30 July Daily Shipmate

Thursday, 30 July 2026

1945 - After delivering top-secret components for the atomic bomb to Tinian in the Marianas, the heavy cruiser Indianapolis (CA-35) steams for Leyte, Philippines. On the evening of 30 July, a torpedo fired from the Japanese submarine I-58 sinks the ship in just 12 minutes. More than 800 members of the crew are able to abandon ship, though the cruiser’s last distress signals are not heard. Aircraft do not spot the survivors of Indianapolis until 2 August, and by that time sharks and the elements have reduced their number to 316 emaciated men. Captain Charles B. McVay III is convicted by court-martial for “suffering a vessel to be hazarded through negligence” by failing to zigzag, the only skipper during World War II to receive such punishment.

 

1987 - LTJG James Lazevnick ’84, USN was lost when the SH-3 Sea King helicopter he was co-piloting crashed while attempting to land aboard USS La Salle (AGF 3) in the Persian Gulf. He was a member of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 2; three other men aboard the helicopter were also killed. Born in Camden, New Jersey, he grew up in Paulsboro and in high school participated in football, basketball, and track. He completed his flight training in March 1986 and was assigned to HC-2 in March 1987. He deployed to the Arabian Gulf in April 1987 and in May helped rescue wounded sailors from USS Stark (FFG 31) following the attack on that ship. James was survived by his wife, parents, two brothers, and a sister. (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

For most families, I-Day is the beginning of a new chapter. For Naval Academy Foundation students, it is the culmination of a journey that began long before they arrived in Annapolis. In this video, meet Brooks, Harry, Katy and Michaela as they take their first steps into the U.S. Naval Academy's class of 2030. After spending a year at Foundation and preparatory schools developing the academic, physical and leadership skills needed to succeed, they arrive at the Yard ready to answer the call to serve.

 

Along the way, we hear from the Jennrich, Franklin, Kasmire and Smith families, who share their hopes, dreams and reflections as they send their sons and daughters into one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Their stories offer a personal look at the dedication, sacrifice and support behind every future midshipman. From preparation and perseverance to pride and possibility, this is the story of four Foundation students, four families and one unforgettable day at the United States Naval Academy.

Government & Military News

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao ’96 announced the appointment of John Cremins ’98 as Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Intelligence and Security (DUSN I&S). Cao said Cremins will help address emerging security challenges driven by rapid technological change, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities and modernizing intelligence and counterintelligence policies. Returning to the Navy team, Cremins brings a combination of special operations experience and private-sector technology leadership. According to Cao, his expertise will help strengthen the Department of the Navy’s intelligence and security framework, ensuring it remains proactive and resilient against future threats.

The U.S. Marine Corps has received its 359th and final MV-22B Osprey, closing a major chapter in a program that transformed Marine aviation. Since entering service in 2007, the tiltrotor aircraft has combined helicopter-like vertical lift with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft, supporting 114 deployments and logging more than 683,000 flight hours. Marine leaders credit the Osprey with expanding the reach and flexibility of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations around the world. With procurement now complete, the Corps will focus on sustaining and modernizing the fleet, which is expected to remain in service through 2055.

Operational security concerns could lead some U.S. troops in the Middle East to surrender their cell phones as military leaders warn that photos and videos shared online may help Iran assess the effectiveness of its attacks. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said social media posts and news coverage containing footage from service members can provide valuable intelligence to adversaries in near real time. According to Reuters, troops in Jordan have been told phone confiscations may be forthcoming, though no final decision has been announced. The warning follows recent Iranian strikes and highlights the growing challenge of balancing connectivity with force protection.

Local, Education & other academy news

This summer, Jess Smith joined the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation as the Foundation Marketing and Communications Intern. Jess is a senior at the University of Miami, where she is studying advertising management and pursuing a minor in French. Her academic background and professional interests have fueled her passion for communications, branding and engagement.

Originally, Jess was born and raised in Germany on an Army base, where she lived until she was 10 years old. Her family later relocated to Severna Park, MD, where she grew up and currently resides. Despite her Army roots, she is proudly embracing the Navy spirit!

One of the things Jess is most excited about in her internship is gaining experience with a wider range of marketing channels. While much of her previous work has focused on social media marketing, she is eager to expand her skills in email and print marketing. She is particularly interested in learning how messaging and design strategies differ across platforms, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of audience engagement and the planning that goes into successful marketing campaigns.

Outside of work and school, Jess has a passion for travel. A major item on her bucket list is to visit every continent, with Antarctica sitting at the top of the list. She hopes to one day experience a whale-watching cruise in Antarctica and continue exploring the world one destination at a time.

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