11 June Daily Shipmate

Thursday, 11 June 2026

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1924 - 2ndLt Harold Durst Hail ’21, USMC, died in a plane crash 10 June 1924 near Quantico, where he was stationed as a naval aviator. In 1923, he wrote three articles for the Saturday Evening Post describing life at the Naval Academy, bringing positive national attention to the Navy. His death was widely covered, with The Baltimore Sun publishing one of the more detailed accounts of his accomplishments in such a short life. He was engaged at the time of his death and is survived by his parents and two brothers. His legacy continues across generations—his grandnephew, John Hail, son of USNA alum CDR James E. Hail ’94, USNR (Ret.), will join the Class of 2030 this June.

 

1942 - ENS John Howard ’41, USNR was killed in action when the German sea mine he was attempting to defuse exploded near Lowestoft, England. He had left the Naval Academy in February 1939; in November 1940 he was appointed a midshipman a second time but did not re-attend. He left Swarthmore College in late 1940 and was commissioned an officer in the Naval Reserve in February 1941. The “unclassified miscellaneous vessel” USS John M. Howard (IX 75) was named for him. He was survived by his fiancée and parents.

 

1943 - The German submarine U-66 attacks the tanker Esso Gettysburg as it carries crude oil from Port Arthur, Texas, to Philadelphia. The attack triggers fires that feed on the ship’s cargo. Despite the flames, Ensign John S. Arnold II of the ship’s Armed Guard detachment orders the forward gun manned and opens fire on the submarine. He receives the Navy Cross for his heroic actions. Arnold is one of 15 of the 72-man crew to survive.

 

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

2ndLt Samuel Guadalupe ’26, USMC, has been named a 2027 Eisenhower Global Scholar, earning a year of postgraduate study at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. A former Battalion Commander, Guadalupe plans to research the integration of artificial intelligence into cybersecurity and national defense policy for his future role as a Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Officer.

USNA Alumni Association and Foundation (USNA AA&F) President and CEO Jeff Webb ’95 and a few members of the AA&F team attended this year’s Joint Service Academy Alumni Executives Conference (JSAAEC), held at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. On Tuesday evening, they were joined by USNA Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte ’91, USMC, and his wife, Gitte. JSAAEC is an annual gathering of alumni association and foundation leaders, C-suite executives and advancement professionals from the five U.S. service academies. Each year, participants come together to share best practices, exchange lessons learned and collaborate on alumni engagement, fundraising and organizational management across academy networks.

Congrats to our Maryland Senior Olympian alumni. Our own teammate and alum Tony Spinler ’91 and Phil Hobby, parent of Chase Hobby ’07, won gold in Ages 55–60 3.0–3.5 doubles. Jensin Sommer ’91 earned both a silver in Ages 55–59 women’s 4.0+ singles and a gold in Ages 50–54 women’s 4.0+ doubles. These results qualify them to compete in the National Senior Olympics next year. Sommer also won silver in the U.S. Open earlier this year and currently serves as a USNA adjunct PE instructor and coach of the USNA Pickleball Club team. She is planning the 1991 reunion pickleball event and is glad to help other classes looking for a fun indoor social during their reunions. A big shout out as well to Kevin Casey ’86, who was recently drafted to the 2026 Champion Series Pickleball Senior Pro League. Great to see alumni never lose that competitive spirit!

Government & Military News

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas ’75 and Chris Servello ’99…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the U.S., across the seas and around the world. This week…renowned naval analyst Ron O’Rourke formerly of the congressional research service joins us to discuss recent shipbuilding programs and challenges facing the Navy and Coast Guard.

A U.S. Navy sea drone unit rescued two Army soldiers after their AH‑64 Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman on 8 June. Operated by Task Force 59, a Bahrain‑based unit specializing in unmanned systems, a 24‑foot Corsair drone located the crew in the water and transported them to a safer position, where they were extracted by helicopter. The operation, supported by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the 82nd Airborne Division and other assets, is believed to be the first time an unmanned surface vessel has recovered personnel at sea, highlighting the growing role of autonomous technology in military operations.

The United States launched strikes against Iran 9 June after President Donald Trump said Tehran downed a U.S. Army Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command described the operation as a proportional response to Iranian aggression, targeting air defense and radar systems. The helicopter went down near Oman while on patrol and its two crew members were rescued by a U.S. Navy surface drone and recovered in stable condition. Iran did not directly confirm the incident but warned foreign forces risk escalation. The exchange adds strain to ongoing ceasefire talks and raises concerns about stability in the region.

The United States disabled another oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman 9 June as part of an ongoing U.S. Navy‑led blockade of Iranian ports. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the engine room of the Palau‑flagged M/T Settebello after it ignored repeated warnings from U.S. forces. Navy aviation again played a central role, with an F/A‑18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln striking a separate tanker a day earlier to halt its transit toward Iran. The actions highlight the Navy’s operational role in enforcing maritime restrictions and maintaining pressure in the region.

Local, Education & other academy news

The Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) is a free on-line platform by USNA alumni for USNA alumni only. Alumni from all class years are invited to participate as mentors, protégés, or both. Alumni are matched and engage in meaningful, confidential discussions about career and life planning, goal setting, and achieving more. If you have questions about AMP or mentoring, join the myUSNA AMP Forum.

Join the United States Navy Memorial TONIGHT for Captain America: The First Avenger. Movies on the Memorial returns to bring iconic stories of courage, service, and adventure to the open air. This free, family-friendly series is open to the public and invites the community to gather for unforgettable evenings beneath the stars.

Bring a blanket, bring your crew, and join us for a summer night of storytelling and service.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Tickets for one of the most anticipated Navy Football games that USNA alumni look forward to each year — the 99th meeting between Navy and Notre Dame — are on sale now. For the first time ever, the Midshipmen will play the Fighting Irish at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Kickoff is set for Noon on 31 October. Purchase your tickets today on NavySports.com and join your fellow USNA alumni to cheer on the Navy blue and gold!

Join the youth fanbase of Navy Athletics and get exclusive discounts on game tickets & birthday parties, access to the 10/10 pregame tailgate, membership gifts, and more! All kids ages 12 and under are invited to join. Membership lasts from 10 June 2026 until 31 May 2027.

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