11 August Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

photo of the day

The Mulekicker Trophy, a short history:

 

Ted Digges '85 (left) is USNA graduate and played football under George Welsch, then Gary Tranquill. He was commissioned in the Supply Corps and completed a 27 year career, retiring as a CAPT. Digges' brother-in-law, John Spinetto (right), is a retired Army LtCol, who is not a West Point grad, but had a very interesting Army career.  After retirement, he went to work for Ernst and Young, rising to a senior VP and now retired a second time.

 

John and Ted would "smack talk" about the Army-Navy game over the years. In 2004, they decided to formalize the banter by creating the "Mulekicker Trophy." John designed the trophy (a Navy football being kicked by two Army mules) and Ted used his football connections to get a Navy football signed by the 2004 team, which had a 10-2 record under Paul Johnson (the first Navy team to win 10 games since 1905).

 

The "Mulekicker Trophy presentation" happens each year at a location selected by the winner, with the meal (with wives) paid by the loser.  After the meal, the loser stands in the restaurant, clinks his glass with a fork to get all the patrons attention, and proceeds to recite a poem related to the previous Army Navy football game.  The trophy has a glass case around it and is adorned by a gold or black plate, depending on who won, with the score of each game since 2004.  This year, the Mulekicker Trophy was presented for the first time at West Point in the Thayer Hotel restaurant.  

1942 - LCDR Henry Batterton, Class of 1923, USN was lost when a “signal depth charge” – perhaps a training depth charge – accidentally exploded aboard his vessel while off Port Angeles, Washington. He had been active in minesweeping and patrol duties. “Soc” came to the Naval Academy from Malaga, Washington, via the Marion Institute, Alabama. Following graduation, he served aboard battleships and then mostly aboard destroyers, going ashore for the first time in 1935 at the Naval War College and then the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. In late 1937 he was back at sea aboard the cruiser USS San Francisco, then took command of USS Eagle (PE 57) in 1940. Henry was married twice; his first wife remarried to his classmate CDR Louis Drexler '23, USN, who was killed in action at Okinawa. Henry was survived by his wife, two children from his first marriage and his mother. Other alumni lost on this day are listed at Virtual Memorial Hall.

 

1958 - As part of an exploratory voyage to the Arctic region of the globe, the nuclear-powered Skate (SNN-578) becomes the first submarine to surface at the North Pole when its sail breaks through the ice.

 

1965 - An A-4E Skyhawk of Attack Squadron (VA) 23 from the aircraft carrier Midway (CVA-41) is shot down over North Vietnam, the first confirmed loss of a Navy aircraft to a surface-to-air missile.

 

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

Alumni Business Spotlight: Severn Strategy

Evan McNeer '06 and Andy Storey (Royal Navy Exchange Midshipman '01) are the founders of Severn Strategy, an executive advisory firm that helps organizations achieve their business objectives by shaping strategy, redesigning operating models, and operationalizing AI to create measurable business value. Drawing on their experience as U.S. Navy and Royal Navy officers, along with careers spanning management consulting, executive leadership, technology, and AI research and education—including Andy's work teaching and researching artificial intelligence at Harvard—they partner with organizations across the public and private sectors to solve complex business challenges. Their work helps leaders improve organizational performance, strengthen resilience, prepare for high-consequence events, and execute strategy with confidence in an increasingly complex world. Evan and Andy founded Severn Strategy on the belief that AI is not the strategy—it is an enabler. Lasting value comes from aligning strategy, operating models, leadership, and technology to improve decision-making and execution. They enjoy connecting with fellow Naval Academy alumni and welcome opportunities to collaborate with alumni, alumni-led organizations, investors, executives, and leadership teams tackling complex business challenges.

Hampton Roads Chapter alumni hit the ball field with Song '19

On Friday night, 31 July, four Hampton Roads Chapter alumni had the opportunity to get together with former Navy pitcher Noah Song '19 who was in Norfolk with the Boston Red Sox AAA affiliate Worcester Red Sox who were in town to play the Baltimore Orioles AAA affiliate Norfolk Tides. Song was gracious and accommodating as he came out prior to the game to chat, take some pictures and sign a few autographs. He really appreciated all four alumni made the time to come out for a visit; and when asked could only recall one other occasion when USNA alumni made a similar effort.

 

Pictured above, left to right: George Herning '77, Dick Enderly '71, Noah Song '19, Bill Daniels '77 and Ken Marks '71.

Calling all regular members of the USNA Alumni Association: In May 2027, ADM Mark Ferguson III '78, USN (Ret.), chair of the USNA Alumni Association Board of Trustees, will complete six years on the Board. The nomination window for chair candidates from the alumni community to replace Ferguson on the Board opens on 1 August and closes on 1 September 2026. The Board chair serves a term of three years, and is eligible for a second term of three years. The next chair will serve on the Board from May 2027 to May 2030. Any regular member of the Alumni Association can nominate any regular member for chair – self nominations are permitted. Regular members should use the nomination form at the link below to make their nominations by 1 September 2026.

 

Per the Board's bylaws, the Board's Nominating committee will consider all nominees and select a single nominee for approval by the Board at the fall 2026 meeting in November. As always, we encourage nominees who represent our alumni community's great variety of experience and background. Make your voice heard in our community by nominating a worthy member to be chair. Please contact the Board Secretary Wes Huey '87 with questions and comments.

From the Podcast Fleet

We're back, people! What started as something to kill time during Covid has turned into an amazing engagement opportunity for all of us as we bring you the stories BEHIND the stories of how our alums make In happen from the Fleet to the C-Suite. Men and Women of character and consequence sharing their visions...their perspectives...and their leadership advice on this Ted Talk-like pod. This week...Chris Servello '99 and USNA AA&F Executive Communications Director John Schofield bring the pod back where it all started - Dry 85. We chat about Plebe Parents Weekend and the upcoming Ac Year. And our guests this week break it down on the impact of giving back. Setting the "BLUE AND GOLD STANDARD" is the great class of 1972. Jeff Beard '72 and John Dillon '72 join the pod to talk about class giving and their thoughts on what makes USNA special today. That and more on Sing Second. Beat Army. Always. 

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of 10 August 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. 

The U.S. Naval Academy has produced 56 NASA astronauts, a remarkable legacy that spans from the earliest days of the space program to today's missions. Generations of Naval Academy graduates have leveraged the leadership, engineering knowledge and operational experience gained during their military careers to excel in the demanding world of space exploration. Among those alumni are Alan Shepard '44, the first American in space, and Charlie Duke '57, the youngest person ever to walk on the moon and one of only three Naval Academy graduates to do so. Many astronauts followed paths through military aviation, test pilot programs and other high-stakes operational assignments before earning selection by NASA, underscoring the Academy's long-standing connection to exploration, innovation and service beyond Earth.

 

Inspire future generations through Voices from Orbit, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation's new podcast featuring conversations with Naval Academy alumni who have helped shape the past, present and future of space exploration. The series launched with Duke and will spotlight the remarkable journeys of Academy graduates whose service has taken them beyond Earth.

USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) has become the first Navy carrier equipped with an Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC), a key step toward integrating the MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A is designed to take over aerial refueling duties currently performed by F/A-18 Super Hornets, allowing those aircraft to focus on combat missions. According to a Pentagon acquisition report, Theodore Roosevelt became the first fully operational and deployable MQ-25-capable carrier in March 2026. The UAWC includes the systems needed to command and control the unmanned aircraft at sea, marking a significant milestone in the Navy's push toward carrier-based unmanned aviation. The MQ-25 program entered low-rate initial production earlier this year after nearly eight years of development since Boeing received the original contract in 2018. With Theodore Roosevelt now ready to support MQ-25 operations, the Navy is one step closer to fielding the Stingray and expanding the reach and effectiveness of future carrier air wings.

Local, Education & other academy news

The U.S. Air Force Academy has launched a major academic restructuring effort, creating four new schools designed to better integrate cadets' education and improve oversight across the faculty. Previously, all 20 academic departments reported directly to the dean. Under the new model, each school will oversee related disciplines and help shape a more cohesive educational experience for cadets. Brig. Gen. James Valpiani, the Academy's Dean of Faculty, introduced the new deans who will lead the schools. Philosophy professor Mark Jensen will head the School of Integrated General Studies, which will oversee the Academy's extensive core curriculum. History professor Col. Meg Martin will lead the School of Integrative Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; biology professor Col. Steven Hasstedt will direct the School of Integrative Basic Sciences; and Col. James Gresham will oversee the Integrative School of Engineering Science. Academy leaders say the changes are intended to create a more connected, interdisciplinary education and support future curriculum updates.

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

The Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA is a year-long rivalry competition featuring designated head-to-head contests across more than two dozen varsity sports. While Army and Navy may meet multiple times in some sports, only selected "Star" matchups count toward the overall series standings. Each victory earns a Star for the winning academy, and at the end of the academic year, the school with the most Stars claims the series trophy.

 

Navy enters the new season as the defending Star Series champion after capturing the 2025-26 title. With bragging rights on the line and the storied Army-Navy rivalry extending far beyond football, every Star matchup carries added significance as the Midshipmen look to defend their crown and once again prove that Navy is the better side of the rivalry. Check back throughout the year as Daily Shipmate follows every Star contest and keeps you updated on Navy's quest to beat Army and retain the Star Series trophy.

Men's Soccer at Delaware (Preseason) - Newark, DE - 7:00 p.m.

Star Series matchups:

USNA and AA&F Events

USNA AA&F resources & Links

Login to MyUSNA | Daily Shipmate Archives | USNA AA&F Obituaries

New Releases | Alumni Support Services | Alumni Directory