29 Apr Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

1975 - With invading North Vietnamese troops rapidly approaching the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon, ships of the Seventh Fleet's Task Force 76 operating in the South China Sea begin launching helicopters to execute Operation Frequent Wind. Landing in the U.S. Defense Attaché Office compound and at the U.S. Embassy, oftentimes braving enemy fire as they approached the landing zones, Marine and Air Force helicopters pull more than 7,000 Americans and Vietnamese to safety, including U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam Graham Martin. One South Vietnamese Air Force officer loads his family into a two-seat observation plane and flies out over the South China Sea, making a landing on the flight deck of the carrier Midway (CVA-41). In addition, Military Sealift Command ships and Navy warships rescue Vietnamese nationals fleeing South Vietnam by sea. (29–30 April)

 

2007 - 1stLt Travis Manion '04, USMC was killed in action with Iraqi insurgents in Al Anbar Province. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and had earlier been awarded the Bronze Star. Manion Hall at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia is named for him, as will be the future USS Travis Manion (LPD 33). Travis was survived by his parents and sister.

 

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

CAPT Clinton A. Cornell '01, USN, was recently selected to become the 92nd Commandant of Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. A native of Dickson City, Penn., he is a USNA Class of 2001 graduate, currently serving as Commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE in San Diego, Calif., and is designated as an EOD Warfare officer with qualifications as a special operations officer, surface warfare officer, deep sea diving officer, combat craft patrol officer and naval parachutist.

 

“I am honored to serve as Commandant of Midshipmen,” said Cornell. “It is a privilege to lead the Brigade of Midshipmen as we forge warriors – leaders of character grounded in accountability, discipline, and a relentless commitment to warfighting excellence. I am excited to return to the Naval Academy, and my family looks forward to joining a team dedicated to strengthening a culture of readiness and resilience as we prepare the next generation of Navy and Marine Corps leaders to deter conflict and, when called, fight and win.”

 

After earning his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy, Cornell went on to graduate from the National War College, earning a Master of Science degree in National Security Studies.

The USNA Council of Class Presidents (COCP) met yesterday, drawing class leaders from across nearly eight decades of graduates for its Spring session. The COCP, an independent body that facilitates communication among classes and advises the Alumni Association and Foundation, reviewed ongoing initiatives and Academy trends. USNA AA&F President and CEO Jeff Webb '95 delivered updates on four major developments: the groundbreaking of the new Lacrosse Center at the Naval Academy, the renaming of the Athletic and Scholarship Programs to the Naval Academy Athletic Foundation, and the announcement of Col. Ripley's Medal of Honor recognition. The group also discussed alumni engagement efforts, including the Great Class Challenge, the USNA columbarium project update, myUSNA information and many other new initiatives. The meeting concluded with applause and appreciation for outgoing COCP Chairman Steve Comiskey '69 and Communication Specialist Sandy Spadaro, who retires May 1st after 29 years of service to Shipmate Magazine.

Check out the Run to Honor SIG's recent newsletter, highlighting upcoming Memorial Day Run to Honor walk / runs across the country to Honor and Always Remember.

If you would like to hold a Run to Honor walk / run at a location not listed, please let us know!

Commissioning Week 2026 is a few short weeks away and heightened security measures at the U.S. Naval Academy are reshaping how the public will experience the week, including the iconic Blue Angels flight demonstration. Civilian access to the Yard will remain restricted, a shift from previous years when spectators and visitors freely gathered on Academy grounds to watch the aerobatic performance over the Severn River. Even with restricted access, the Blue Angels will still perform their rehearsal on 19 May and full demonstration on 20 May at 2:00 p.m. Prime viewing areas shift to public waterfront spots, street‑end parks, Eastport's shoreline, and boats on the water. The Naval Academy Bridge (Route 450) will close during both the practice and the main show, creating additional traffic impacts. Annapolis residents should expect heavier‑than‑normal congestion and intermittent closures of roads, bridges, and waterways throughout the week.

 

Commissioning Week includes several other major events: the Herndon Monument Climb on 13 May, marking the end of Plebe Year; the Color Parade on 21 May; and the Class of 2026 Graduation on 22 May at Navy‑Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, an invitation‑only ceremony that traditionally includes a Blue Angels flyover. These events draw large crowds and require heightened security, especially given that commencement speakers are often senior national leaders.

 

Despite the changes, the week remains a defining Annapolis tradition, with the community adapting to new access rules while preserving the excitement and pride surrounding the celebration.

As of 28 April 2026, the following restrictions are in place by Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSAA):

 

Commissioning Week/Blue Angels Show/Herndon Climb Access Information (USNA & NSA Annapolis):

 

As we prepare to celebrate Commissioning Week 2026, safety and security remain our top priorities for our midshipmen, personnel and visitors. Current restricted access policies at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and Naval Support Activity (NSA) Annapolis will remain in effect throughout Commissioning Week to include the Blue Angels Show and the Herndon Climb.

 

Due to the continued suspension of the Trusted Traveler Program and General Public Visitation, access to the installation is strictly controlled.

 

While public access to the Yard is restricted, the Annapolis community offers outstanding viewing opportunities for the Blue Angels demonstration. Recommended locations include:

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we ensure a safe and successful Commissioning Week for all.

From the Podcast Fleet

On this episode, we explore how new Navy junior officers transition from the Academy's structured environment to the unpredictable realities of the Fleet. Adulthood and leadership become real responsibilities on day one, and effective officers must go beyond competence by actively advocating for their sailors. That means refining work products, hand‑carrying paperwork through the chain of command, and bringing solutions that support sailors without compromising mission readiness. We also examine the fixation on being the “#1 JO,” arguing that a mission‑first, team‑first mindset naturally drives stronger performance. Then we tackle officer privilege—greater access, privacy, and benefit of the doubt—and discuss how acknowledging these advantages builds credibility and can be used to reduce friction for enlisted sailors. Finally, we cover practical life skills such as deployment preparation, financial planning, and maintaining relationships, emphasizing the intentional effort required once officers leave the Academy's built‑in social network.

Government & Military News

The U.S. Navy is reviewing the design and costs of one of its most high-tech and expensive warships — the Ford-class aircraft carrier — and the service's top boss is not ruling out canceling future versions of its design. Navy Secretary John Phelan told reporters Tuesday that the review, which should be complete next month, was “a prudent and practical” move aimed at examining “the costs of the designs and the systems to make sure that they make sense and they have all the systems and requirements that we want going forward.” The review of the design comes after years of criticism from President Donald Trump, who has taken issue with some of the technology on this type of aircraft carrier, including its magnetic catapults, which he claimed “didn't work” during remarks in the Oval Office last year.

U.S. Navy Seabees from NMCB‑1 and the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment supported Exercise Obangame Express 2026 by building expeditionary infrastructure in Cameroon to enable autonomous maritime operations. Their primary project—a floating pier—allows unmanned surface vessels to launch and recover in areas lacking traditional port facilities, expanding maritime domain awareness in the Gulf of Guinea. The effort demonstrates how engineering units integrate with emerging technologies to support future naval missions. The exercise also strengthens partnerships among U.S., African, and international forces, enhancing shared maritime security capabilities and laying groundwork for continued unmanned systems experimentation and cooperation.

Roughly 82% of U.S. Navy warships currently under construction are behind schedule, and the delays stem from deeper structural issues rather than any single cause. A major factor is long‑term strategic instability. For more than three decades after the Cold War, the Navy shifted between competing visions of what future conflicts would require—sometimes emphasizing near‑shore operations, other times preparing for high‑end combat against advanced adversaries. As priorities changed, ship designs already in progress were repeatedly modified instead of being cleanly restarted. Those mid‑stream adjustments added cost, complexity and years of delay. Programs such as the Zumwalt‑class destroyer highlight how evolving missions can leave ships mismatched to new expectations, forcing redesigns and reducing production efficiency. Shipyards have struggled to adapt to constantly shifting requirements, especially when each change affects engineering, supply chains and workforce planning. The result is a fleet pipeline that is both expensive and slow. Improving performance will require a stable, clearly defined fleet strategy that endures long enough for shipbuilders to design and produce vessels without continual revisions. Consistent requirements, predictable demand, and long‑term planning are presented as essential steps toward reducing delays and strengthening the Navy's ability to field ships on time.

Local, Education & other academy news

ChristianaCare health care has announced the appointment of C. David Minifie '93 as its new senior vice president and chief marketing officer, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in health care and consumer-focused industries to the Delaware-based health system. In his new role, Minifie will oversee ChristianaCare's systemwide marketing and communications efforts, including brand strategy, consumer insights, digital engagement and storytelling initiatives tied to the organization's broader mission. Minifie is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and previously served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He continues to be involved in advisory and governance roles focused on health, education and community initiatives.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Baseball vs Manhattan - Annapolis, Md. - 3:00 p.m.

Yesterday's results:

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USNA and AA&F Events

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