21 May Daily Shipmate

Thursday, 21 May 2026

Many tradition and legacy events happen all week during Commissioning Week, and that includes the McGarvey’s meet-up that happens after the Blue Angels practice day. The team comes up from Andrew’s Air Force Base and meets with the local Annapolis community who show their love and appreciation. Alums Supply Officer LT Garrett Wiedle ’19, USN, and Executive Officer CDR Chris Meeks ’07, USN, shared a moment with a few of the Mids who were full of questions and soaking in advice from one of their own, honored to hear from officers who once stood in their shoes and offered a bit of perspective.

1941 - En route to Africa, the U.S. freighter Robin Moor, with U.S. flags painted prominently on its sides, is torpedoed by the German submarine U-69 and later sunk by fire from the sub’s deck gun. This marks the first sinking of an American merchantman during World War II.

 

1967 - CDR James Griffin ’55, USN died as a prisoner of war of injuries sustained two days earlier when his RC-5A reconnaissance plane was shot down over North Vietnam. James’ entry in the Lucky Bag reads in part: “Tennessee’s gift to the Naval Academy spent one year at the U. of T. before entering into the sheltered life of a Midshipman. After graduation Jim intends to be a jet jockey in naval air. Born and raised on the farm, Jim enjoys the outdoor life and is a competent authority on any hunting or fishing problems. After the gold wears off, Jim intends to go back to the farm and spend the rest of his life watching both his kids and his crops grow.” James was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as numerous other awards and decorations. He was survived by his wife Dora, his son James, his daughter Glyn Carol, his parents, two brothers and a sister. After the war Dora remarried CAPT James Bell ’54, USN, who had been a prisoner of war for seven and a half years.

 

1968 - The nuclear-powered submarine Scorpion (SSN-589) sinks 400 miles southwest of the Azores Islands with the loss of all 99 members of its crew. A survey of the wreckage results in the opinion that the cause of its sinking is a torpedo that begins running in its tube, is launched, and circles back to hit the submarine.

 

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Academy & Graduate happenings

The U.S. Naval Academy Prizes and Awards Ceremony is a cornerstone of Commissioning Week, celebrating graduating midshipmen who have distinguished themselves through exceptional achievement. Held each May, the event recognizes members of the First Class who embody the highest standards of excellence across academics, athletics, and military leadership. During the ceremony, a wide range of honors are presented, including distinguished graduate awards, academic department prizes, and military and athletic recognitions. Alumni, sponsoring organizations, and senior Academy leaders—such as the Superintendent and Provost—take part in presenting these accolades, which include plaques, swords, financial awards, and books. Among these honors is an award presented by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, recognizing one member of the graduating class who exemplifies the ideals and traditions of the naval service and best represents a balanced record of outstanding leadership, professionalism, academic distinction, and athletic achievement. The stream begins at 1:30 p.m. ET at the link below.

Government & Military News

Navy leadership’s recent decision to make the future Trump-class battleship nuclear-powered introduced a new twist in the saga of one of the service’s most controversial programs. President Donald Trump unveiled his vision for the platform in December when officials shared their desires to arm the vessel with a variety of high-tech weapons such lasers, railguns, hypersonic missiles and nukes. The Pentagon plans to spend more than $17 billion on the lead ship in the class, according to budget documents released last month.

The Marine Corps will reduce the time in service required for promotion to sergeant from 48 months to 30 months starting 1 October, reversing a 2020 policy that prioritized longevity. Officials say the change strengthens competition and emphasizes merit and performance among corporals. The update applies to active and reserve Marines. Additional reforms include shortening the professional military education completion window for staff sergeant candidates from 365 to 270 days and eliminating alternate selection lists in favor of a predictive allocation model. Leaders say the adjustments will accelerate advancement for high performers while helping fill small unit leadership roles more efficiently.

Hathaway ’04 and fellow astronauts work cancer, cartilage treatments, cosmonauts prep for spacewalk

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are conducting advanced research in microgravity to improve medical treatments on Earth, with NASA astronaut CDR Jack Hathaway ’04, USN playing a key role across multiple efforts. He helps operate and maintain critical lab systems that support experiments studying how cancer drugs behave in space. Without gravity, researchers can better observe these drugs at a molecular level, which may lead to more effective therapies for diseases like pancreatic cancer. His work also supports studies on growing cartilage tissue. In microgravity, cells form more natural structures, giving scientists insight into how to improve joint repair and develop stronger, longer lasting implants for patients. In addition, Hathaway directly contributes to biotechnology research by configuring hardware that explores how pharmaceutical compounds can be produced in space. He also supports plant growth experiments that could improve astronaut nutrition on long duration missions. Together, Hathaway’s contributions highlight how each crew member plays an essential role in advancing research, helping translate space based discoveries into real world medical and human health applications.

Senators warned that Pentagon policy is not keeping pace with rapid advances in autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence. As the Defense Department seeks a major funding increase for unmanned systems, lawmakers said current rules were not designed to handle newer technologies, especially AI driven targeting. Officials acknowledged the gap, noting policies must evolve more frequently to reflect growing capabilities and emerging threats. The concern comes as autonomous systems play a larger role in modern conflicts, raising questions about oversight risk and how much human judgment should remain in decisions involving the use of force.

Local, Education & other academy news

VA is committed to high-quality, exposure-informed care (EIC). EIC means VA considers how military environmental exposures, like burn pits or Agent Orange, may impact your health. This initiative ensures VA health care teams are ready to address your concerns. This exposure-informed care approach is built into your care, where your health care team will listen, acknowledge, learn, and work with you to address exposure concerns.A dedicated Veteran webpage is available with links and resources for Information on military exposures; Educational materials for you and your family; Links to VA programs and support.

Talk to your VA health care team today or visit the link below.

 

Questions/Comments? Contact any of the following members of our USNA Health & Wellness Committee.

 

Mitch Henderson '65 ([email protected])

Jack Kirwan '73 ([email protected])

Mike Moore '76 ([email protected])

Susan Cowan '81 ([email protected])

Karen Quilty '89 ([email protected])

The U.S. Air Force Academy is honored to announce that Vice President JD Vance will serve as the speaker for the Academy’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, 28 May 2026, at Falcon Stadium. Vice President Vance was sworn into office on 20 January 2025. He previously served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio and is a Marine Corps veteran who served on active duty from 2003 to 2007.

On 23 May, approximately 1,000 West Point cadets will graduate, receive their degrees and be commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army. But as of four days before the ceremony, West Point still has not announced who its commencement speaker will be this year.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Harlie Hanley and Paige Burke earned All-Patriot League honors following Navy’s strong finish at the conference championship. Hanley, a junior, was named to the All-Patriot League First Team, marking her second career recognition, while Burke, a sophomore, earned Second Team honors. Both athletes were key contributors to Navy’s lineup during the season and championship competition, helping the team secure a third-place finish. Their selections reflect consistent performance against top Patriot League programs and highlight Navy’s continued competitiveness in rowing. The honors underscore the impact of individual contributions within a team sport, recognizing Hanley’s leadership and Burke’s emergence as a rising performer at the conference level.

USNA and AA&F Events

USNA AA&F resources & Links

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