29 October Daily Shipmate

Thursday, 29 October 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.

merchandise spotlight

Founded by Naval Academy graduate Brian Dunn, Forever Firstie celebrates the traditions, memories, and lifelong bonds that make the Naval Academy experience so special. From spirited apparel and unique gifts to personalized keepsakes, Forever Firstie creates products designed by a graduate, for graduates. Whether you're celebrating a reunion, showing your USNA pride, or finding the perfect gift for a fellow alum, Forever Firstie helps keep the spirit of the Yard alive long after graduation.

Explore the collection at ForeverFirstie.com.

today in u.s. navy and marine corps history

1870 - The side-wheel steamer Saginaw breaks up on a reef off Ocean Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The remote location offers it little hope of rescue, prompting five volunteers under the command of LT John G. Talbot ’66, USN, to man a ship’s gig and attempt to reach Hawaii. After sailing some 1,500 miles, the crew reach Kauai on 20 December after 31 days at sea. Tragically, Talbot and four sailors are drowned in heavy surf as they come ashore. Only Coxswain William Halford survives to bring help to his shipmates. He receives the Medal of Honor and a promotion to the rate of Acting Gunner.

 

1968 - In a surprise attack in the Lon-Bo De River area of South Vietnam, Navy patrol boats join South Vietnamese Air Force A-1 Skyraiders, tank landing ship Washoe County (LST-1165) and Coast Guard cutter Wachusett (WHEC-44) in destroying 242 enemy watercraft and 167 structures during a period of five hours.

 

2012 - To support relief efforts in New York and New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Navy deployed USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS San Antonio (LPD-17), and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50). The Navy also provided the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, Composite Riverine Squadron 4, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 and the Underwater Construction Team. Naval efforts consisted of repairing infrastructure, rescuing citizens and clearing debris.  

 

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

1989 –ENS Steven Pontell ’88, USN

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

Academy & Graduate happenings

And the winner is…

More than 1,000 people voted and we have a winner! Congratulations to CDR David T. Byrnes ’63, USN (Ret.) whose design will become the official 2026 Beat Army button! Want one? You can pick up the winning button at the USNA Alumni Beat Army Tailgate in New York or the Fluegel Alumni Center Watch Party here in Annapolis.

 

Now, we know not everyone can make it to those events, so we want to hear from you:

 

Cast your vote in our quick poll below and let us know if you’d like the opportunity to get some of your own. GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!

The countdown is on! One of the Naval Academy’s favorite traditions returns this week, and tickets are going fast. The USNA Halloween/All Saints Concert transforms the Main Chapel with music, drama, dance, lighting and special effects, featuring Chapel Organist Monte Maxwell and the talents of the Brigade of Midshipmen. With performances Friday, 30 October and Saturday, 31 October, now is the time to make your plans. Tickets are still available for Friday’s 10 p.m. performance, while only a few remain for Saturday at 7 p.m. Don’t wait until they’re gone. Grab your tickets and experience this unforgettable Halloween tradition on the Yard.

William “Bill” Hickey ’66, former president, CEO and chairman of Sealed Air Corporation, has been named an operating partner at Una Terra, an investment firm focused on the circular economy. Hickey brings more than 30 years of industrial leadership experience spanning manufacturing, packaging, finance and product innovation. In his new role, he will work with Una Terra portfolio companies to expand operations, strengthen manufacturing capabilities and enter the U.S. market. Hickey, who also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a Certified Public Accountant, will help growing companies advance sustainable packaging and materials solutions.

Foggo ’81 MOAA's new chairman of the board

ADM James G. Foggo ’81, USN (Ret), became chairman of the Military Officers Association of America board during its annual meeting on 22 October. Foggo praised MOAA’s advocacy efforts while encouraging members to remain engaged in protecting earned benefits for service members, veterans and families. MOAA also highlighted its growth, including 2,200 new members through outreach to military academy alumni organizations. Eight new board members were sworn in, and leaders reviewed advocacy successes, including more than 330 congressional office visits. The organization also highlighted its upcoming TotalForce+ conference and the creation of MOAA Charities to streamline support for scholarships and crisis relief.

From the Podcast Fleet

Anchors Aweigh Podcast: Previewing Navy men's basketball season with head coach Jon Perry

We preview the Navy men's basketball season, which tips off Monday at George Washington. Coach Jon Perry talks about replacing a strong senior class that led the Midshipmen to 26 wins, a Patriot League regular season championship and a berth in the NIT. We also put the spotlight on Navy men's and women's swimming and diving, which swept archrival Army in the Star meets. Mike James, publisher of The Mid Report, joins to break down the Navy shootout loss to North Texas.

Government & Military News

The Navy recorded its highest number of Class A aviation and afloat mishaps in at least a decade during fiscal 2026, underscoring the continued importance of safety across the fleet. The service reported 16 aviation and 11 afloat Class A mishaps, including aircraft crashes, shipboard fires and a collision. Overall, the Navy recorded 30 on-duty Class A mishaps, the most since fiscal 2022, when it recorded the same number. There was encouraging news in off-duty safety, however, with 48 mishaps and 45 fatalities, down from 54 mishaps and 53 fatalities the previous year. The Marine Corps also saw improvement in off-duty incidents, recording 24 mishaps and fatalities compared with 36 mishaps and 34 fatalities in fiscal 2025. While the figures highlight serious safety challenges, the declines in off-duty incidents provide a positive sign as the services continue working to protect their people and strengthen safety across the force.

Military families continue to face childcare challenges as staffing shortages, lengthy hiring processes and limited availability leave many without reliable care. The Department of Defense employs about 19,000 childcare workers serving nearly 172,000 children, yet nearly 9,000 children remained on the unmet-needs list in 2025. Low wages and demanding working conditions have complicated recruitment and retention. The military services are pursuing solutions, including higher pay, recruitment and retention incentives, childcare discounts and expanded community-based options. Reliable childcare is also a readiness issue, as service members need dependable care to meet demanding schedules and fulfill their military responsibilities.

The Pentagon is creating a new federal advisory council focused exclusively on improving warfighter health and human performance. The $1.4 million council will provide expertise on physical, mental and emotional health, injury prevention, operational stress and performance optimization. The effort builds on the Department of Defense’s new Warfighter Performance Optimization division, which aims to coordinate readiness initiatives across the services. Priorities include accelerating technologies such as wearable devices and analytics and emphasizing cognitive performance. The council will include up to 20 experts in fields including nutrition, neurology, sleep medicine, preventive medicine, combat stress, psychology and wearable technology.

Local, Education & other academy news

More than 4.6 million Veterans already use the VA Health and Benefits mobile app to manage their care and benefits, and now, Veterans can view lab results and manage VAbenefit overpayment debts directly in the app. These new features give you faster access to important information and make it easier to manage your healthcare and benefits from your phone.

Join fellow Mids, alumni, parents and friends for a Navy football tailgate at Gillette Stadium! Come out, connect with the New England Navy community and Beat Notre Dame! Co-hosted by USNA Parents' Club of New England and the USNA Alumni Association Boston Chapter.

Date: 31 October

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Lot 5 at Gillette Stadium (Exact location will be shared on myUSNA by 8:30 a.m. on game day Look for the “Don’t Give Up the Ship” and “Sing Second” flags)

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

Senior co-captain Giuseppe Sessi is preparing for Navy’s next challenge against No. 5 Notre Dame at Gillette Stadium, but this matchup comes with a special family connection. Sessi’s grandfather, Tom, played for the Fighting Irish and his father also attended Notre Dame. Hear from Sessi as he talks with the media ahead of a game that brings together family ties, football tradition and Navy pride. Watch the interview and get ready: Go Navy! Beat Notre Dame!

Today's matchups:

Army-Navy Star Series matchups

USNA and AA&F Events

USNA & AA&F Events (Times listed in Eastern Time):

USNA AA&F resources & Links

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