29 September Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

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today in u.s. navy and marine corps history

1982 - The 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit, consisting of 1,200 Marines, returns to Beirut from Sixth Fleet amphibious ships to serve again as part of a multinational peacekeeping force.

 

2006 - During a mission in the historically violent sector of Ramadi, Iraq, Master-at-Arms Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor sacrificed his life to save his fellow Navy SEALs by jumping on a grenade that had been thrown at their position by an insurgent. Michael Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and the Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) was named in his 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

2000 - LT Bruce Donald ’95, USN

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

Academy & Graduate happenings

For more than three decades, Roswell “Web” Chamberlin and his wife, Beth, opened their Annapolis-area home to more than 80 midshipmen, creating a place of friendship, guidance and belonging for generations of future naval officers.Web took immense pride in the Naval Academy and the young men and women preparing to serve the nation. Together, he and Beth offered midshipmen far more than a place to spend a weekend or holiday. Their home became a refuge from the demands of Academy life, a place to enjoy home-cooked meals, celebrate milestones and build relationships that lasted well beyond graduation and commissioning.

 

A former University of Maryland lacrosse player and graduate assistant coach, Chamberlin remained committed to the sport throughout his life. He helped found the Washington Lacrosse Club, coached youth lacrosse in the Annapolis area, and, alongside Beth, was a loyal supporter of Navy lacrosse for many years. Their support reflected their deep connection to the Academy and its student-athletes. Known for his generosity, mentorship and commitment to service, Chamberlin leaves a lasting legacy through the countless midshipmen, alumni, athletes and families whose lives he touched. His impact lives on in the relationships he built and the Naval Academy community he so proudly supported.

The Brigade brought the energy earlier this week and now the countdown is officially on. Sunday evening kicked off with an electric Beat Air Force Pep Rally as midshipmen gathered in front of Bancroft Hall, rallied behind the team and celebrated one of the Naval Academy's greatest traditions. Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte ’91, USMC, and Commandant of Midshipmen CAPT Clint Cornell ’01, USN, fired up the Brigade, while football captains MIDN 1/C Braxton Woodson and MIDN 1/C Giuseppe Sessi delivered a message of determination ahead of Saturday's showdown. With a dazzling light show, the Spirit Team, the Naval Academy Band and the incomparable Drum & Bugle Corps, the night was a powerful reminder of what makes the Naval Academy special.

 

Now it's our turn. This weekend, Navy alumni, families, parents and friends will carry that same spirit to Colorado Springs for the largest Navy vs. Air Force tailgate before the Midshipmen take on Air Force. If you are in the area and want to be part of the event, be sure to register at the link below. Go Navy! Beat Air Force!

 

From the Podcast Fleet

ICYMI: We didn't interview an astronaut about space — we interviewed him in space

Most people will listen to this episode. You should watch it. NASA connected Voices From Orbit directly to the International Space Station, where U.S. Naval Academy alumnus CDR Jack Hathaway ’04, USN joined us live while orbiting Earth at 17,500 miles per hour. Before the conversation even started, Hathaway floated into view and greeted us with a zero-gravity flip. You're not watching archived footage. You're not watching a documentary. You're watching a fellow Naval Academy graduate living and working aboard the ISS, floating through the station, sharing stories from humanity's frontier in real time.

 

The audio is incredible. The video is unforgettable.

 

Seeing Hathaway move effortlessly through microgravity, demonstrate life aboard the station and speak from 250 miles above Earth brings a perspective that words alone simply can't capture. This isn't just one of our most remarkable podcast episodes. It's one of the most remarkable conversations we've ever had.

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 28 September 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 Marine Corps has launched new incentives aimed at encouraging Marines to voluntarily extend overseas assignments by at least 12 months. Under the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program, eligible Marines may choose from three benefits: a $2,000 financial bonus paid over 12 months, up to 30 days of nonchargeable leave, or a combination of leave and government-funded travel back to the continental United States. The program applies to most overseas duty stations and is designed to improve staffing stability while retaining experienced personnel in key locations. Marine Corps officials say the incentives provide greater flexibility for Marines considering longer overseas service.

Three separate in-flight engine fires involving Navy and Marine Corps aircraft this summer forced emergency landings but resulted in no injuries, according to data from the Naval Safety Center. The incidents involved two F/A-18 Super Hornets and a Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during routine training missions in Nevada, California, and Virginia. All aircraft landed safely after crews executed emergency procedures. Each mishap caused more than $2.5 million in damage, qualifying them as Class A mishaps, and remains under investigation. Officials said the incidents do not appear to be connected, but the fires come during a period of high operational demand and are considered relatively rare occurrences in naval aviation.

Local, Education & other academy news

Mark Millikin ’75 has been appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve on the newly created Apalachicola Water and Sewer District, an independent authority established to oversee the city's water and sewer system. As president of Gulf Unmanned Systems Center, Millikin brings extensive leadership experience to the five-member board, which is assuming responsibility for the utility's assets, contracts, debt, and workforce. One of three gubernatorial appointees, Millikin will help guide the district's efforts to strengthen oversight and ensure reliable water and wastewater services for the Apalachicola community.

Whether your interest lies in the liberation of Europe, the story of one of America's most celebrated military units, or the dramatic conclusion of the Pacific campaign, these extraordinary journeys offer a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of history while traveling with fellow members of the Naval Academy family.

D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy and Liberation of France: Space is limited

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

Women's Golf at Autumn Harvest - 1st out of 11 teams

Army-Navy Star Series matchups

2026-2027 Star Series Record: Series Tied, 1-1-0

USNA and AA&F Events

USNA AA&F resources & Links

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