Today in Navy, Marine Corps
and USNA Memorial Hall History
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1865. The Confederate tug Webb, under LT Charles W. Read ’60, USN, enters the Mississippi River and attempts to make a run for the open ocean. Successfully passing New Orleans on the night of 24 April, Webb encounters the steam sloop Richmond, which in concert with pursuing Union gunboats runs the Confederate vessel aground. It is burned by its crew, which despite fleeing into the swamps are apprehended. (23–24 April)
1918. While serving with the Fifth Marine Regiment on the Western Front, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Gordon Lyle, DC, rushes to the side of Corporal Thomas Regan, USMC, administering surgical aid under heavy shellfire and saving the man’s life. Lyle is awarded the Medal of Honor.
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Academy & Graduate happenings
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U.S. Naval Academy Commissioning Week is 17-22 May 2026.
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The City of Annapolis welcomes the family and friends of the United States Naval Academy’s (USNA) Class of 2026 Midshipmen for Commissioning Week activities, May 17 to 22, 2026. The graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Class of 2026 will take place on Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. For a full listing of events and activities during Commissioning Week.
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Alum and new Soccer Head Coach honored as Anne Arundel County 2026 New Leader Honorees.
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Leadership Anne Arundel has announced its 2026 New Leader Honorees, recognizing a wide range of leaders who have recently stepped into key roles across Anne Arundel County. The honorees represent the corporate, government, social services, health care, education, and arts sectors and were selected for leadership positions that have a meaningful impact on the local community. According to Leadership Anne Arundel, the honorees were nominated by alumni and members of the community and do not need to be graduates of an LAA program to be recognized. Among those honored on the list were John Hackworth, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, U.S. Naval Academy, and Frank Thorp ‘81, Alderman for Ward 8 (Eastport) in Annapolis.
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Government & Military News
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Navy ‘going to study’ possibility of building ships outside US, Phelan says.
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The U.S. Navy will study the possibility of building warships outside the United States as it looks for ways to address ongoing shipbuilding and labor capacity challenges, according to Navy Secretary John Phelan. Phelan made the remarks during a media roundtable at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 conference in Washington, noting that “everything’s on the table” as the service evaluates options to expand its fleet. The Navy is also looking to revise contracting strategies and introduce incentives aimed at accelerating ship construction timelines. The study comes as the service seeks to grow the fleet beyond its current size in the coming decades.
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Marine Corps, Navy Working Together to Bolster Amphibious Fleet.
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The Marine Corps and Navy are working with “a unified sense of purpose” to invest heavily in the services’ amphibious ship fleet, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said April 21. Flexible, forward-deployed and lethal, the Navy-Marine Corps teams of Amphibious Ready Groups and Marine Expeditionary Units, or ARG/MEUs, are “a consistent force of choice to respond to the range of challenges of today's security environment,” Smith said during a keynote speech at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference. Recent operations
have only increased the growing high demand for these teams. There are currently three ARG/MEUs deployed: one on the East Coast, one on the West Coast and one “on its way to the fight” near the vicinity of Guam, he said.
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US Southern Command stands up autonomous unit.
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U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has announced the establishment of a new Autonomous Warfare Command (SAWC) aimed at expanding the use of autonomous, semi‑autonomous, and unmanned systems across its area of responsibility, which includes the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The new command is designed to better connect tactical missions with long‑term strategic outcomes while strengthening regional security efforts. The command will be developed in coordination with the military services and the Department of Defense’s Defense Autonomous Warfare Group. SOUTHCOM officials noted that additional work remains to fully integrate the new organization and identify the expertise and capabilities needed before it reaches full operational status. No timeline has been announced for when the command will be fully operational.
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US Navy successfully tests new long-range, winged JDAM out to 200 miles.
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The U.S. Navy has successfully tested a new long‑range, winged variant of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), significantly extending the strike range of carrier‑based aircraft. During recent tests, the GBU‑75 JDAM‑Long Range (JDAM‑LR) was launched from an F/A‑18 Super Hornet at the Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range in California and demonstrated the ability to strike targets at distances of approximately 200 nautical miles.
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Local, Education & other academy news
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Bay Bridge Run Returns November 8 Register Now!
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The Bay Bridge Run will return on November 8, giving runners and walkers another chance to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on foot during one of Maryland’s most recognizable race events. Registration for the 2026 race is open now, with spots expected to fill quickly. The annual event allows participants to start on the western side of the bridge in Anne Arundel County and make the 4.35-mile trip across before finishing at Chesapeake Bay Business Park in Queen Anne’s County.
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Alumni Association & Foundation Travel Program Feature - Kentucky Derby.
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Join the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Navy Fan Travel in the hills of Kentucky in celebration of the 2027 Kentucky Derby! Packages include Lexington hotel accommodations, tour welcome event, and more! Experience immersive Kentucky horse farms where you’ll see the full thoroughbred lifecycle from conception and foaling to training and retirement, paired with exclusive access to iconic distilleries, bringing together the heritage of world-class racing and bourbon craftsmanship.
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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results
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Baseball vs Maryland Eastern Shore - W 7-3
Women's Lacrosse vs American - W 18-5
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Women's Track & Field at Penn Relays - Philadelphia, Pa. - Noon
Men's Track & Field at Penn Relays - Philadelphia, Pa. - Noon
Intercollegiate Sailing at ICSA Team Race Championship - New Orleans, La.- All Day
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APRIL
- 23-Apr New Mexico Chapter Roadshow
- 24-Apr Southern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona Roadshow
- 24 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Dedication Parade, Worden Field
- 24 Apr – Council of Annual Giving Spring Meeting
- 24–26 Apr – Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show
- 25-Apr Northern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona Roadshow and Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona Roadshow (yes, two roadshows in one day)
- 26 Apr – Navy SEAL Foundation Annapolis Frogman Swim – Severn River – 8:30 a.m.
- 28 Apr – Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting
- 29 Apr – 2025 TAL Awardee Recognition
- 29 Apr – AA & FDN Board of Directors & Trustees Joint Session
- 29 Apr – AA & FDN Board of Directors & Trustee Welcome Reception
- 29 Apr – USNA Capstone Senior Project Day, Various Locations
- 30 Apr – Naval Academy Foundation Spring Board of Directors Meeting, FAC
- 30 Apr – Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Committee Meeting, FAC
- 30 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Welcome Dinner
MAY
- 1 May – U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Spring Meeting
- 4-8 May - Naval Academy Great Class Challenge
- 7–8 May – Service Academy Career Conference, Washington, DC
- 11–12 May – Class of 2029 Sea Trials
- 11 May - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Golf Tournament - 8 a.m - 12 p.m. EDT, Chesapeake Hills golf course, 11352 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657, Contact [email protected] or 301-481-0604 to register or at this link
- 13 May - GSMC Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten, 5 - 6 p.m. EDT, 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Online event: Register here.
- 13 May – Class of 2029 Herndon Climb
- 15 May – Class of 2026 1/C Out-Processing, Alumni Hall
- 16 May – Class of 2027 Ring Dance, Dahlgren
- 17–22 May – U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2026 Commissioning Week
- 19 May – USMC Select Ceremony & Awards
- 19 May – Glee Club Concert, Main Chapel
- 20 May – Blue Angels Flight Show, Hospital Point
- 21 May – Class of 2026 Color Parade, Worden Field
- 21 May – Prizes & Awards Ceremony, Alumni Hall
- 21 May – President Circle Sip Sip Soiree, Fluegel Alumni Center
- 22 May – Class of 2026 Graduation & Commissioning, NMCMS
- 25 May - Run to Honor Reading of the names (Link) and multiple Memorial Day Run to Honor Events across the country (Link)
JUNE
- 17–18 Jun – USNA Entrepreneurs Summit 2026, Fluegel Alumni Center
- 24–25 Jun – Class of 2030 I-Day Processing, TBD
AUGUST
- 6 – 7 Aug - Service Academy Career Conference, San Diego, CA
- 30 Aug - Annapolis 10 Miler (Run to Honor is a charity partner)
SEPTEMBER
- 3 – 5 Sep - 2026 Distinguished Graduate Award Weekend
- 3 – 5 Sep - Navy Football Brotherhood Kickoff Weekend
- 3 - 6 Sep - Class of 1961 65th Reunion
- 3 – 6 Sep - Class of 1981 45th Reunion
- 3 – 6 Sep - Class of 1996 30th Reunion
- 3 – 6 Sep - Class of 2016 10th Reunion
- 4 Sep - DGA Medal Ceremony - Alumni Hall - 4:30 p.m.
- 5 Sep - Navy vs Towson, NMCMS
- 12 Sep - Navy @ Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
- 13 Sep - Travis Manion Foundation 5K - Navy/Marine Corps Stadium - 11 a.m.
- 17 – 20 Sep - Class of 1986 40th Reunion
- 18-19 Sep: Friends of Navy Sailing (FONS) Weekend 2026, USNA
- 25 Sep - Navy @ University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
OCTOBER
- 1 – 4 Oct - Class of 1966 60th Reunion
- 3 Oct - Navy @ Air Force, Colorado Springs, CO
- 8 – 10 Oct - President’s Circle Weekend
- 8 - 11 Oct - Class of 1971 55th Reunion
- 10 Oct - Navy vs Tulsa University, NMCMS
- 17 Oct - Navy @ University of Texas San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- 22 – 23 Oct - Service Academy Career Conference, Denton, TX
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 1956 70th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 1976 50th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 1991 35th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 2001 25th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 2006 20th Reunion
- 23 Oct - Anchors Away Golf Tournament
- 24 Oct - U.S. Naval Academy Homecoming
- 24 Oct - Navy vs North Texas University, NMCMS
- 24 Oct - Welcome Home Social, Fluegel Alumni Center
- 31 Oct - Navy vs Notre Dame, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
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USNA AA&F resources & Links
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The Daily Shipmate is a news product intended to share news about the Naval Academy, the Naval Services and our members. We are apolitical as an organization and will strive to bring forward relevant news on a wide variety of issues. Just because we include an article does not mean we endorse its content, author, or news organization.
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Annapolis, MD 21402, United States
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