14 September Daily Shipmate

Monday, 14 September 2026

today in u.s. navy and marine corps history

1950- The battleship Missouri arrives in South Korean waters and bombards a bridge near Samchok, unleashing 50 16-inch projectiles that demolish the bridge.

 

2001 - The hospital ship Comfort (T-AH-20) arrives at Pier 92 in New York City to provide medical services to survivors of the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center and to emergency services personnel.

 

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.

In Memoriam from usna memorial hall

1997 - LT Jason Jakubowski ’93, USN

Other alumni lost on this day are listed at Virtual Memorial Hall.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Twenty-five years ago, Navy LT Kevin Shaeffer ’94, USN (Ret.) was one of the few people to survive the attack in the Navy Command Center of the Pentagon. Shaeffer and his colleagues were watching the attacks on the World Trade Center on television when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the building, engulfing their section in a fireball. Geoff Bennett of PBS spoke with Shaeffer about what he experienced on that day and the 25 years since. From the interview:

“And I heard in that moment someone yell out for the ring cutters. And that also made me mad, and I yelled out: ‘Stop, stop, and they froze.’ And really with all the strength that I could muster in that moment, I took off my wedding band on my left hand and my Naval Academy class ring on my right hand, and I handed them over to a nurse nearby. And I said, OK, to myself, now they can get on with saving my life. And that was in my last memory of 9/11.”

In this issue of Shipmate, we dedicate much of our coverage to the 25th anniversary of 9/11. We invite you to watch the three videos below from the “Voices” section of ShipmateMagazine.com, where you'll find 9/11 stories from past to present coverage marking this milestone anniversary.

The Name Jonas Panik: 1stLt Andrew Jonas “AJ” Panik ’22, USMC pictured on the cover of this month’s magazine, reflects on his namesake, LT Jonas M. Panik ’97, USN, whose name is engraved in Memorial Hall. AJ shares how the Jonas Panik name is spoken often within his family and always with great honor. Check out our interview with AJ and how he is keeping Jonas’s legacy alive at the link below.

Best Man: We also traveled to the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial and spoke with RADM Dave Thomas ’81, USN (Ret.), who provided a haunting account of that fateful day. Thomas was inside the Pentagon when the plane crashed into it. He fought tirelessly to save everyone he could, but ultimately lost his roommate, best man, classmate and close friend, CAPT Robert E. Dolan ’81, USN, or as Thomas and others knew him as, “Bob.” Watch our interview with Thomas at the link below.

He Lived in the Moment: What does it mean to live a life without regrets? Devora Kirschner, widow of LT Darin Pontell ’98, USN, reflects on the life and legacy of her late husband whose kindness, generosity and love for others continue to inspire future generations of midshipmen. Watch her deeply personal story and the message she hopes everyone carries with them: make every moment count. Watch Kirschner's interview at the link below.

Quantum leaders to convene for U.K.–U.S. Security Forum at Naval Academy

Leading voices from government, academia, industry and defense will gather at the U.S. Naval Academy on 22 September for the inaugural U.K.–U.S. Quantum Security Forum, a working session focused on strengthening collaboration and accelerating the transition of quantum technologies from research to real-world application. The forum will bring together experts from the United States and the United Kingdom to examine opportunities and challenges across quantum computing, quantum security, commercialization, workforce development and national defense applications. Naval Academy Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte ’91, USMC, and Academic Dean Dr. Samara Firebaugh are scheduled to participate in discussions alongside senior leaders from government, research institutions and industry. The event reflects the type of forward-looking technological dialogue that is critical to preparing future naval and military leaders for an increasingly complex security environment. As quantum technologies continue advancing from laboratory concepts toward operational capability, collaboration among government, academia and industry will play a key role in shaping future national security, cybersecurity and economic competitiveness. For the Naval Academy, participation in conversations such as the U.K.–U.S. Quantum Security Forum underscores a commitment to engaging with emerging technologies that will influence future military operations and national security decision-making. As the quantum ecosystem continues to evolve, Academy leaders look forward to exchanging ideas with colleagues from across the U.S. government, industry, academia and allied partners in the United Kingdom while exploring opportunities to advance education, research and innovation in this critical field.

From the Podcast Fleet

Sometimes, instinct tells you something is wrong before you know why. That's what went through 2026 USNA Distinguished Graduate award recipient, NASA astronaut and USNA alum CAPT Chris Cassidy ’93, USN (Ret.)'s mind when fellow spacewalker Luca Parmitano disappeared from view during a spacewalk. Hear the story behind that moment and how, within seconds of their separation, Parmitano's helmet began filling with water, creating one of the most dangerous incidents in spacewalk history. If you haven't yet tuned in to the latest episode of Voices from Orbit, now is the perfect time. Watch the sneak peek above, then click the link below to hear Chris share the full story and the lessons learned from a moment that quickly turned from routine to life-threatening.

Government & Military News

Three ships, one enduring mission: Three Navy warships carry 9/11 legacy

Across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, three U.S. Navy warships carry an enduring physical and symbolic connection to 11 September 2001. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships USS New York (LPD 21), USS Arlington (LPD 24) and USS Somerset (LPD 25) were commissioned to honor the victims, first responders and service members of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Today, all three operate as frontline assets, turning national remembrance into operational readiness and global deterrence. Homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, USS New York maintains a direct physical link to Ground Zero. Its bow incorporates 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center and melted at the Amite Foundry in Louisiana during construction. Throughout the ship, artifacts and memorial tributes remind the crew of the vessel’s namesake purpose during daily evolutions.

Keel laid for future USS John E. Kilmer

The keel for the future USS John E. Kilmer (DDG 134) was laid during a ceremony 10 September at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. A keel laying ceremony represents the joining together of the ship’s first major modular components at land level. During the ceremony, the keel is authenticated when a welder etches the initials of the ship’s sponsor into the keel plate. Mr. Neil W. T. Hogg, Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management, served as guest speaker at the event. “We honor John Kilmer by building a Navy worthy of his legacy,” said Hogg. “The ship that carries his name will bring that same fighting spirit to the Fleet, built by American workers for the Sailors who will take her to sea.”

An exclusive look aboard USS George Washington in its crucial role in the Iran war

USS George Washington, with its approximately 5,000 personnel, fighter jets and munitions, is the backbone of the U.S. military's tactical operation in the Iran war, as well as a primary target of the Tehran regime. A CBS News crew was taken aboard the aircraft carrier this week to get an exclusive look at its latest mission, supporting the U.S. war against Iran from its position in the Arabian Sea near the critical Strait of Hormuz. George Washington was sent to the Middle East last month to replace USS Abraham Lincoln, which came under scrutiny for the length of its deployment, a record nine months and concerns about conditions aboard the carrier and the mental health of its troops.

Local, Education & other academy news

A Portsmouth Navy veteran is reviving a military boxing tradition that disappeared decades ago, bringing it to Williamsburg in December for what could be the biggest military sporting event Hampton Roads has seen in years. Mike Duzant, a former all-military boxing champion, is working with Brikhouse Boxing to organize the event at the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Event Center. It will pit West Point cadets against Naval Academy midshipmen. "Actually in 1985 I was the all-military champion. Which for a Navy guy that was a pretty big thing when you talk about the Army and the Marines, and it stopped, funding has stopped, I don't know what happened in Washington," Duzant said.

Landon Robinson ’26 is preparing for his first NFL game Sunday, but the Cincinnati Bengals rookie defensive end is already making an impact far beyond the football field. Robinson, 23, grew up in Fairlawn. He was an all-state linebacker for the Copley Indians, graduating in 2021, before going on to play defensive tackle at the Naval Academy. He made the Cincinnati Bengals roster as a rookie. Robinson, now a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve, and his mother, Patrice, launched the Landon Robinson Foundation in recent months to increase youth suicide awareness through education, training and programs — connecting with kids to talk about mental health and how to ask for help. "It's truly a blessing to have the platform to be able to push this, but also the resources," Robinson said.

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

Former Navy golf coach Pat Owen to be honored by the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame

The Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class of six inductees. The honorees include Lyndsey Boswell, Brian Burlace, Harry Dobson, Pat Owen and Bill Wagner. John Spinnenweber will be the recipient of the Bernie Walter Memorial Award for longtime, exemplary service to Anne Arundel County athletics. Owen served as the head professional at the Naval Academy Golf Club for 34 years and as the coach of Navy men’s golf for 32 years. Owen led the Midshipmen to seven Patriot League team championships in three different decades (1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2012, 2018). Under his leadership, Owen developed eight Patriot League individual champions, including future PGA Tour member Billy Hurley III. Owen was named Patriot League Coach of the Year nine times — first in 1993, his second season as head coach. He earned NCAA District II Coach of the Year honors in 1996. He closed out his coaching career by leading Navy to victory over rival Army in his final Star Match, marking Owen’s 15th Star Series win.

Navy’s furious comeback falls short in 38-30 loss at Florida Atlantic

Navy nearly pulled off a remarkable second-half comeback, rallying from a 31-point deficit behind backup quarterback Jackson Gutierrez before falling to Florida Atlantic, 38-30, Saturday night at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. The Midshipmen (1-1, 0-1 American Conference) trailed 31-7 at halftime and 38-7 with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter before scoring the final 23 points of the game. Navy outscored the Owls 16-0 in the fourth quarter and held FAU to minus-27 yards of total offense in the final period. Navy was forced to make the comeback without starting quarterback Braxton Woodson, who left the game with an ankle injury with 10:41 remaining in the third quarter. Woodson rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while completing 3 of 11 passes for 47 yards before leaving the game. Gutierrez, who entered the night with just two career passing attempts and no passing yards, took over and accounted for three touchdowns. The junior completed 6 of 12 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns while rushing seven times for 75 yards and another score.

For Army and Navy, the 2001 football game was about so much more

Despite the passage of time, recollections can come rushing back in an instant when 9/11 arrives. The arrival of a landmark date, such as Friday’s 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., heightens the somber remembrance and deep contemplation at what has transpired since. At few places was the impact of 9/11—both in the moment and over the ensuing decades—felt more acutely than by two football teams from the 2001 season: the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen. Months before the pair staged one of the most remarkable games in their illustrious history, both sides were just like most of the country that fateful Tuesday morning, each trying to make sense of what they were seeing.

 

Army-Navy Star Series matchups:

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