16 September Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 16 September 2026

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic ‘11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It’s a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic ‘11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.

today in u.s. navy and marine corps history

1814 - A detachment of Marines under Major Daniel Carmick from the Naval Station at New Orleans, together with an Army detachment, destroyed a pirate stronghold at Barataria, on the Island of Grande Terre, near New Orleans.

 

1861 - A board appointed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles recommends the construction of the first three ironclads—Galena, Monitor, and New Ironsides.

 

1917 - U-61 attacks the destroyer Cassin (DD-43) in the waters off Mine Head, Ireland, launching a torpedo at the port side of the ship. On board the destroyer, Gunner’s Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram attempts to release the depth charges at the ship’s stern before the torpedo hits Cassin. However, he is unsuccessful and is blown overboard. Ingram is the first enlisted U.S. Navy Sailor killed in action during World War I. For his heroic effort to save the ship, Ingram is awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

 

1944 - Lieutenant Arthur M. Preston leads motor torpedo boats PT-489 and PT-363 through 60 miles of heavily mined waters and, despite being repeatedly fired on by Japanese shore batteries, presses forward through an 11 mile channel into Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island, East Indonesia. There, within 150 yards of enemy guns on shore, Preston’s PTs pull downed fighter pilot Ensign Harold A. Thompson from the water. During their high-speed retirement, the PTs sink a small cargo vessel. Under almost continuous fire for two and one-half hours, Preston and his crew successfully execute a mission deemed “suicidal in its tremendous hazards.” For heroism above and beyond the call of duty, Preston receives the Medal of Honor.

 

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

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

Academy & Graduate happenings

The loss of a fellow U.S. Naval Academy classmate inspired LCDR Jordan Foley ’12, USN, to create a new mission focused on helping veterans find purpose after military service. After his friend died by suicide while struggling to launch a business, Foley founded Let’s Chow in 2020, a nonprofit incubator that helps veterans and military spouses build culinary businesses through mentorship, food trucks and entrepreneurial support.

 

Today, Let’s Chow partners with the Robert Irvine Foundation and provides veterans with resources ranging from marketing and accounting assistance to startup funding and business guidance. One beneficiary is Stephen Meidus ’13, a former Navy SEAL officer and Naval Academy graduate whose company, Voyager Cold Brew, expanded after receiving support from the program. While Let’s Chow is not a mental health organization, Foley believes purpose, connection and community can play an important role in suicide prevention. His goal is to honor his friend’s memory by helping veterans overcome challenges, build successful businesses and know they are not alone.

The White House has formally nominated three leaders for top civilian positions in the Department of the Navy: Hung Cao ’96 for Secretary of the Navy, CAPT Bill Toti ’79, USN (Ret.) for Under Secretary of the Navy and VADM Richard Breckenridge ’82, USN (Ret.) for Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. The nomination of Hung Cao is particularly notable for Naval Academy alumni. A 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former explosive ordnance disposal and diving officer, Cao has been serving as acting Navy secretary since April. Because he retired from active duty in 2021, he will require congressional waivers before he can be confirmed. The nominations come as the Navy undertakes major shipbuilding, acquisition and industrial base reforms.

Georgia Military College marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with its annual Patriot Day observance, honoring the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks, first responders and those who served and sacrificed during the Global War on Terror. Cadets gathered on Grand Parade Field as a howitzer fired at the times each attack occurred, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and Taps. RADM Thomas C. Lynch ’64, USN (Ret.), a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former superintendent, delivered the keynote address, urging attendees to remember both how those lost died and how they lived. Students also participated in memorial tributes and Patriot Day essay competitions.

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 14 September 2026, based on Navy and public data.

Iranian attacks during Operation Epic Fury damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Oman and Jordan, while several U.S. diplomatic facilities also sustained damage. The report estimated the cost of U.S. military operations at $33.4 billion as of late June, excluding future infrastructure repairs. It also confirmed significant aircraft losses, including F-15Es, helicopters and numerous MQ-9 Reaper drones. As of late 18 August, U.S. service members had been killed, with reported injuries ranging from 417 to more than 700 personnel.

Data from the Marine Corps shows that more than 90% of female Marines in combat specialties are successfully meeting the new sex-neutral fitness standards implemented earlier this year. The change followed a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requiring uniform fitness standards for men and women serving in combat roles. Under the updated policy, combat Marines must score at least 210 out of 300 points on the annual physical fitness test. According to Marine Corps data, 91.38% of female Marines and 96.53% of male Marines in combat arms have passed the new standard. Of the 422 women currently serving in Marine combat specialties, 400 have completed the test under the revised scoring system. Advocates say the results demonstrate that women can meet the tougher requirements, although some experts note the new scoring system could affect promotion competitiveness because women may receive lower overall scores for identical performances that previously earned higher marks.

Local, Education & other academy news

Join the United States Navy Memorial Sunday, 20 September, as the Washington Commanders take on the Dallas Cowboys—and cheer on the Burgundy & Gold with fellow members of the military and veteran community at the Navy Memorial. We’ll have the game on the big screen in the Arleigh & Roberta Burke Theatre, with special appearances by Major Tuddy, Command Force and a Commanders Legend—plus food catered by Paisano’s.

The watch party is open to current service members, veterans, and families, who may each bring up to three guests. Guests do not need to have a military affiliation. Space is limited and registration is required.

No rushing home to catch kickoff. No checking the score under the table. No spending Saturday yelling at the TV. Navy has a bye — so the Southern Maryland Navy family is calling the play. Join us for whiskey, great company, and absolutely zero opportunity for Navy football to ruin your blood pressure.

 

Date: Saturday, 19 September

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Tobacco Barn Distillery (24460 Hollywood Rd, Hollywood, MD 20636)

 

Alumni, active duty, veterans, family, friends — all are welcome. Shane put together a great afternoon for us. Let’s give the TV a bye week too, pack Tobacco Barn, raise a glass with Bill the Goat, and enjoy some time with the Navy family. Whiskey. Navy family. No Navy game competing for your attention. And since we don't actually play Army until December, we can start practicing now: BEAT ARMY!

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

Former Navy varsity and club athletes are invited to reconnect with teammates and friends while supporting Navy Men's and Women's Soccer at the Army-Navy Cup XV, presented by Leidos, on Friday, 9 October 2026, at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.

Schedule

The tailgate, held inside Subaru Park between matches, includes complimentary food and beverages for invited letterwinners and former athletes. Guests may be added for an additional fee through the RSVP form. A game ticket is required to access the tailgate area. Please RSVP by 1 October 2026. Questions? Contact Caitlin Kane at [email protected] or (410) 293-8761.

Built on honor. Forged through tradition. Navy Football will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its 1926 national championship team by wearing special throwback-inspired uniforms when the Midshipmen face Notre Dame on 31 October at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The commemorative Under Armour design pays tribute to Navy’s only football national championship team, which finished the 1926 season undefeated at 9-0-1. The uniforms feature the era’s iconic “Chevron Stripe” look, with nine stripes representing the team’s nine victories and details inspired by Naval Academy artifacts from the Class of 1926. The 1926 squad, led by first-year head coach Bill Ingram, capped its historic season with a 21-21 Army-Navy tie before more than 110,000 fans and earned recognition as national champion by contemporary selectors.

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Army-Navy Star Series matchups:

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