25 Mar Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

1915 - The submarine F-4 (SS-23) goes down off Honolulu, Hawaii, with the loss of all 21 members of its crew. On 17 April, during salvage operations on the submarine, the lifeline and air hose of diver Chief Gunner's Mate William F. Loughman becomes entangled. Chief Gunner's Mate Frank W. Crilley dons a diving suit and enters the water, untangling the snarled lines and allowing his comrade to reach the surface. Crilley received the Medal of Honor for his heroism. F-4 is raised on 29 August 1915.

 

1968 - LT George Theroux '61, USN was lost when the aircraft he was piloting crashed near Plaster City, California. He and the other pilot aboard, who also died, were members of Aircraft Ferry Squadron (VRF) 32. George was from Providence, Rhode Island, and designated a naval aviator in October 1962. He had served as a flight instructor, aboard USS Providence (CL 82), and with Fighter Squadrons 101, 41, 121 and 161 before joining VRF-32 in February 1967. He had completed one combat tour off the coast of Vietnam as well. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and his parents.

 

1991 - In recognition of Medal of Honor recipients, Congress established 25 March 25 National Medal of Honor Day. First celebrated in 1991, 25 March was selected due to the first ever medal of honors being presented on that day in 1863 to six members of Andrews' Raiders during the Civil War. The Medal of Honor is the highest award in the military and is given to those who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Alum takes command of Carrier Air Wing 7 ahead of deployment on USS George H.W. Bush

Leadership of Carrier Air Wing 7 has transitioned as the unit prepares for deployment with Carrier Strike Group 10 (CSG 10). CAPT Matthew K. Lewis '02, USN relieved CAPT Martin N. Fentress, Jr., as Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, in an airborne change of command ceremony above the Naval Air Station Oceana airfield and the Striker Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 hangar on 19 March 2026. Lewis, the new commander of CVW-7, is a native of Cohasset, Massachusetts, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2002, and earned his “Wings of Gold” in Kingsville, Texas, in 2004.

A historic breakthrough reveals a late-2025 expedition led by Tim Taylor and The Lost 52 Project and uncovered four long-lost World War II shipwrecks—an extraordinary achievement in maritime archaeology and ocean exploration. Using cutting-edge underwater robotics and 4D photogrammetry, the team located and documented the submarine USS Bonefish (SS-223), destroyers USS Drexler (DD-741) and USS William D. Porter (DD-579), and the Japanese merchant vessel Konzan Maru, all resting undisturbed for more than 80 years. The discovery of Konzan Maruadds a powerful international dimension, honoring lives lost across nations while deepening our understanding of the Pacific theater during WWII.

 

USS Bonefish, commanded by alum CDR L.L. Edge '35, USN, completed seven war patrols before her loss in 1945 with 85 crew members, making her discovery especially poignant. USS Drexler, named for ENS Henry Clay Drexler '24, USN and commanded by CDR Ronald Lee Wilson '32, USN, was sunk during the Battle of Okinawa with the loss of 158 sailors. USS William D. Porter, commanded by CDR Charles M. Keyes '32, USN, was sunk following a kamikaze attack. Remarkably, her entire crew survived. Together, these discoveries not only honor extraordinary courage and sacrifice of our alumni, but also deliver long-awaited closure to families and preserve the legacy of those who served for generations to come.

Today is National Medal of Honor Day. The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for valor in combat, recognizing extraordinary courage and selfless service in the face of great danger. 73 USNA alumni are among the more than 3,521 recipients, each exemplifying the highest ideals of duty, leadership and sacrifice. Their heroism reminds us of the extraordinary courage it takes to defend freedom and protect others, and their legacy inspires generations of Naval Academy alumni and Americans alike.

 

The National Medal of Honor Museum is one place to honor their service, but there are many ways to pay tribute. Visit local memorials, participate in community service projects, support veterans organizations or simply take a moment to reflect and share the incredible stories of these heroes with others. Every act keeps their courage alive and ensures that those who did pay the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten. We thank all Medal of Honor recipients for their bravery, dedication and selfless service to our nation. They truly embody the act of service above self.

Government & Military News

The Department of Defense is empowering military families and others to help shape real quality‑of‑life improvements at the state level by asking for public input through 23 April on issues that matter most to service members and their families. The DoD wants ideas that can drive positive change in areas like childcare, spouse employment and license portability, education, special‑needs support, family leave, school stability, protections for victims of interpersonal violence and more — especially where state action can make a difference. This initiative will influence policy priorities that boost readiness and strengthen military communities nationwide.

The Pentagon is preparing to deploy about 3,000 troops from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, adding to the thousands of Marines already headed to the region to assist with operations in Iran. No decisions have been made for troops to enter the country, according to two defense officials, who confirmed the planned deployment. But the buildup of troops is a drastic escalation in the U.S.-Israel war against the Iranian regime and heightens the possibility that American servicemembers will go into Iran. The 82nd has a quick reaction force that can deploy around the world within 18 hours, but it is not clear if that division will head to the region. The troop increase comes a month into U.S. military airstrikes against Iranian military forces and infrastructure, and amid spiraling gas prices as Iranian officials block access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.

China has launched one of the most extensive ocean‑floor mapping campaigns across the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans, gathering detailed data on seabed terrain and waters crucial for submarine navigation and sonar performance. While this strengthens China's undersea capabilities, U.S. and allied forces continue to innovate, leveraging decades of experience, advanced technology, and cooperative intelligence to maintain strategic advantage. Experts note that awareness of these efforts allows the U.S. to anticipate challenges, adapt tactics, and reinforce undersea security. The race beneath the waves is intense, but vigilance, innovation, and alliances provide the U.S. with a path to stay ahead.

Local, Education & other academy news

Join guest speaker VADM James Downey, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for a live, interactive special edition discussion in the Navy Memorial's SITREP Speaker Series.

 

When: Tuesday, 7 April 2026

Time: 3:00 PM ET (LIVE)

Where: Livestream / Online Only

 

Downey will share insights on naval innovation, capability development and the critical work underway to strengthen and sustain the Fleet. This livestream event offers the opportunity to hear directly from Navy leadership and submit your questions in real time. You don't want to miss this opportunity.

Voting closes two days, Friday, 27 March, for the Central and Eastern Region members. All Central and Eastern region alumni are eligible to vote. Not sure where your specific region is located? Check out this map.

Your next mission could start in Washington, DC! If you're considering a new career path, your timing is perfect! Join us on 7 & 8 May for the DC SACC.

 

Take this unique opportunity to connect with organizations actively seeking the leadership, discipline, and experience that academy graduates bring to the table. You'll meet representatives from industry-leading companies, key universities, and service organizations to help you on your journey. Registration is open—secure your spot today at the link below. (Link)

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Less than a year after implementing a multibillion-dollar settlement designed to bring stability to college sports, the richest teams in football are blowing past the spending cap their schools agreed to follow, testing the strength of the thin tethers that keep all 138 Football Bowl Subdivision programs competing under the same tent. The deal, known as the House settlement, established a set of rules for paying players that was intended to prevent the top programs from spending at a pace that made it impossible for the 100-plus other schools to compete. But driven by a fear of falling behind their peers and a lack of faith that any rules can effectively be enforced in today's college sports world, those top programs have aggressively pursued loopholes to build rosters that are often worth double the money schools are allowed to share directly with their players.

Army - Navy Star Series: Navy has won the Star Series

Navy leads 13-5-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's Cross Country, Wrestling. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country, Sprint Football, Men's Rugby, Men's and Women's Swimming, Football, Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field, Rifle, Gymnastics, Men's and Women's Basketball. Tie - Women's Soccer).

 

 

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 - 2:30 p.m.

11 Apr - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis - 12:00 p.m.

18 Apr - M. Tennis - Annapolis - 1:00 p.m.

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