8 Apr Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 8 April 2026

Waterfront mornings, Main Street evenings and the Yard just steps away. Fair Winds offers a beautifully restored home in downtown- perfect for bringing the whole family back.

Proudly owned and operated by two USNA graduates. Plan your early summer stay at fairwindsdta.com.

Before his passing, CAPT James A. Lovell, Jr. ’52, USN (Ret.) left behind a personal message for the astronauts of Artemis II, as they embarked on day six of their historic journey toward the Moon.

 

Both a pioneer of human spaceflight and a USNA alum, Lovell addressed the crew from a place only a few humans have ever known. With his trademark warmth, humility and quiet confidence, he welcomed them with words that bridged generations of exploration: “Welcome to my neighborhood.”

 

It is a powerful moment that connects the legacy of Apollo with the future of Artemis, and a reminder that today’s great leaps are made possible by those who went first. As the Artemis II crew continues a mission that will shape the next chapter of space exploration, the Captain’s message stands as both a send-off and a passing of the torch.

 

Take a moment to watch the video and be sure to turn your volume up. This is a historic message from a legendary alumnus, accompanying a journey that will make history once again.

1865 - After repeated bombardment by Union naval forces, the Confederate garrisons of Spanish Fort and Fort Alexis surrender, thus opening the way for the capture of Mobile, Alabama, which surrenders on 12 April.

 

1950 - Soviet fighters shoot down an unarmed PB4Y-2 Privateer of Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 flying an electronic reconnaissance mission over the Baltic Sea. The aircraft’s 10-man crew is never accounted for and is presumed killed in action.

 

1963 - LTJG John Richardson ’60, USN was lost when his RF-8A Crusader crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Oran, Algeria. He was a member of Light Photographic Squadron (VFP) 62, operating from USS Saratoga (CV 60). “Rich, having spent his childhood in Georgia prior to making Michigan his home, was a northerner with a southern accent. He had the personality of the famed southern gentleman, a feature shown very well by the number of letters he received from girls from all parts of the country.” Rich was a prior enlisted Marine. He was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, brother, and sister. (The Alumni Association has lost contact with the family. If you know how to contact them please email [email protected].)

 

Content in “Today in Navy, Marine Corps and USNA Memorial Hall History” is generously provided by our partners and fellow alumni at the Naval History and Heritage Command and the Run to Honor SIG, which supplies the USNA Memorial Hall content. We are grateful for their partnership in preserving and sharing this history, and the Daily Shipmate is proud to serve as a distribution platform. You can learn more or provide feedback through their respective websites hyperlinked above.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Please mark your calendar and stop by and listen to a presentation in support of the USNA Trident Scholars! The Trident Scholar Program provides an opportunity for a select group of exceptionally capable midshipmen to engage in independent study and research during their senior year. Naval Academy faculty and other area specialists mentor the Trident Scholars helping them expand their knowledge and contribute to their fields of study. This year’s Trident Scholars explored the far reaches of the universe, the complexities of the human body and mind, the evolution of aerial warfare, the mysteries of laser light and the dynamics of the maritime environment, among other topics.

 

Date: Friday, 24 April 2026

Time: 7:45 a.m. -3:40 p.m. Presentations are typically 25 minutes long.

Location: Rickover 102.

 

Presentations will be livestreamed at the link below.

Government & Military News

USS John P. Murtha to support NASA's Artemis II mission

Amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) is slated to serve as the recovery ship for the Orion spacecraft and its crew upon their return from the historic Artemis II mission. The ship is named in honor of the late and long-serving Pennsylvania Congressman John P. Murtha. “It is a fitting tribute to Congressman Murtha, who dedicated his life to serving our nation, that the ship bearing his name will be integral to this historic moment in space exploration,” said CAPT Erik Kenny ’02, USN commanding officer of John P. Murtha. “He was a champion for our military and a visionary. We are honored to carry on his legacy by supporting NASA and the Artemis II mission.” The Artemis II mission is the first crewed flight of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, sending four astronauts on an approximately 10-day journey that will take them beyond the Moon. This mission will mark humanity's first crewed voyage to the vicinity of the Moon in over 50 years.

USS Anchorage conducts change of command ceremony

CAPT Matthew Ventimiglia ’00, USN was relieved by CAPT Christopher Petro as commanding officer of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23), during a change of command ceremony aboard the ship in San Diego, 3 April 2026. While in command, Ventimiglia led Anchorage through an extended maintenance period and various training events and was awarded the Legion of Merit for his superior accomplishments. He is currently scheduled to assume the role of commanding officer of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). A native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, Ventimiglia holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy. “It’s been quite an adventure and it’s not just about where you go, but how you get there,” Ventimiglia said. “We have come so far and will go so much further. We will do so because that’s what our nation and families demand of us.”

Junior enlisted service members would see the largest of a three-tiered pay raise for troops next year under the latest proposed budget from President Donald Trump’s administration. Troops at the lowest five enlisted ranks — E-5 and below — would receive a 7% increase in their basic pay, according to the White House. Service members between the ranks of E-6 and O-3, which includes senior noncommissioned officers, warrant officers and company grade officers, would receive a 6% raise; and all other commissioned officers would get a 5% raise. For an E-3 with up to three years of service, the raise would translate to an extra $180.90 per month for a total of $2,170.80 more in base pay annually.

The latest Pentagon budget request calls for massive purchase increases of two key missiles the Navy has relied on for the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and the U.S. conflict with the Houthis in the Red Sea. Specifically, the new Fiscal Year 2027 budget is seeking a 1,200 percent increase in the number of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and a 225 percent increase in Standard Missile 6s over what Congress appropriated money for in Fiscal Year 2026. The funding is split between a traditional budget request and reconciliation funding. Both of those weapons are primary munitions for the guided-missile destroyers that have been the backbone of the Navy’s current war effort in the Middle East.

Local, Education & other academy news

Apple SkillBridge Virtual Information Session: Military Academies

At Apple, our SkillBridge Fellowship Program offers transitioning service members a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a dynamic, corporate environment during their final 4-6 months of military service. Join our SkillBridge Virtual Information Session to learn about current fellowship opportunities, locations, and how to apply.

 

Hear directly from the Apple team, ask questions, and discover how an Apple SkillBridge fellowship can help launch the next chapter of your career.

 

Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET

Location: Online webinar

BlueMagnet is a private, invite-only network built for Naval Academy alumni across every stage of service and career. Whether you're building a Navy career, navigating command challenges, balancing family or preparing for a career move, BlueMagnet connects you directly to mentors, hiring managers and peers who understand the path. Our Founding Cohort is capped at 1,000 members, with priority for those 0–24 months from a transition or career change — the most active users who deliver immediate outcomes for mentors, members and sponsors.

Not within that window but want in? Join the waitlist and be first in line as we scale.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

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

Navy leads 14-6-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Rugby, Women’s Cross Country, Wrestling, Baseball. 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, Women's Tennis. Tie - Women’s Soccer).

 

 

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

USNA and AA&F Events

USNA AA&F resources & Links

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