldhammer. “As I step aside today, I do so with immense pride - not in myself, but in all of you here and onboard all of our units.”

“Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello '99…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…The Navy is instituting a major change in the way it buys and builds ships and submarines. Two of the service's top acquisition officials, Jason Potter '04 and VADM Seiko Okano '94, will be here to fill us in.”

A federal judge blocked a Pentagon policy introduced under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that limited journalists' access, siding with The New York Times. The policy required reporters to accept new restrictions or risk losing credentials, prompting several outlets to push back. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled the policy violated constitutional protections, including free speech and due process, and amounted to viewpoint discrimination. The decision restores access for affected reporters for now. The Pentagon is expected to appeal, while press advocates say the ruling reinforces the importance of independent media access, especially during ongoing military operations.

Local, Education & other academy news

MIDN Maddie Koutavas '26 is from St. Johns, FL and selected Navy pilot as her service assignment. She is most proud of the relationships she has built with her company mates, squadmates, classmates, coaches, mentors, instructors and teammates. She takes great pride in being surrounded by exceptional peers and leaders and is a proud member of 30th Company and the Navy women's swimming and diving team. One of her favorite memories at the U.S. Naval Academy is the Army–Navy swim meet from the past year, which became a defining moment for her team after a hard fought loss during her 2/C year. Koutavas credits the A&SP Foundation program with having a profound impact on her life, as it provided her the opportunity to attend the Naval Academy and develop into the leader she is today. She works every day to honor the investment the Foundation made in her. Her advice to incoming plebes is to be a sponge and fully embrace everything USNA has to offer, from leadership and learning opportunities, to travel, service and building lifelong connections, remembering that four years go by quickly and that earning one's place is a daily commitment.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

USNA and AA&F Events

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