29 June Daily Shipmate

Monday, 29 June 2026

photos of the day

USNA alumnus Greg Smith ’85 swears in his daughter, Katy Smith, a Naval Academy Athletic Foundation student and member of the Class of 2030, on Induction Day (I-Day), 25 June 2026 on the steps of the Naval Academy Chapel. The Smiths will be featured in an upcoming I-Day 2026 video released in August.

USNA alums Mike and Cynthia Lisa pose with their daughter, Julia ’30, on Induction Day at the Naval Academy. Mike ’99 and Cynthia ’00 are from Hollywood, MD.

1950 - The antiaircraft light cruiser Juneau (CLAA-119) fires at on shore targets in the vicinity of Samchok, Korea, marking the first naval gunfire support mission of the Korean War and the first action involving the U.S. Navy. On 2 July, the cruiser engages in the only purely naval action of the war when, while operating with two British ships, it is attacked by North Korean torpedo boats. Three enemy craft are sunk without damage to the allied warships.

 

1970 - CAPT Donald Deane Aldern ’52, USN, was killed in action when the aircraft he was piloting crashed in Southern Laos while on a bombing mission. He was the commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 19; he was promoted to Captain while in a missing status. “Deane” was a native of South Dakota and had a successful career in several squadrons and aircraft carriers. He had been awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. He was survived by his wife and four sons.

 

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

Total Mids: 1,204

Total Applications: 16,814

 

Geographic representation: Midshipmen were admitted from 49 states in the Nation, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.

 

Internation students: The Class of 2030 has 14 international students from Albania (1), Cyprus (1), Egypt (1), Indonesia (1), Japan (1), Jordan (1), Morocco (1), Republic of Korea (1), Pakistan (1), Peru (1), Singapore (1), Taiwan (1), Thailand (1), Turkey (1)

 

 

Educational background: 194 from Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, R.I., of those 35 Navy and 7 Marine Corps are prior enlisted. 49 from the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Program/Civilian Prep Programs

 

Total prior enlisted: Navy - 45; Marine Corps - 11; Total: 56

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Make your gift today and help launch the year ahead from a position of strength

The Naval Academy Fund provides flexible support that strengthens programs, leadership development and priorities across the Yard—helping prepare future leaders for service to our nation. Because unrestricted support can be directed where it is needed most, the Naval Academy Fund allows Academy leadership to respond quickly to emerging opportunities and critical needs that directly impact the midshipman experience. As the fiscal year comes to a close on 30 June, your year-end support helps ensure the Academy enters the next academic year ready to continue developing leaders of character for our Navy, Marine Corps and nation. Make your gift today and help launch the year ahead from a position of strength.

The United States Naval Academy is bringing back a requirement that female plebes, or first year students, cut their hair to chin length. Female first-year students had to arrive at the Annapolis campus on Thursday with a bob or have their hair cut at a “processing station” for Induction Day, the official start of their seven-week “plebe summer” program. Male students were required to shave their heads. The haircut requirement for women marks the return of a tradition that ran from 1976, when female students were first admitted to the academy, until 2019. The change seven years ago followed efforts to create a more inclusive environment and match Navy standards for women of varying hair textures.

Time is running out — Submit 2026 Thriving As Leaders nominations before 1 July 2026!

Time is running out to recognize a USNA alum who truly stands out. Nominate a fellow member for the 2026 Thriving As Leaders Awards and shine a spotlight on the leadership and service they demonstrate in command, citizenship and government. The process is quick, meaningful and a powerful way to celebrate their impact. Nominations close 1 July 2026—submit yours today and make sure great leadership doesn’t go unrecognized.

Government & Military News

As directed by the War Department, U.S. Southern Command is working with the State Department to support U.S. government relief operations in Venezuela in response to the devastating 24 June earthquakes. Southcom is moving quickly to bring unmatched airlift, logistics and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the nation of Venezuela during this crisis. The command has established an operational planning team that includes experienced subject matter experts from the Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response, who are advising staff and leaders responsible for disaster relief planning and mission-related decisions.

Marines deployed to Haiti found themselves under fire and shooting back, several times last year, their commander recently told reporters at a media roundtable. “There were multiple engagements at the embassy in Haiti, in which we received and returned fire,” Col Tom “Banshee” Trimble said on Tuesday. Trimble served as commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which recently returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, after a 10-month deployment. During that time, Marines with the unit were dispatched to Haiti from August to December 2025 to protect the U.S. embassy amid growing violence from criminal gangs, which are estimated to control up to 90% of the country’s capital city, Port-au-Prince.

Local, Education & other academy news

A Marine captain born in Honduras and adopted at 6 months old is now training the next generation of military aviators at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. Capt Roberto Schwartzky ’17 is an instructor pilot with Training Squadron 28 and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. "I was born in Honduras and I was adopted when I was 6 months old and I moved to New Jersey and lived there right until I went to boot camp," Schwartzky said. His path to military service was shaped by a sense of gratitude toward the country that raised him.

Remembering the Capital Gazette five

As a valued media partner and an enduring voice in the Annapolis community, the Capital Gazette has helped tell the stories of the U.S. Naval Academy, its midshipmen and generations of alumni who have gone on to serve our nation. We remember the five Capital Gazette staff members who lost their lives eight years ago: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters. We honor their legacy, the resilience of the Capital Gazette newsroom and the vital role of a free and independent press. Their commitment to storytelling, public service and community continues to inspire all who value the power of local journalism. We will never forget.

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