24 September Daily Shipmate

Thursday, 24 September 2026

today in u.s. navy and marine corps history

1911 - A landing party from the gunboat Pampanga captures Mundang on the island of Basilan, Philippines, after a fiercely fought engagement in which the bluejackets brave intense fire to root out the defenders from concealed positions in huts. Five sailors receive the Medal of Honor for their actions in the close quarters engagement.

 

1918 - Lieutenant David S. Ingalls, a member of the First Yale Unit, shoots down his fifth enemy aircraft while flying a Sopwith Camel of the Royal Air Force’s Number 213 Squadron. Thus, Ingalls becomes the U.S. Navy’s first and only ace of World War I. He later serves as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air.

 

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

1911 - ENS Charles Hovey ’07, USN

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

Academy & Graduate happenings

Most people will never need to understand the physics behind quantum technology. What they do need to know is that it could become the next technological revolution, affecting everything from cybersecurity and banking to medicine, navigation and national defense. That potential impact was the focus of the UK-US Quantum Security Forum, hosted at the U.S. Naval Academy this week.The forum brought together experts to discuss the rapidly evolving field of quantum technology and its implications for national security, economic competitiveness and innovation.

 

Once viewed as a subject reserved for research laboratories, quantum computing, sensing, communications and security are moving closer to real-world applications. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields ranging from healthcare and transportation to cybersecurity and defense. At the same time, it could challenge the digital protections that safeguard financial systems, communications networks and critical infrastructure.

 

For the Naval Academy, the focus is on preparing future leaders for a world where artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber operations, space capabilities and quantum technologies increasingly intersect. As quantum technology advances, developing the talent, partnerships and expertise needed to understand and employ these capabilities has become a strategic priority. The forum highlighted the importance of collaboration between allies as the United States and the United Kingdom work to remain at the forefront of one of the most significant technological developments of the 21st century.

This series is designed to support parents at every stage of the Naval Academy experience. Each year, parents are invited to a webinar tailored specifically to their midshipman's class, offering timely insights, helpful resources, and the chance to connect with fellow parents. You'll also learn how philanthropy enhances the midshipman journey, from Plebe Summer to Commissioning Week.

 

Save the dates for these events and be sure to register below!

 

📌 28 September: Class of 2030 Parents

📌 29 September: Class of 2029 Parents

📌 30 September: Class of 2028 Parents

📌 1 October: Class of 2027 Parents

 

From the Podcast Fleet

When NASA calls and says they can connect your podcast to the International Space Station (ISS), there is only one answer: let’s do it! Before the interview even began, U.S. Naval Academy alumnus and NASA astronaut CDR Jack Hathaway ’04, USN, greeted us with a flip in zero gravity, making it clear this would be anything but an ordinary podcast. We have video of the whole conversation, flips included.

 

In this special episode of Voices From Orbit, Hathaway joins us live from orbit as part of Expeditions 74 and 75 to share what life is really like aboard the ISS. From watching Earth roll by 250 miles below to conducting groundbreaking research with 3D printers in microgravity and mastering the art of floating through the whole length of the station without touching a handrail, Hathaway offers a firsthand look at humanity's out-of-this-world frontier. He also reflects on the unique bond among Naval Academy graduates who have become astronauts and the lessons passed from one generation to the next. It's a conversation with a fellow Naval Academy graduate living and working in space, complete with zero-gravity acrobatics, stories from orbit and a podcast interview beamed directly from the ISS.

Trust us. This is a must-WATCH episode. But if you want to listen, links are down below.

Mike James, publisher of The Mid Report and color commentator for the Navy Football Radio Network, joins to preview Friday night's road game against Alabama-Birmingham. Also, we introduce our listeners to Tim Nolan, Director of Creative Content for Navy Athletics. Greg Morgenthaler, Navy associate athletic director for equipment services, talks about the commemorative uniforms Navy football will wear against Notre Dame.

Government & Military News

After three years of near-continuous combat operations in the Middle East, the U.S. Navy is changing how it supplies and maintains deployed warships. Navy leaders said extended deployments, high operational demands and limited access to traditional logistics hubs have forced ships to carry more spare parts and perform more repairs while underway. At the same time, the Navy is preparing for a surge of maintenance work as ships return home from prolonged deployments. To avoid overwhelming shipyards, leaders are shifting toward a “maintenance continuum” approach that emphasizes earlier repairs, expanded sailor-led maintenance and improved planning. The service is also testing new diagnostic tools and artificial intelligence to help identify problems before they become major casualties. Officials said fleet performance in combat has remained strong despite the challenges.

The United States and United Kingdom successfully launched a U.S. Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo from the Royal Navy’s experimental extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle (XLUUV) XV Excalibur during a Sept. 13 test in Scotland. The demonstration marked the first time a U.S. heavyweight torpedo has been fired from a British autonomous submarine and serves as a major milestone for the AUKUS partnership’s Pillar 2 technology initiatives. Officials said the test proved allied forces can integrate weapons, software and autonomous platforms across national boundaries, increasing interoperability and combat capability. The effort, known as Project Broadsword, was approved in February and completed in less than seven months. The successful launch is expected to accelerate development of future uncrewed undersea systems capable of surveillance, strike missions, anti-submarine warfare and protection of critical undersea infrastructure, with additional testing planned under Project Cutlass.

Local, Education & other academy news

One of the Naval Academy’s most anticipated traditions returns this Halloween season as the annual USNA Halloween Concert transforms the Main Chapel into an unforgettable spectacle of music, drama, dance, lighting and special effects. Featuring Chapel Organist Monte Maxwell and the extraordinary talents of the Brigade of Midshipmen, the concert has become a favorite fall event for audiences of all ages. The program showcases a wide variety of musical genres, including the iconic Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, in a thrilling production that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and All Saints’ Day.

 

Performance dates:

Doors open 45 minutes before each performance. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy pre-show entertainment and secure the best available seats. ADA-accessible seating is available, and a free shuttle will operate from the former NEX site on Kinkaid Road for all performances. With incredible performances, theatrical effects and a crowd-pleasing grand finale, this unique Academy tradition promises an evening of excitement that audiences will not soon forget. Tickets are available now.

myUSNA is quickly becoming the first place alumni turn for breaking news, event registration and meaningful connections across the Naval Academy community. Often, the latest updates reach myUSNA before any other alumni channel, giving members early access to the news and information that matters most. Whether you're registering for a reunion, finding an event near you, reconnecting with classmates or expanding your professional network, myUSNA is where connections happen. Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay connected to the people who shared the experience that helped shape your life.

 

Login to myUSNA today and strengthen the bonds that last a lifetime.

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

Navy Hockey Home Opener this weekend

Join us this weekend for lots of Navy Hockey action, as the teams host their first home games of the season! The Coach's Corner will be open on the second deck on Friday, and the Men's D1 game on Saturday at 5:30pm. Swing by for beverages, snacks and a great view of the game!

Senior offensive guard Hoke Smith II meets with the media ahead of Navy’s Friday night game at UAB

A Birmingham native and the son of Naval Academy graduate and Naval Academy Athletic Foundation trustee Helen Bloom Smith ’94, Smith has been a mainstay on Navy’s offensive line since earning a starting role late in his sophomore season. Returning home for a matchup in front of family and friends, Smith discusses what it means to play in his hometown, the influence of his Naval Academy roots, and the legacy he hopes to leave in Annapolis. Watch the video interview above.

Men's Water Polo at Air Force - Colorado Springs, Colo. - 8:30 p.m.

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Army-Navy Star Series matchups:

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