15 Apr Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic ‘11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It’s a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic ‘11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.

Photo above: RADM Erin Acosta ’00, USN, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, is joined by the Honorable Tate Reeves, Governor of Mississippi, Dr. Richard Crout, Associate Superintendent at the Naval Research Laboratory and Christine Powell, Director of NASA's Stennis Space Center, to cut the commemorative cake for the 50th Anniversary of Navy on Stennis ceremony on 7 April 2026. Naval Oceanography is a global force of approximately 2,900 military and civilian personnel. These dedicated professionals collect, process and exploit environmental information from the seabed to the stars, enabling the Fleet and Joint Force to operate with confidence and precision across all domains - from the seabed to the stars.

1962 - Marine Corps operational involvement in the Vietnam War began on Palm Sunday when HMM-362 with its Sikorsky UH-34s arrived at Soc Trang in the Delta south of Saigon. The task unit was called "Shufly" and its first operational employment involved lifting Vietnamese troops into battle.

 

1965 - In the first air strike of the Vietnam War involving all services, carrier-based aircraft from Midway (CVA-41) and Coral Sea (CV-43) join aircraft from the Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force in attacking Viet Cong positions in South Vietnam.

 

1986 - Ten days after Libyan-sponsored terrorists bomb a West Berlin discotheque, killing 2 people and injuring 229 others, including 78 Americans, U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft execute Operation El Dorado Canyon. Naval assets committed to strikes against terrorist targets in Libya include aircraft from the carriers America (CVA-66) and Saratoga (CV-60), which hit the Jumahiriya Military Barracks and Benina Military Airfield.

 

1987 - ENS Gregory McMichael ’86, USN was lost when the T-34C he was piloting crashed during his “safe-for-solo” flight check near Chumuckla, Florida; His instructor was also killed. Greg was a regimental commander as a midshipman and remembered as a “big glad bear of a man.” “He carried himself with calm dignity and good humor, and while he wasn’t an academic genius per se, he had an innate sense of intelligence that surpassed even the smartest students [at NAPS].” The only thing he was apparently NOT good at was swimming: “Greg swam like a helicopter flies – by beating the water into submission. But, like everything else in his life, he overcame that, too.” He was survived by three brothers and a younger 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

RADM Erin E. O. Acosta ’00, USN, a native of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 2000 through the U.S. Naval Academy, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical oceanography. She later earned a Master of Science degree in meteorology and physical oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School. At sea, Acosta served four years, including as first lieutenant aboard USS Decatur (DDG 73) and as staff oceanographer, scheduler and staff navigator for Carrier Strike Group 2 embarked aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77).

Help recognize the alumni who exemplify leadership, service and achievement. USNA Alumni Association members are invited to nominate fellow members for the 2026 Thriving As Leaders (TAL) Awards by 1 July 2026. Honorees will be announced this October.

 

TAL awards celebrate alumni who advance the mission to “thrive as leaders in and out of uniform” through professional achievement, athletic excellence, or volunteer leadership and service.

 

Awards include Alumni Outstanding Achievement (athletic or non athletic) and Volunteer Leadership and Service. Nominations must come from fellow members.

Questions? Contact the Legacy Programs team by emailing Wes Huey ’87 or by calling 410 295 4023.

Emerging Prairie, an organization committed to energizing communities through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology, proudly announces the appointment of ADM Stuart Munsch ’85, USN (Ret.) to its Board of Directors. Munsch, a native of Oakes, North Dakota, recently returned to his home state following a distinguished career in the United States Navy. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and a White House Fellow serving at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Munsch brings decades of leadership experience at our nation’s highest levels of strategy, operations and global collaboration. He is the fifth North Dakotan ever to achieve the rank of four stars in the U.S. Armed Forces. He has been engaged with Emerging Prairie for more than a decade, contributing as a two-time TEDxFargo speaker, a speaker at Drone Focus and a frequent participant in the organization’s community and entrepreneurial programming.

On behalf of the English Department and the HUM/SS Heflin Prize Committee, it is our great pleasure to announce that MIDN 1/C Keegan Day ’26 (English) has been selected to receive the Heflin Prize this year! The nominated midshipmen were all very impressive, and MIDN 1/C Joel Thomas ’26 (Cyber Operations) has been selected as the Honorable Mention. The Wilson L. Heflin Prize for Leadership in the Humanities was established in 1984 to honor Professor Heflin, a noted Melville scholar and member of the faculty for forty years. The prize is awarded annually to the midshipman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering humane studies at the Naval Academy during the preceding year. Keegan was nominated by RADM James McNeal ’86, SC, USN (Ret.).

The Survivor Advocacy Network (SAN) invites you to join an upcoming Trauma Survivor Webinar focused on understanding how Military Sexual Trauma (MST) impacts relationships—and how healing can restore purpose, trust and meaningful connection.

This interactive session will combine brief insight, guided reflection and open dialogue to explore the ways trauma shapes trust, identity and connection, while also supporting resilience and deeper relationships.

Our speaker, Sarah Larrabee, MS (USCGA ’99), is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Board Certified Coach, and former U.S. Coast Guard Officer.

 

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

Government & Military News

The United States imposed a sweeping maritime blockade on Iranian ports, halting all ship traffic during its first 24 hours, according to U.S. Central Command. More than 10,000 U.S. troops, over a dozen warships and extensive air and surveillance assets are enforcing the operation, which applies to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. The blockade follows President Donald Trump’s order to restrict access through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route. CENTCOM said vessels not bound for Iran may continue transit. Analysts warn the blockade could strain the fragile ceasefire with Iran, risk retaliation and disrupt global energy markets.

A Pentagon-ordered review on the effectiveness of women in combat is now under new management, Military Times has learned. The six-month independent review, commissioned by Undersecretary of Defense Anthony Tata in December, was originally set to be performed by the Institute for Defense Analyses, a Washington, D.C.-area nonprofit that administers three research centers supported by federal funding. The effectiveness study, according to a Pentagon official, was set to kick off with the 10-year anniversary of Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s lifting of the ban on women in ground combat roles at the end of 2015. This review, the official told Military Times on Monday, is “in line with standard [Department of War] practice for evaluating the effects of significant policy changes.”

Navy announces commissioning date and location for the future USS Cleveland (LCS 31)

The U.S. Navy will commission the future Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Cleveland (LCS 31) on 16 May 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. The commissioning marks the completion of the final Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship construction phase, a sustained acquisition effort between the Navy and industry partners for two decades. The sponsor of LCS 31 is Robyn Modly, the wife of former Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly ’83. In keeping with Navy tradition, Modly will give the order during the ceremony to “man our ship and bring her to life!” At that moment, the commissioning pennant will be hoisted, and USS Cleveland will officially enter the fleet.

Local, Education & other academy news

The Navy League, Annapolis Council invites you to join us at the N* Room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis on Wednesday, 13 May 2026 for dinner and to meet Naval Academy Head Football Coach Brian Newberry. Newberry will speak about the future of Navy football.

 

Event details:

RSVP due: Midnight, Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Email the Treasurer at [email protected]

 

NLUS-Annapolis Council
PO Box 6086
Annapolis, MD 21401

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Rising junior snipe Charles Robinson was named the 2026 Admiral Mack Award winner by Navy head football coach Brian Newberry on Monday afternoon. The Admiral Mack Award is presented to the most improved player during spring drills, as voted on by the coaching staff. The Vice Admiral William P. Mack Award was initiated in 1976 and is named in honor of VADM William P. Mack ‘37, USN (Ret.) the Naval Academy superintendent from 1972-75, who was a strong supporter of the school's intercollegiate athletic program. Robinson, who came to Navy as a quarterback and moved to snipe after his freshman year, had a standout spring after playing in 13 games in the fall. Robinson carried the ball 10 times for 33 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards during Navy's 11-2 season.

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).

 

USNA and AA&F Events

USNA AA&F resources & Links

Login to MyUSNA | Daily Shipmate Archives | USNA AA&F Obituaries