27 Mar Daily Shipmate

Friday, 27 March 2026

Sailors from the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard and the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band, and soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Detachment conduct full military funeral honors with escort for U.S. Navy CAPT Walter Flowers '55, USN (Ret.) in Section 68 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, 10 March 2026. At age seven, Flowers lived at Pearl Harbor where his father, Hulbert Ellis, was stationed as a Senior Chief Yeoman with the U.S. Navy. On 7 December 1942, Flowers witnessed Japanese planes flying over his house as he returned home from school, some flying so low he said he could see the pilots clearly in their cockpits. These planes were part of the surprise military strike by the Empire of Japan on the U.S. Pacific Fleet naval base, an attack which prompted the U.S. to declare war on Japan and officially enter World War II the following day. Flowers and his family were luckily able to book passage on the first ship out of Hawaii to San Francisco, avoiding the worst of the attack. 13 years later in 1955, Flowers attended and graduated from the Naval Academy. He went on to serve for over 27 years in the U.S. Navy during which time he worked as an Electric Engineer on Naval Communications systems and served in the Vietnam War.

1953 - In action with an enemy force in Korea, Hospital Corpsman Third Class William R. Charette performs numerous acts of courage—throwing himself on the body of a wounded Marine to shield him from the blast of an enemy grenade that lands a few feet away; removing his own protective vest and giving it to another wounded Marine; and exposing himself to enemy fire by standing up in a trench in order to better treat a leg wound suffered by another man. For his actions, Charette receives the Medal of Honor.

 

1967 - LCDR Alexander Palenscar, III '63, USN was killed in action when the A-4C Skyhawk he was piloting was shot down near Vinh, North Vietnam. “Doc” - he had a very good Bugs Bunny impression - was son of an Air Force officer and lived at various stations around the world while growing up. He married shortly after graduating from the Naval Academy, and together he and his wife had two children. In late 1966, Palenscar was assigned to Attack Squadron (VA) 112 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63). They arrived off the coast of Vietnam on 5 December 1966. He was carried as missing in action until 1973; in 1996 his remains were recovered and in November 2002 they were identified. Palenscar was buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery in 2004.

 

2020 - In response to hospitals becoming overwhelmed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Donald J. Trump ordered the Navy to deploy two hospital ships, one to New York City and another to Los Angeles. USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) deployed to Los Angeles on 27 March to treat non-infected patients, while USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) deployed to New York City on 30 March to treat COVID-19-infected patients. (27 March–5 May)

Academy & Graduate happenings

Covington resident LCDR Richard Moore '59, USN (Ret.) first became fascinated with Latin as a young altar boy. Now, decades after those days spent listening to Latin prayers and chants during Mass, he has authored a textbook meant to help priests improve their pronunciation and understanding of the language. “It is important for anyone studying to become a priest that they understand what they are reading and saying, and to pronounce the words properly,” said Moore, who will be 90 in October. Moore took four years of Latin during high school in his native Denver. And by then, he had already developed a love and aptitude for the language that serves as the basis for so many others, including French, Spanish, Italian and English. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and had a 20-year career in active duty, then received a master's degree in petroleum management and enjoyed a career in the petroleum engineering industry.

Voting closes today, 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.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has appointed CAPT D. Michael Crites '70, USN (Ret.) as chair of the state's new Ohio Election Integrity Commission. Crites, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Vietnam veteran and retired Navy captain, will assume the role after an interim period led by former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell. The commission replaces the previous Ohio Elections Commission and is designed to strengthen oversight and enforcement of campaign finance laws. State leaders say the new structure aims to improve efficiency, restore public confidence and ensure stronger accountability in Ohio's election system.

Government & Military News

The U.S. Navy has launched a new unmanned surface vessel (USV) program aligned with its broader “Golden Fleet” vision, while canceling its previous effort. The new Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel Family of Systems aims to accelerate development by creating a flexible, ongoing marketplace for mission-ready, modular vessels. Unlike the earlier Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) program, which focused on a narrower mission set, this new approach supports a wider range of operations using containerized payloads that can be rapidly deployed worldwide. Navy leaders emphasize that unmanned systems will play a critical role in future maritime strategy, expanding capability, adaptability and Fleet reach.

Sailor injured during flight operations aboard carrier USS Abraham Lincoln

A U.S. sailor was injured during flight operations aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln while the carrier was operating in the Arabian Sea on 25 March 2026. The Navy confirmed the injury was non-combat-related and not life-threatening, and the sailor was transported ashore for additional medical care, where they remain in stable condition. The exact circumstances of the incident are still under investigation. Despite the mishap, the carrier strike group continues its mission in support of Operation Epic Fury, as part of ongoing U.S. military operations in the region amid heightened tensions with Iran.

The U.S. Navy is facing a growing shortfall in its attack submarine fleet as older boats are retiring faster than new ones can be built. Production of newer Virginia-class submarines has slowed due to workforce shortages, supply chain issues and shipyard constraints, averaging just over one boat per year. Meanwhile, aging Los Angeles-class submarines continue to decommission on schedule, widening the gap. The fleet could drop to around 46 submarines by 2030—well below the Navy's requirement of 66—before gradually recovering in the following decades, raising concerns about readiness and undersea dominance.

Local, Education & other academy news

Maj Steve Ivory '87, USMC (Ret.) has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Southern Crescent Technical College, representing Fayette County. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and retired U.S. Marine Corps major, Ivory brings a strong foundation of military leadership, corporate experience and community service to the role. He previously served as a corporate quality executive and remains active in Rotary leadership, demonstrating a continued commitment to mentorship and civic engagement. College leadership emphasized that Ivory's background aligns closely with their mission, particularly in workforce development and community partnerships, positioning him to help expand opportunities and impact across the region.

How do you welcome spring after one of the coldest winters in decades? In the Chesapeake Bay town of Annapolis, by burning your socks. This annual festival, which draws hundreds, is held in the city's Eastport neighborhood and timed to coincide with the spring equinox. It's a potent blend of smelly socks, alcohol, music, piles of oysters and more than a hint of pyromania. "I like to watch the socks burn, something about that," acknowledges Mary Keller, a lifelong Annapolis resident. For nearly 50 years, the Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning has marked the long-awaited return of warmer days to the East Coast boating hub — and time for sailing season to begin again.

This Trauma Survivor Webinar will take place on Tuesday, 19 May from 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET. The event is open to all women officers and officer veterans who attended a service academy (regardless of graduation status) or who participated in any commissioning program (regardless of completion status) who have experienced sexual assault or unwanted/ negative sexual experience(s).

 

This is an interactive session combining brief insight, guided reflection and dialogue to explore how trauma impacts relationships and supports resilience and deeper connection. In this session our speaker, Sarah Larrabee MS (USCGA '99), will help us understand how trauma shapes trust, identity and connection—and how healing restores purpose and meaningful relationships. Larrabee is trained as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and speaker who specializes in post-traumatic growth and relational healing. She is also a Board Certified Coach and a former U. S. Coast Guard Officer.

 

QUESTIONS? Email Kristen Vance at [email protected] or Stefanie Goebel at [email protected].

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The Survivor Advocacy Network (SAN) is a committee of USNA Women which is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is a NON-FEDERAL ENTITY for USNA alumnae and all those who support its mission. USNA Women IS NOT A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS. As such, recently released Federal Executive Orders do not apply to SAN Programs which serve active duty, veteran and military service academy/college survivors of sexual assault.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

The Navy Letterwinners Association newsletter highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen connections among former Naval Academy athletes and support current midshipmen. It features updates on alumni engagement opportunities, including upcoming events, Homecoming plans and sport-specific gatherings designed to bring teammates back together. The newsletter also emphasizes the Association's role in celebrating the legacy of Navy athletics while building a strong, supportive network for today's athletes.

 

Additionally, it promotes initiatives like the letter sweater replacement program and encourages alumni to stay involved through events, storytelling and mentorship—reinforcing a shared commitment to tradition, camaraderie and the continued success of Navy Athletics.

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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