15 May Daily Shipmate

Friday, 15 May 2026

1862 - Corporal John Mackie, the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor, was commended for service in the USS Galena during action against Confederate shore batteries at Drewry's Bluff which blocked the James River approaches to Richmond.

 

1977 - LT Brian Hurst ’71, USN and LT Dennis O’Malley ’72, USN were lost when the F-4 Phantom II they were aboard crashed into the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to land aboard USS Independence (CV 62). They were members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 102, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Brian was from Illinois and stood out at the Naval Academy for his willingness to help his classmates: “Brian always came through.” He was survived by his wife, son, and parents. Dennis was from New York, where he “quickly discovered something besides the hustle of the city and that was the rustle of the rack.” “Denny’s biggest accomplishment at Navy was growing a set of sideburns; started in Youngster year, they should look good by June Week ‘72.” Dennis was survived by his wife, son, parents, four brothers, and sister. (The Alumni Association has lost contact with Dennis’ 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

Last week our alumni took the helm and showed up to support the Brigade. Achieving 113% of the 6,400-donor goal, 7,293 supporters answered the call and raised $3,432,625 during the Great Class Challenge (GCC). The Class of 1984 will hold on to their title as the winning class with the most participation of the 2026 challenge, while also beating our highest participation record from last year. They did it again this year, growing their class participation rate from 63.5% to 69.2%. This is ’84’s fifth consecutive year claiming the win. And in what is becoming an annual GCC tradition, ’78 and ’87 went head-to-head for second and third place in participation once more, and had our data team running numbers until yesterday evening. But it was the Class of 1978 who took home second place this year with a participation rate of 48.0%, and the Class of 1987 brought home third with 46.9%. Of course, we have to give a shout-out and credit to the top participating classes per decade, from 1948 all the way to the Parents of 2029, whose children are “Plebes no more” after climbing and capping Herndon Monument yesterday morning. We would like to thank our amazing and passionate Naval Academy alumni, parents and friends for participating in this year's Great Class Challenge, demonstrating their Navy Blue and Gold class pride and generously supporting the Brigade!

ADM Stuart Munsch ’85, USN (Ret.) former Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa and Commander of Allied Joint Force Command, Naples, passed the title of Old Goat to ADM James Kilby ’86, USN Vice Chief of Naval Operations, at the Pentagon, 11 May. The Old Goat is the most senior and longest-serving United States Naval Academy graduate on active duty. The prestigious designation is accompanied by the Old Goat Award, a crystal decanter engraved with the initials and class years of previous recipients. ADM Munsch has held the position since 2024. “I am honored to receive this award from Admiral Munsch and accept this recognition on behalf of the incredible class of 1986,” said ADM Kilby. “I am proud to carry forward the legacy of those who came before me and remain inspired by the next generation of naval leaders.” The Old Goat award recognizes the dedication, commitment and service of Naval Academy graduates. ADM Kilby now serves as the Naval Academy’s 11th recognized Old Goat.

The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) unveiled a NEX‑themed NASCAR driver uniform and race car with NASCAR driver and Navy Reserve LCDR Jesse Iwuji ’10, USNR yesterday, 14 May. The design will debut when Iwuji races the No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro SS during NASCAR’s first-ever race held on an active military installation, 20 June at Naval Base Coronado. NEXCOM leaders said the partnership highlights the Navy’s 250th birthday and its commitment to Sailor quality of life. The event will be nationally broadcast and includes sweepstakes experiences for Navy Exchange customers.

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Government & Military News

All active-duty Marines and reservists must complete a new Basic AI Course before the end of the calendar year, according to a MARADMIN message released 8 May. The announcement comes amid a broader push by the Marine Corps, and the Defense Department writ large, to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence capabilities for warfighting and back-office functions. One of the strategic goals outlined in the Corps’ AI implementation plan, released last year, is to develop an “AI competent workforce.” “Emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT) offer the potential for Marines to gain a decisive advantage but also create the possibility of an adversary exploiting these technologies more effectively.

U.S. military special operations leaders, including senior Navy leadership, told Congress they are increasingly frustrated by restrictions that prevent operators from modifying or repairing their own equipment, particularly unmanned systems. Navy and joint special operations commanders said proprietary controls held by defense manufacturers slow innovation and limit the ability to adapt systems in the field as threats evolve. Leaders warned that adversaries can quickly modify commercial technologies, while U.S. forces remain bound by vendor agreements. The removal of “right to repair” provisions from the fiscal 2026 defense bill has intensified concerns that readiness and operational flexibility—critical for Navy and special operations missions—are being undermined.

U.S. Central Command Commander ADM Brad Cooper ’89, USN told Congress that Iran’s military threat has been significantly reduced following a U.S. bombing campaign, but has not been eliminated. Cooper said U.S. and allied naval operations have dramatically degraded Iran’s ability to disrupt maritime commerce, including destroying roughly 90% of its naval mine inventory in the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran retains a limited ability to threaten the region, Cooper emphasized that U.S. naval forces have met their objectives in protecting sea lanes and enforcing port blockades. He warned, however, that Iran’s continued rhetoric and residual capabilities still pose risks to regional stability and maritime security.

Local, Education & other academy news

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Join us for an interactive webinar where you will learn accessible daily somatic practices to (re)establish your sense of safety within your body, calm your mind and strengthen your mind body relationship. Safety is the root of your health and healing. Our speaker, Alana M. Abernethy ’10, is a Women’s Holistic Health Practitioner, Licensed Massage Therapist, Educator and a USNA graduate dedicated to transforming the way women experience and understand their bodies. Alana is passionate about helping women move from confusion and disconnection to clarity, confidence and physiological resilience—because when women trust their bodies, everything changes.

This event is open to all women officers and officer veterans who attended a service academy (regardless of graduation status) or who participated in any other commissioning source (regardless of completion status) who have experienced sexual assault or unwanted/negative sexual experience(s).

 

Questions? Email Stefanie Goebel at [email protected].

 

Alana (uh-LAH-nuh) Abernethy is a 2010 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a retired Lieutenant Commander and former surface warfare officer. After a Stage IV Endometriosis diagnosis and medical retirement in 2022, Alana is now a Women's Holistic Health Practitioner, Licensed Massage Therapist and Founder of Evergreen Women's Holistic Care in San Diego, CA.

 

She practices:

Her care focuses on safety, and the belief that your body isn't broken; it is communicating. Alana is currently pursuing her graduate degree as Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization.

 

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

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