12 May Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

A look back at the Entrepreneurs Summit, where a full house heard from two incredible speakers: former Deputy Director of National Intelligence the Honorable Sue Gordon, founder of GordonVentures LLC where she advises private sector companies on strategy, leadership and global risk, and alumna Tiffany Gates ’95, who joined Gordon on stage to discuss strategic leadership in the defense, intelligence and advanced analytics industries.

This year’s summit takes place 17–18 June in Annapolis, and the speaker list is brimming with impressive and prominent USNA CEOs, founders, investors and accomplished voices. All of this is woven together with dedicated time for networking and socializing with fellow entrepreneurial alumni. This unique event offers the opportunity to invest in the talent and ideas of fellow USNA graduates, ignite potential through support from Naval Academy peers and glean insight and inspiration from those making a meaningful impact. Don’t miss your chance. Registration is open and filling fast - this event is anticipated to sell out before the end of the month. Check out the speakers and register now at the link below.

1938 - The aircraft carrier Enterprise (CV-6), destined to become the most decorated ship of World War II, is commissioned.

 

1945 - CDR Louis Drexler, Jr.’23, USN was killed in action when he was struck by a sniper at Okinawa. He was the commanding officer of LST Group Forty-Seven, embarked aboard USS LST 918. “Louie” grew up in Bethany Beach, Delaware, and had a career prior to the war mostly at sea in various ships. At the outbreak of the war he was officer in charge Navy recruiting in western Pennsylvania; in early 1942 he was stationed in Iceland and as a troop officer aboard a transport ship in the Atlantic. By 1944 he had taken command of the LST squadron, and participated in the invasions of Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, Ie Shima, Corregidor, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He was survived by his wife, whom he married in 1934, and two sons from his first marriage. (His wife’s first husband was a classmate, LCDR Henry Batterton ’23, USN.) Louis’ brother, 20 October 1924: ENS Henry Drexler ’24, USN, was killed in a gun turret explosion in USS Trenton (CL 11) in 1924.

 

1966 - The first successful guided firing tests of the Phoenix missile, which in future years is carried by the F-14 Tomcat, are conducted on the Pacific Missile Range in the waters off Point Mugu, California.

 

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

7,419 donors bring competition and momentum to the Great Class Challenge

Bravo Zulu and thank you to all 7,419 alumni who supported this year's Great Class Challenge. You helped support new records in this year’s Great Class Challenge and brought true competition and fun to this year’s event. And thanks to all the parents of midshipmen who supported the Challenge and their midshipmen's classes. The Class of 1984 once again claims the crown for highest class participation, while the Classes of 1978 and 1987 are locked in an incredibly close race—so close that final tallies are still underway. Final results and a full breakdown are coming soon, once all gifts are fully accounted for. Stay tuned!

“We had a wonderful afternoon on 26 April honoring our Southeastern Pennsylvania Parents Association (SPPA) Firstie Families. After a delicious lunch, members read letters to each of our Firstie families written by their Midshipmen. The letters were all unique—sharing inside jokes, humorous anecdotes, and a lot of gratitude for food and trips to USNA over four years. Most importantly every letter was filled with love for the parents that helped to prepare them for who they are today—officers ready to Commission and embrace the next part of their journey. Every family was presented with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, a printed copy of their Midshipman’s letter and a vase of flowers as gifts from SPPA. As a final tribute, we shared a slideshow of photos featuring the Firsties, their families and memories at SPPA events over the past few years. It was an honor to celebrate the Class of 2026! We look forward to seeing all of these families at future SPPA events as Alumni.”

From the Podcast Fleet

We are thrilled to share this podcast episode featuring Ms. Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers, daughter of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr., CNO 19. Mouzetta joined us to reflect on her father’s legacy, the 50th anniversary events, and what it was like growing up in the CNO’s household during a pivotal time in Navy history. At times, we found ourselves deeply moved as we discussed how ADM Zumwalt’s vision directly shaped our own opportunities to attend the Naval Academy and serve. A true full-circle moment. Thank you, Mouzetta, for carrying forward this remarkable legacy, with gratitude also to the USNA Women’s Glee Club and the Alumni Association and Foundation.

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of 11 May 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

With the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford en route home from what has become the longest U.S. Navy float since Vietnam, the service is reconsidering how to sustain a wartime fighting force. That’s according to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman, who addressed service needs and quality of life concerns at a forum hosted by Military Officers Association of America this month. With the back-to-back operational demands of the military intervention to capture and extract Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in January, followed by the airstrikes on and subsequent naval blockade of Iran, and amid ongoing drug interdiction operations around South and Central America, older force generation models are proving less effective, he said.

The following is the U.S. Navy’s Shipbuilding Plan, published 11 May 2026. Over the past year, the United States Navy has continually demonstrated across multiple theaters and mission sets why it is the world’s premier maritime force. Whether delivering continuous, devastating striking power at an unrelenting pace from virtually every type of platform in the Fleet in Operation Epic Fury, enabling the rapid insertion, decisive action, and safe recovery of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in Operation Absolute Resolve, delivering long range precision strike in Operation Midnight Hammer, or sustaining high tempo carrier strike operations against Houthi targets in Operation Rough Rider, our Fleet has operated with unmatched reach and skill.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of military operations. The Pentagon has expanded partnerships with major AI companies for classified systems, the Army is integrating AI into battlefield intelligence analysis, and defense planners increasingly see AI as essential for future command-and-control systems. That expansion has created a serious new security concern: AI sleeper agents. Most people worry about AI making mistakes or generating false information. AI sleeper agents are different. The danger is not accidental failure; it is instead hidden behavior intentionally embedded inside an AI system that remains dormant until a specific event or set of conditions activates it.

Memorial Day at the Navy Memorial

Honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. On Monday, 25 May, the United States Navy Memorial will host its annual Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony—a solemn tribute to those who gave their lives in defense of our freedom. Attend in person in Washington, D.C., or join the livestream from anywhere in the world.

 

📍 United States Navy Memorial Plaza, Washington, D.C.

🕒 Monday, 25 May, 12:30 p.m. ET

Local, Education & other academy news

The U.S. Air Force Academy hosted the first Academy Research Showcase at the Madera Cyber Innovation Center, bringing together military, industry and academic partners to engage with the Academy’s undergraduate research enterprise. The event highlighted how cadet-focused research supports Department of the Air Force priorities while developing our future officers. Through cadet-driven projects and faculty mentorship, research efforts produce operationally relevant solutions to real-world defense challenges. The showcase increases visibility of the Academy’s research capabilities, strengthens partnerships and reinforces the value of sustained investment in cadet research.

Ten dollars off all Navy apparel and shoes, 18 May - 22 May. Made in Annapolis, built for any occasion. Shop at madeplus.com or find us at 186 Main Street, downtown Annapolis. These custom shoes, designed for Midshipmen and fans, are part of a curated selection of Naval Academy branded apparel and footwear available in the downtown Annapolis area, including options from brands like KEEN and custom JP Crickets Italian-made loafers.

Check out the February 2026 Sing Second Podcast with Made Plus Founder Alan Guyan at the link below.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

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USNA and AA&F Events

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