7 July Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 7 July 2026

1908 - The destroyer Decatur (Destroyer No.5) runs aground in Batangas Harbor south of Manila Bay, Philippines. The ship’s commanding officer, ENS Chester W. Nimitz ’05, USN, faces a court-martial, but is found guilty of only “neglect of duty,” thus preserving the career of the man who will go on to command the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II.

 

1941 - The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was activated at Quantico, Virginia. Within a year of activation, the Wing would participate in the Marine Corps offensive at Guadalcanal. That bitter campaign would be the first in a series of legendary battles in which the Wing would add luster to its reputation. The 1stMAW would earn five Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry in campaigns spanning World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

 

1965 - MIDN Robert Bossert ’67, USN, was lost when the helicopter he was aboard crashed near Jacksonville, Florida. The pilot and a crewman were also killed. He was aboard the aircraft as a part of his summer training; another 2/c Midshipman was severely injured. Robert was survived by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. (The Alumni Association has lost contact with the family. If you know how to contact them please email [email protected].) Other alumni lost on this day are listed at Virtual Memorial Hall

 

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

The Class of 1980 celebrated an important anniversary Monday…the 50th Anniversary of their Induction Day. On 6 July 1976…1295 Midshipmen entered with the Class of 1980. Induction Day, the start of a grueling Plebe Summer, kicked off for the class of 1980 on 6 July 1976. Among the midshipmen arriving on the Yard that day were the first 81 women selected to enroll at the U.S. Naval Academy, their presence a consequence of an ongoing sea change in cultural attitudes toward women. Four years later, 55 women midshipmen who met that daunting challenge were commissioned with the class of 1980, creating a legacy that has endured for 50 years. On 28 May 1980, 946 midshipmen graduated. Please enjoy this perspective on this anniversary and the legacy of 50 Years of Women and the first Co-Ed class in the U.S. Naval Institute at the article below.

VADM Joe Cahill, USN, relieved U.S. Navy VADM Brendan McLane ’90, USN (Ret.), as commander, Naval Surface Forces and commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP), during a change of command ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California on 3 July 2026. During his tenure, McLane released “The Competitive Edge 2.0”, an improved surface force strategy for sustained development, fleet alignment, and increased production of ships to the fleet. McLane oversaw a continued push for fleet readiness exemplified by the re-establishment of Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) commands. SIMA is designed to increase Navy self-sufficiency by giving Sailors intermediate-level technical expertise during their shore tour to increase knowledge and reduce the need for maintenance by contractors. McLane will now retire from the U.S. Navy to conclude more than 36 years of dedicated service.

The San Diego Naval Academy Chapter welcomed the Class of 2029 for their Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) visit to Southern California. CORTRAMID is a summer training program that gives rising second class midshipmen firsthand exposure to Navy and Marine Corps communities as they explore potential warfare specialties. The Class of 1979 Another Link in the Chain (ALITC) program, along with alumni from many other classes, helped make the new youngsters feel welcome in San Diego with refreshments, hamburgers, chips and desserts. The gathering highlighted the important role Chapters and ALITC play in supporting midshipmen. Chapters connect alumni within their local communities while strengthening ties to the Naval Academy. Through ALITC, alumni classes build relationships with current midshipmen, providing encouragement, mentorship and support throughout their Academy journey.

Chuck Geyer ’75 and Jensin Sommer ’91 both exhibited impressive performances at the VA Golden Age Games held in Tampa Fl from 27 June - 2 July . Geyer earned a Gold in the Powerwalk with a personal best performance, while Sommer hauled in a Gold in Pickleball Mixed Doubles, a Silver in Women’s Doubles and added another Silver to her count in Badminton Doubles. Chuck and Jensin also had impressive performances in additional sports, which qualify them for the US National Senior Games in 2027. Rhonda Geyer, a proud veteran and key component on “Team Geyer” in Badminton and Pickleball also qualified for the NSGA next year.

 

Inspired by programs that promote healthy aging, fitness and recreation, VA initiated the National Veterans Golden Age Games in 1985 to underscore the preventive and therapeutic value of sports medicine for older Veterans who receive health care at VA facilities. The mission was clear—encourage physical activity through competitive sports for positive outcomes and better health and wellness.

 

Today, the National Veterans Golden Age Games is 40 years strong and the only multi-sport competition in the world designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities. VA hosts the event in a new city each year as Veterans look forward to a reunion with their community of brothers and sisters, just as they did in military service.

Government & Military News

Chief of U.S. Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle joins 'Fox & Friends' following a historic multi-fleet assembly in New York Harbor to mark America's 250th anniversary. Caudle breaks down the deployment of over 30 warships while revealing how the military is actively exploring a 'Finland model' partnership with foreign allies to break through domestic manufacturing bottlenecks and aggressively meet the President's 350-ship readiness target.

The U.S. Navy on Monday called off its search for a sailor who disappeared after the helicopter they were aboard made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea, the service said. The aircrewman went missing Wednesday after their MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush, went down at 3:30 a.m. ET. The helicopter contained three other crew members who were successfully rescued. “The efforts concluded following an extensive search by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” the Navy said.

Local, Education & other academy news

Nathan Pine is out as the athletic director at Air Force, the school announced Friday night. In a statement, the school said the Department of the Air Force had informed the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation that Pine's service in that role was "no longer accepted." No further explanation was provided, but sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Thursday that Pine was pushed out at the urging of outgoing superintendent Lt Gen Tony D. Bauernfeind. Nancy Hixson will step in on an interim basis.

The Navy Old Goats once again demonstrated the strength of the Navy Lacrosse Brotherhood at the 2026 Vail Lacrosse Shootout in Vail, Colorado, with the organization’s 40+, 50+ and 60+ teams delivering impressive performances and continuing a tradition of excellence that spans more than three decades.

 

More than 1,000 parents, players, family members and supporters attend the summer long tournament, which features competitors ranging from 19 to 70 years old. Representing the tournament-playing arm of the Navy Lacrosse Brotherhood, the Navy Old Goats celebrated their 35th anniversary season in 2026.

 

The program is led by Syd Abernethy ’81 and Sean Logan ’85, who organize and oversee the Navy Old Goats’ 60+, 50+ and 40+ teams. ADM Tim Keating ’71 serves as team sponsor. The organization traces its roots to the early 1990s, when Mike Gottleib ’70 led the inaugural Navy Old Goats team.

 

Abernethy and Logan also serve as captains of the 60+ squad, while Tim McElligatt ’89 captains the 50+ team. Chris Kiesel ’02 and Paul Haberlein ’03 lead the 40+ team. Looking ahead, the organization plans to add a 30+ team in 2027, creating a mentoring pipeline that connects Navy Old Goats players with current and future Navy lacrosse players.

The 60+ team captured the 2026 Vail Shootout championship with an 8-4 victory over a seasoned Texas squad. The win served as a measure of redemption after falling to the same Texas team in the 2025 championship game. The 60+ team finished the tournament undefeated with a 4-0 record.

The 50+ team also enjoyed a successful tournament, posting two victories and ending a five-year winless streak. The team concluded the event with a 2-2 record.

The 40+ team battled its way to the championship game, showcasing determination and resilience against a powerful opponent. The squad finished the tournament with a strong 3-1 record.

As the Navy Old Goats continue to grow, the organization remains committed to fostering lifelong connections through lacrosse while strengthening the bonds between generations of Navy players. Their success in Vail reflects not only competitive achievement, but also the enduring spirit of the Navy Lacrosse Brotherhood.

Have you ever gotten one of those snail mail letters from VA asking for "more information" so they can continue processing your claim? Here's a new way to respond to those requests that eliminates the snail mail and gets your claim back into processing quicker. Please give us some feedback if you have used this new portal.

 

VA is making it easier than ever to keep your claim on track. With the new Claim Assist Portal, you’ll have a faster, more convenient way to respond when additional information is needed.

 

If you’ve filed a benefits claim, you may receive an email with a direct link to the portal, helping you respond quickly and confidently so your claim can keep moving forward. No paperwork, scanning or searching through VA.gov required.

 

Fast notifications – You’ll get an email and subsequent SMS text if more information is needed.

 

Secure access – Log in using:

 

The email that received the message.

A temporary password provided in the message.

A time-sensitive verification code sent to your email after you log in using the email address and temporary password.

 

Simple responses – You may need to check a box, type a short answer to a question or digitally sign a form online.

 

Trusted sender – Messages will come from “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ([email protected]),” a known VA Notify email address that should not go to your spam folder.

 

Faster processing – Responding through the portal helps move your claim forward faster.

 

Watch for a message – If VA needs more info, you’ll get an email and SMS text.

Open the portal – Click the link and follow the instructions to log in.

Respond to the request – Follow the steps in the portal to respond.

Helping you stay on track

 

The Claim Assist Portal makes it easier for you to respond when VA needs more information, so your claim can move forward without delays. It’s fast, secure and built to save you time. This is another step VA is taking to simplify the claims process and better support you every step of the way.

 

Using the portal is not a requirement. You can continue to use mail as an option, but the Claim Assist Portal offers a faster, more convenient alternative.

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