17 Apr Daily Shipmate

Friday, 17 April 2026

Pictured above is the Great Class of '78 dining at their monthly ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) breakfast at the Double T Diner in Annapolis. The breakfast is held on the third Thursday of the month. Pictured left to right…John Cooke, Steve Petri, Fred Webster, Chris Jensen, Eddie Reid, Bob Schmermund, Vince Balderrama, Eddie Hubbard and Chip Jones

1865 - As authorities round up accomplices in the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln, the suspects are held on board the monitors Montauk and Saugus anchored off the Washington Navy Yard, DC. (17–25 April)

 

1961 - In a debacle that marks a foreign policy blow to the new administration of President John F. Kennedy, some 1,400 Cuban exiles trained by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) land at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba in an effort to overthrow the Communist government of Fidel Castro. The force is overwhelmed by the Cuban military. Six aircraft from the aircraft carrier Essex (CV-9) operating offshore are reluctantly committed to the operation to protect CIA propeller-driven B-26 Marauder bombers from attacking Cuban fighters. The CIA aircraft arrive over the target area before the covering jets do, and two B-26s are shot down. (17–20 April)

 

2022 - LTJG Aaron Fowler '18, USN died while participating in a training evolution with the Marine Corps at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kanehoe Bay. He was a member of EOD Mobile Unit One, based in San Diego. Aaron grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the third of four boys. While at the Naval Academy Aaron took two years off to complete a religious mission to North Africa; following graduation he earned his Masters from Georgetown. In addition to his brothers he was survived by his parents.

 

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

Yesterday, the USNA AA&F and their USNA Women Shared Interest Group (SIG) officially kicked off their 50 Years of Women celebration with a vibrant welcome reception at the Fluegel Alumni Center in Annapolis. Alumnae and alumni from around the world gathered to begin a historic weekend celebrating legacy, service and the enduring spirit of navy blue and gold. Last night's welcome reception set the tone for what promises to be a powerful and inspiring celebration all weekend.

 

Today, the 50 Years of Women Conference and Gala continues with distinguished speakers and meaningful conversations on topics that matter to alumni of every generation. Sessions will explore warfighting, women in sports, how the Naval Academy has shaped life journeys in and out of military service, health and healing across all phases of life, alumnae NASA astronauts and much more. With more than 800 people registered, this milestone event is a proud celebration of shared history and forward momentum honoring five decades of women whose impact continues to strengthen in and out of uniform.

"I am proud to represent the amazing Class of 1993 as the only female graduate staff member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation. I love working in the beautiful Fluegel Alumni Center and meeting alumni as they come in for reunions, receptions, and conferences, especially for this week's 50 Years of Women conference and gala. It is exciting to see how Naval Academy women graduates have contributed to our armed forces, businesses, and our country as leaders and citizens. I appreciate all of the women graduates who preceded me and led the way."

"U.S. Naval Academy graduates pose for a photo on the flight deck of amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) ahead of Artemis II recovery operations off the coast of Southern California, 9 April 2026. The graduates represent John P. Murtha, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 and NASA.

 

Pictured above: front row (left to right): LCDR Josh Gong ('16), LCDR Kristi (Fontenot) Johnson ('11), LT Erin (McCullagh) Wiley ('21), ENS Carolyn Kowalsafron ('24), LCDR Rich Morales ('15), LT Madison Pascale ('16), ENS Koko Antis ('24), CAPT Erik Kenny ('02), LT Joey Kendrick ('16), LCDR Angelo Lonero ('13), LT Julia Buckner ('20), CDR Brandon Alamo ('05), LCDR Sam Martinette ('11)

 

Back row (left to right): LT Jatin Khona ('21), LT Ben Nicholas ('20), LT Ariana Mckenzie ('21), LT Taylor Holland ('19), LTJG John Bodenman ('23), ENS Ryan Zhang ('25), LCDR Chris Leigh ('15), ENS Amanda Zanetti ('25), Mr. Justin Prendergast ('16), ENS James Hanson ('24), CDR Kevin Ringelstein ('07), LTJG Nick Kang ('23).

 

The Artemis II Integrity crew splashed down off the coast of San Diego, 10 April, concluding a historic 10-day mission that took four astronauts around the moon for the first time in over 50 years.

 

Amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), commanded by CAPT Erik Kenny '02, USN, served as the recovery vessel. Divers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 made first contact with the Integrity crew, opening the capsule door to conduct initial medical checks before rigging the capsule for transport.

 

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, commanded by CDR Kevin Ringelstein '07, USN, tracked the Orion capsule as it descended through the atmosphere before hoisting the astronauts from the 'front porch' into MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters and transporting them to John P. Murtha's flight deck.

 

The ship's well deck was used to recover the Orion crew module for transport back to Naval Base San Diego. The successful recovery operation marked a critical milestone for NASA's Artemis program as it prepares for future crewed missions to the lunar surface and beyond."

From the Podcast Fleet

Ingrid Boyum makes her debut as the Navy Women's Lacrosse Insider for the Anchors Aweigh podcast. Boyum is a former standout goalkeeper for Navy and has maintained close ties to the program since graduating in 2018. We discuss the epic victory over archrival Army in the Star game and the 2026 season as a whole. Also, head coach Chuck Ristano joins to provide an update on the Navy baseball season as Patriot League play winds down.

Government & Military News

Fire aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower injures 3 sailors

Three sailors were injured Tuesday by a fire aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Navy said Thursday. The Navy's second-oldest aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1977, is undergoing maintenance at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va. “On April 14, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower experienced a small fire that was immediately contained and extinguished by ship's force and Norfolk Naval Shipyard personnel, who responded swiftly as trained,” the Navy said in a statement. “Three sailors were treated by ship's medical and returned to full duty.” The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is making it easier for eligible Veterans to maximize use of their G.I. Bill education benefits in the wake of two recent court rulings. The rulings (Rudisill v. McDonough and Perkins v. Collins) potentially enable millions of Veterans to receive additional education benefits under both the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Veterans may be eligible under either court decision for an additional 12 months of benefits, up to a total of 48 months. VA is taking three steps to help Veterans in the wake of these rulings. Read about those steps at the link below.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, 82% of Veterans who used VA services—including health care, benefits, burials and memorials—reported that they trust VA to fulfill the nation's commitment to them. Additionally, trust in VA outpatient health care is also rising, with 93.6% of Veterans reporting they trust VA for their health care needs. The quarterly VA Trust survey measures the overall ease, effectiveness and emotional resonance experienced by Veterans. This quarter hit record highs:

 

77.3% of Veterans said it was easy to get the care or services they needed.

81.4% said they got the care or services they needed.

79.5% said they felt like a valued customer when interacting with VA.

 

In the last quarter, more than 4.8 million Veterans received VA health care, totaling more than 29 million clinical encounters including 19.2 million in-person appointments and 7.4 million telehealth or telephone appointments. 14.5 million calls were answered across VA contact centers. The Veterans Crisis Line received over 292,000 calls (Dial 988, then press 1) and 45,500 calls were made to the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans. Nearly 750,000 disability and pension claims, over 1 million education and supplemental claims, and about 170,900 home loan guarantees were processed.

 

Need support or want to explore VA benefits? Visit VA.gov, download the VA Welcome Kit at VA.gov/welcome-kit, or call 1‑800‑MyVA411 (800‑698‑2411) at any time, day or night.

Local, Education & other academy news

Matt Wallace '84 was named the Deputy Director for Flight Projects in April 2026. He previously served in a number of Laboratory positions, including most recently standing up JPL's Exploration Systems Office in support of NASA's Moon to Mars human and robotic exploration program. Before that, as Director for Planetary Science, where he oversaw formulation, development, and operations of JPL's fleet of planetary and Mars science missions. He has held Project Manager positions on the Psyche asteroid mission and the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover mission, where he led the effort from initial concept work through spacecraft launch and successful landing at Jezero Crater in February 2021. Matt graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with a bachelor's in systems engineering, and served in the U.S. Navy fast attack submarine fleet. He was recognized as an AA&F Thriving as Leaders Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award recipient in 2024.

Captain Dana C. Covey '73, Medical Corps, United States Navy (Ret.) MD, MSc, FAAOS, FAOA, was honored with the 2026 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Clinical Research Award for 30 years of study on how team preparation, logistics and far-forward patient treatment have led to improved outcomes for battlefield musculoskeletal injuries and reduced mortality. The evolution of on-the-field care, including leaner, more mobile surgical teams, improved military vehicular design and the widespread use of body armor and modern tourniquets, has helped contribute to the lowest case fatality rate in history for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Fraser Civic Association in conjunction with the Marine Corps League, Brooklyn (NY) Detachment #1 announce the 30th Anniversary of the dedication of the Major Eugene T. McCarthy '77 USMC Memorial. Sunday, 17 May 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Major McCarthy Triangle, Avenue N and East 31st Street, NY. All Veterans & Military Groups, Uniformed Services, Civic Associations, Elected Officials and Neighbors are invited to attend. Attending this year's ceremony to honor the McCarthy Brothers, are approximately a dozen of Major Eugene T. McCarthy's U.S. Naval Academy classmates and fellow Alumni. They began their four years together in Annapolis, Maryland, during Plebe Summer in July 1973 and graduated together in June 1977. Many of them served together with Gene in the Navy and Marine Corps, in flight school at Pensacola, Florida, in California or overseas in Okinawa, Japan. They have been truly a Band of Brothers, where mutual support, strength, and camaraderie enabled us to accomplish much more together than our individual efforts would permit. Gene epitomized the perseverance and devotion to this Nation that inspired us all to serve a cause greater than ourselves.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

As USNA AA&F kickoffs their 50 Years of Women Conference and Gala weekend, a true highlight of the year, we are proud to share Women for Navy Athletics (WFNA), a powerful video recognizing the women who changed the landscape of the Naval Academy for all of our current and future midshipmen. They showed up, broke barriers and redefined what was possible for the whole Brigade. For five decades, women connected to the Naval Academy have built a legacy of leadership, grit and impact—a legacy that lives on in today's midshipmen and continues to shape the future of Navy athletics and the institution itself. Produced by the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation in support of its 50 Years of Women commemoration, this video honors the lasting contributions of women since 1980 and celebrates a legacy defined by strength, resilience and excellence.

Everything collides tomorrow, Saturday, 18 April at 11 a.m. at the Prusmack Rugby Center. A match that defines the season—the one people will be talking about long after the final whistle.

If you're not there, you'll hear about it. The hits. The pace. The moment Navy takes control.

 

This is where blue and gold rises—loud, relentless, unmistakable. Where every chant echoes across the pitch and every voice matters. The Mids will bring the fight. The question is…will you be in the stands to back them? With the SECNAV in attendance, the spotlight couldn't be brighter.

This is your moment to show up, stand out and be part of something bigger. Don't miss it. Bring the energy. Bring the noise. It's time to BEAT ARMY.

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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