13 Apr Daily Shipmate

Monday, 13 April 2026

1906 -Exactly two years after the tragic turret fire on board the battleship Missouri (Battleship No. 11), a similar accident occurs on board the battleship Kearsarge (Battleship No. 5) off Cape Cruz, Cuba, killing eight crewmen and seriously injuring four others. Seaman George Breeman and Chief Boatswain Isidor Nordstrom receive the Medal of Honor for their actions in the aftermath of the mishap.

 

1918 - Marines of the 4th Brigade suffered their first gas attack on the night and early morning hours of 12-13 April when the Germans bombarded the 74th Company, 6th Marines near Verdun with mustard gas. Nine Marine officers and 305 enlisted Marines were gassed and evacuated, and 30 Marines died from the effects of the gas shells which hit in the middle of the reserve area cantonments in which they were sleeping.

 

1960 - The Navy’s Transit 1B, the United States’ first navigational satellite, enters orbit after launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

 

1974 - CAPT Thomas Mitchell ’53, USN and LT Charles Jeffries, II ’67, USN were killed when their car was ambushed by a Philippine communist group while they toured the perimeter of the base at Subic Bay. Thomas was commanding officer of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment on Guam, and “Chuck” was officer in charge of the Seabee detail at Subic Bay. A third officer, Cmdr. Leland Dobler, was also killed; he was the commanding officer of the Seabee battalion at Okinawa. Thomas was a career engineering officer, and was the first CEC officer to graduate from the Advanced Nuclear Power Course; he was the first officer in charge of the nuclear power plant at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Thomas was survived by his wife, son, and daughter. Chuck was an all-State linesman from West Virginia – “a large, incredibly strong but gentle man, an unwavering Christian and a committed husband and father.” He was survived by his wife, son and daughter.

 

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

Annapolis, Md. (13 April 2026) – The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation's Athletic & Scholarship Programs (A&SP) transitioned to a new name - now the Naval Academy Athletic Foundation - at the organization's Spring Meeting held at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium 10 April.

 

 The Athletic Foundation arrived at the new name after months of thoughtful work by its internal branding committee, and with the support of the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA). The new name more clearly reflects the organization’s purpose of inspiring philanthropic support for the physical mission in direct service of leadership development through prep‑school scholarships and athletic excellence.

 

Rooted in the same mission, the new name reinforces the Naval Academy Athletic Foundation’s strength and momentum: to provide leadership, need‑based funding, guidance and mentoring to all Foundation Preparatory School students; to provide needed private funding in support of all USNA varsity, club and intramural sports teams through The Fund for Athletic Excellence; and to remain a highly respected organization in support of the Physical Mission of USNA.

 

Through the Athletic Foundation Trustees, support extends to exceptional coaches and facilities across all sports, including club and intramural programs, while also creating opportunities for young athletes who benefit from an additional year of academic preparation.

 

“All of this takes Navy athletics from good to great,” said Naval Academy Athletic Foundation Chairman ADM Bill Moran ’81, USN (Ret.). “With the largest field of Division I sports in the country, the Naval Academy Athletic Foundation touches each of them, helping elevate the overall Navy athletics experience. This success is made possible by the extraordinary contributions of our alumni and supporters, whose commitment allows us to build not just strong programs, but the best overall athletic program in the nation.”

 

Aligned with our “expect to win” mentality, near‑term investments will advance excellence on the field, in the classroom and beyond. Key priorities such as nutrition, medical and athletic training, and sports psychology will ensure Naval Academy athletes remain nationally competitive and mission‑focused on leadership development.

 

With unwavering dedication to the physical mission of USNA, the Naval Academy Athletic Foundation will continue to develop strength, resilience, and character to prepare the Midshipmen of today to become the leaders of the Fleet and Marine Corps tomorrow.

From the USNA Alumni Health and Wellness Committee — Get assistance filing for veterans benefits

"Save time, avoid frusteration: Filing to obtain the benefits you have earned as a veteran is more complicated than you would expect; especially if you want to be successful on the first pass. Our first recommendation to veterans considering filing for benefits is to utilize the services of county, state and nationwide veteran service officers when applying for veterans’ health care services or benefits or filing claims for service-connected disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These service officers can facilitate your claim through most government or third-party entities and processes.

 

Questions or Comments? Contact members of our USNA Alumni Health and Wellness Committee below.

From the Podcast Fleet

Welcome to the best Alumni Podcast in the business, people. Chris and John bring the goods this week with an exclusive conversation with ADM Bill Moran ’81, USN (Ret.) and Becky Haase ‘94 about the name change of the Athletic & Scholarship Programs (A&SP) to the Naval Academy Athletic Foundation. The Admiral and Becky open up about the conversations behind changing the name and take the time to talk in plain terms about the organization’s mission and real impact to the physical mission at USNA. The Athletic Foundation is all about leader development. Don’t miss this amazing conversation about that and many other hot topics around the physical mission. Chris and John also preview next week’s 50 Years of Women gala and the other happenings on the yard as the ac year starts wrapping up. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army. Always. (Link)

Listen on

Government & Military News

USS John P. Murtha returns to San Diego carrying Orion spacecraft

The USS John P. Murtha returned to Naval Base San Diego Saturday morning following a historic mission supporting NASA’s Artemis II program, bringing with it the Orion spacecraft after its successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Navy ship, named in honor of the late and long-serving Pennsylvania Congressman John P. Murtha, played a critical role in Friday’s Artemis II recovery operation, serving as the primary vessel tasked with retrieving the Orion capsule and its crew after reentry. “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.”

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Navy will immediately begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of U.S.–Iran talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Trump said U.S. forces will interdict ships entering or leaving the strait and intercept vessels that have paid tolls to Iran for passage. The administration also ordered efforts to destroy Iranian naval mines in the waterway, a critical global energy chokepoint. The decision escalates regional tensions and threatens a fragile ceasefire, with officials warning of economic and security consequences tied to disrupted oil shipments.

The record-breaking trip of the USS Gerald R. Ford

In mid-March, a fire tore through a compartment of the United States’ largest and most powerful aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. The ship was floating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, launching aircraft as part of the weeks-old war with Iran, when the blaze broke out in the laundry department. It took the crew 30 hours to put out the fire, clean it up and prevent it from reigniting, and roughly 600 sailors lost access to their bunks due to the damage. They also couldn’t do laundry, though fortunately no sailors were seriously injured. It was just the latest trial for the crew of Gerald R. Ford, which is slated, by one count, to break a record this week for the longest deployment for an aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War.

USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. commissions

The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was commissioned 11 April 2026, in Norfolk, Virginia, honoring Medal of Honor recipient Harvey C. Barnum Jr. for his heroism in Vietnam. The ship represents advanced naval capability and a tribute to leadership, sacrifice, and service. The ceremony marked its transition to active fleet operations following construction, testing, and delivery. Crew members and leaders highlighted the ship’s warfighting readiness and legacy. USNA alum and Barnum Jr.’s Executive Officer CDR Joseph R. Mills ’09, USN, joins the crew in leading DDG-124 into service and future global operations.

Local, Education & other academy news

Executive Officer of the newly commissioned USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. (DDG‑124), CDR Joseph R. Mills ’09, USN, is a native of Bay Shore, New York, and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He holds a master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. His sea tours include key leadership roles aboard USS Decatur, USS Stockdale, and USS Paul Hamilton. Ashore, he has served at Navy Personnel Command, as a flag aide and executive assistant to senior Navy leadership, and most recently as Branch Head in the Joint Staff J8. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.

From the time you graduate from USNA and commission into the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps, life moves fast—for you and for your classmates. Careers unfold, families grow and years pass before you realize how far everyone has gone. Alumni Look Up helps you reconnect along the way. Available on USNA.com, thee website for United States Naval Academy alumni, this powerful tool makes it easy to find fellow graduates, reconnect with shipmates and rebuild those lifelong connections. Log in to usna.com to see where your classmates are today and rediscover the network that has been part of your journey from the very beginning.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

The Navy men's rugby team (9-1) advanced to the quarterfinals of the Collegiate Rugby Association of America National Championship Playoffs with a 40-11 victory over Mary Washington (4-8) on Saturday afternoon at the Prusmack Rugby Center. "We were very dominant in the first half," said director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "Our penalty count in the second half went against us, and we failed to dominate the half the way we wanted to. There are plenty of things we're happy about and to be able to score 40 points in a playoff game, we're content with that." Navy will face rival Army in the quarterfinals next Saturday at the Prusmack Rugby Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be streamed on the Navy Athletics YouTube channel.

Yesterday's results:

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

Navy leads 16-8-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Rugby, Women’s Cross Country, Wrestling, Baseball, Women’s Track and Field, Men’s Lacrosse. 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, Men’s Track and Field, Women’s Lacrosse. Tie - Women’s Soccer).

 

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