26 October Daily Shipmate

Monday, 26 October 2026

today in u.s. navy and marine corps history

1942 - In the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, aircraft carriers Enterprise (CV-6) and Hornet (CV-8),under the command of RADM Thomas C. Kinkaid ’08, USN, engage the Japanese flattops Junyo, Shokaku, Zuiho and Zuikaku under the command of VADM Chuichi Nagumo. American aviators score hits on both Zuiho and Shokaku and damage heavy cruiser Chikuma and destroyer Terutsuki. However, Japanese pilots find both Enterprise and Hornet, damaging the latter to such an extent that it is abandoned. Attempts to scuttle Hornet fail and it is sunk by Japanese destroyers the following day. Enemy fliers also score hits on battleship South Dakota (BB-57) and light cruiser San Juan (CL-54), and a damaged aircraft plunges into destroyer Smith (DD-378). In addition, destroyer Hughes (DD-410) collides with Hornet while fighting fires on board the carrier and taking off survivors, and the destroyer Porter (DD-356) is damaged by a torpedo that accidentally fires when a battle-damaged TBF Avenger torpedo bomber ditches in its vicinity. It is later scuttled. The action ends in a tactical victory for the Japanese.

 

1966 - In the first of three disastrous fires on board aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War, a fire in a flare locker on board Oriskany (CV-34) takes the lives of 44 from the ship’s crew and embarked air wing.

 

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

1966 - CDR Clyde Welch '51, USN and LTJG Gerald Siebe '64, USN

The Alumni Association has lost contact with both families. If you know how to contact them please email [email protected].

 

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

Academy & Graduate happenings

LTJG Joe Reimann ‘24, USN, ran a remarkable race, placing 3rd in a time of 2:23:28. His classmate 1stLt Ian Burt ’24, USMC, recently off deployment, ran an impressive 3:01:20 despite limited training due to his military commitments. More than a dozen 2024 alumni ran the race. Alexa Hunter ’04, Director of Shared Interest Group Run To Honor, ran a comfortable Boston qualifying time of 3:36:16, while our CEO Jeff Webb ’95 completed his 23rd Marine Corps Marathon in a time of 3:25:42, also running for Run To Honor. These are just a few of our many alumni finishers - BZ to all who completed the People's Marathon! Mike McClung, brother of Maj Megan McClung ’95, USMC, once again presented the Penguin Award to the last official finisher of the marathon in honor of Megan.

What a weekend! Generations of alumni returned to Annapolis for Homecoming and milestone reunions, celebrating friendships, traditions and bonds that have endured across the decades. From meaningful memorial services and class gatherings to reunion events, the Superintendent’s brief, tailgating and plenty of Navy spirit, the weekend offered countless opportunities to remember the past while making a few new memories along the way. Our team and cameras were there to capture moments throughout the weekend and tomorrow we will be sharing the photos for you here in Daily Shipmate. It's your chance to relive Homecoming 2026, find your classmates, download your favorite photos and share the memories. Here's a sneak peak of what we captured.

From the Podcast Fleet

Listen to a special Live Taping of the Anchors Aweigh podcast from the Drydock Restaurant inside Dahlgren Hall. We are joined by Naval Academy athletic director Michael Kelly, who covers a wide range of topics both local and national. We also interview Navy's two Senior Deputy Director of Athletics: Chief of Staff Kris Pierce and Chief Business Officer Reid Sigmon. This live taping was in support of our loyal sponsor Naval Academy Business Services Division. We talk to Executive Director Doug Borrebach and Deputy Director of Operations Heather Skipper about the services NABSD provides the Naval Academy and the Brigade of Midshipmen.

Government & Military News

The U.S. Navy is mandating a terminology change, directing commands and personnel to replace “artificial intelligence” and “AI” with “super intelligence” and “SI” in official communications. The directive follows President Donald Trump’s September executive order promoting the new terminology, which he says better reflects the technology’s advancing capabilities. The change applies immediately to Navy correspondence, public communications, websites, training materials, reports and other official documents. Commands must review existing public-facing materials and update them within 30 days. Previously published documents, contracts and legally required references do not need to be retroactively changed.

The Marine Corps expanded access to its AI-enabled Maven Smart System (MSS), allowing all commands and organizations, including the reserves, to obtain accounts through applicable networks. Effective Oct. 1, 2026, the enterprise licensing agreement enables authorized personnel at every echelon to access the platform within their approved network domains. Developed by Palantir, Maven integrates intelligence reports, drone footage, satellite imagery and other data to support operational planning and commanders’ decision-making. Approximately 5,500 Marines used Maven in August. Commands are encouraged to designate implementation leads as the service expands training and integration efforts.

Local, Education & other academy news

The Class of 2006 celebrated alongside its Another Link in the Chain (ALINC) 50-year counterpart, the Class of 1956 this year in a joint reunion — USAA was there to capture the event. For members of ’56, it was a special opportunity to come together with the class whose Naval Academy journey they helped welcome years ago. Separated by 50 years, the two classes share something much greater: the bonds of Navy Blue and Gold and an enduring commitment to service. Members of the Class of 1956 continue to serve their communities today, an ideal they have passed on to the next generation, especially with members of the Class of 2006 carrying that same spirit forward. Different generations, one shared commitment to service and one Naval Academy family.

The Lucky Bag of Books is a curated collection highlighting Naval Academy alumni, featuring books written by alumni, about alumni or on topics of interest, from fiction to children’s books. One of the latest additions is Archangel Eyes by CDR Jonathan Malay ’73, USN (Ret.) former NASA astronaut-selection finalist. The novel blends spaceflight, faith and Cold War secrecy in a story that spans decades.

 

When you shop through our Amazon affiliate link, a portion of your purchase supports the Naval Academy. Know a book by a Naval Academy alum? Email [email protected] so we can add it and share their story with the Navy community.

Two of the Navy’s senior leaders will be on Navy Memorial's SITREP Speaker Series for separate livestream conversations just days apart.

Together, these two SITREP Speaker Series programs are live, online and offer a unique opportunity to hear directly from the Navy’s senior officer and senior enlisted leader about the people, priorities, challenges and opportunities shaping today’s Fleet.

 

Each livestream will offer a different perspective on the Navy of today and the people preparing it for tomorrow. Registration is free, and you can choose to log on to one SITREP or both. Can’t join us live? Register anyway, and we’ll send you a recording of each episode you sign up for after the program.

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

Navy swimming and diving delivered a pair of convincing victories over Army in the annual Star Meet at West Point. The women won 204-96, capturing 12 events, while the men earned a 188-112 victory with 10 event wins. Together, the Mids combined for 22 victories. Navy also showcased its depth throughout the meet, recording multiple 1-2-3 finishes. The men improved to 5-0 on the season, while the women moved to 4-1. Both teams return to Annapolis to host George Washington at Lejeune Hall.

 

No. 4 Navy rifle continued its unbeaten start to the 2026-27 season Sunday, facing Memphis and Mount Aloysius at the Bancroft Hall Rifle Range. The victories added to an impressive opening stretch that already included wins over TCU, VMI, Akron and Ohio State. Navy entered Sunday’s competition with a 6-0 record, highlighted earlier this month by perfect 600 air-rifle scores from Isabella Baldwin and Tyler Wee. The Mids next head to Kentucky on 31 October before competing in the President’s Trophy Match at West Point on 8 November.

 

Today's matchups:

Army-Navy Star Series matchups

USNA and AA&F Events

USNA AA&F resources & Links

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