24 Mar Daily Shipmate

Monday, March 24, 2025

1984 - CAPT Stephen Burley '77, USMC was lost when the helicopter he was piloting crashed during a joint military exercise with South Korean marines. Twenty-eight others were also killed. He was survived by his wife, son, parents, and two brothers.

 

1986 - Libyan surface-to-air missile batteries fired upon aircraft operating from the carrier Coral Sea (CVA-43) over the Gulf of Sidra, missing their targets. Later, in a series of actions called Operation Prairie Fire, A-6 Intruders from the carrier America (CV-66) fired a Harpoon missile and dropped cluster bombs on a Libyan La Combattante II-class missile boat that approached the carrier battle group, severely damaging it.

1999 - With the collapse of diplomatic efforts to counter Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic's “cleansing” of ethnic Albanians from Kosovo, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization launched Operation Allied Force, with Navy surface ships and submarines launching Tomahawk cruise missiles and naval aircraft from bases in Italy participating in the initial attacks.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Here is the cover for the March/April issue of the world's best Alumni Magazine. Who is the alumnus in the photo? Find out in our Vietnam Legacy of Valor features in this issue. This edition also features stories spotlighting the character-driven leadership spanning seven decades of alumni. It is our privilege to gather, preserve and share the lasting legacies of alumni including President Jimmy Carter '47, RADM Lawrence Chambers '52, USN (Ret.), MajGen Charles Bolden '68, USMC (Ret.), members of the Naval Special Warfare community who served in Vietnam, and three alumni who were immortalized with ships named in their honor. Shipmate should be arriving in mailboxes around April 7th. Want to save a tree? Do you get too much mail? Do you just prefer reading things online? You can always opt out of the paper magazine and just receive the magazine online.

The United States Naval Academy has a rich history of women, with the first 54 women graduating in 1980, and now comprising 29.6% of the student body. As of right now, 301 young women are on track to graduate with the Class of 2025. More than 100 USNA alumnae gathered in person at the Fluegel Alumni Center Saturday - with another 100+ women joining a Zoom to participate - celebrating the USNA Women Annual Gathering. The USNA Women Alumnae Shared Interest Group hosted the event. The group debuted their new logo, too. USNA Women aims to maintain a vibrant volunteer community of alumnae and supporters, providing a place for connection and belonging, and leveraging experience to educate, advocate, and support causes that impact the alumnae community and midshipmen.

The calm of spring break on the Yard was shattered on the morning of March 11th as the shrill sound of a fire alarm rang through Bancroft Hall, the largest contiguous dormitory in the country and home to all 4,400 midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. The alarm, followed almost immediately by the sirens of responding fire trucks from the NSA Annapolis and U.S. Naval Academy Federal Fire Department (Naval Academy Fire Department), was triggered in response to a simulated fire in the midshipmen locker room area of Bancroft Hall's eighth wing. The simulated fire and associated response were part of a large-scale fire drill intended to improve readiness and cooperation between the Naval Academy Fire Department and local community fire departments.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

China is the top priority in the Trump administration's national security strategy, but that's balanced with a sharpened focus on the Western Hemisphere, a panel of defense experts agreed Thursday. Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said, “China first, full stop” sits atop the security concerns in an administration with a diverse global outlook. Beijing's investments in developing weapons systems like its hypersonic glide vehicle reinforce the point of placing China as the nation's top security concern, she added.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has extended aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman's (CVN-75) deployment to the Middle East, while USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) will also head to U.S. Central Command, USNI News has learned. Truman will stay in U.S. Central Command for another month, according to a U.S. official. Carl Vinson, which was operating in the East China Sea this week, has been tasked to the Middle East region to make for a two-carrier presence as the Trump administration ramps up its aggression against the Yemen-based Houthis. It will take Vinson two to three weeks to reach CENTCOM, meaning the carriers will overlap for a period of time.

 The Pentagon made waves Monday when it announced the deployment of the Arleigh-Burke class destroyer Gravely to patrol near the southern border, with a second destroyer reportedly expected to join the effort. U.S. Northern Command announced that the Gravely will be sailing with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, or LEDET, team on board, with sailors expected to work closely with LEDET personnel as a part of drug trafficking interdictions, according to Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Joint Staff director for operations. Although it's been called unusual for Navy destroyers to deploy in this role, it is not without precedent.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

The Stockdale Center's short film series explores how the Naval Academy is preparing tomorrow's leaders to meet evolving threats to our national security. This 30-minute film examines how China is currently engaged in 'unrestricted warfare' against the US and provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of geopolitical dynamics affecting our nation's future.

Acting Secretary of the Navy, Terence Emmert '88 visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) and the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during a trip to Naval Station Norfolk, March 20 2025. “The Sailors aboard USS Ross and USS Wasp embody the U.S. Navy's strength, dedication and professionalism,” said Emmert. “Seeing their waterfront training reinforces their critical role in maintaining our national security and maritime superiority.” Emmert was joined by Rear Adm. Joe Cahill, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic.

The National Medal of Honor Museum is set to open next week in Arlington, Texas, with a moving experience that tells the stories of those who received the highest military honor for their service and demonstration of valor in the face of danger. Reporting for TODAY, NBC's Peter Alexander shares a first look inside the museum. The President and CEO of the Medal of Honor Museum is Chris Cassidy '93.

Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson stunned Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson 5-4 in the heavyweight final Saturday night at the NCAA men's wrestling championships. Hendrickson, a transfer from Air Force, trailed in the last match of the evening until scoring on a takedown in the final minute -- the only takedown Steveson allowed all season. Hendrickson has stated his goal of reaching the Olympics in 2028, a pursuit that has been aided by the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program. As a graduate of the Air Force Academy, the WCAP gave him the opportunity to compete at OSU this year, and to continue training for the Olympics the next three years.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Weekend Results

Baseball vs Bucknell - W 4-3

 

Women's Golf vs Delaware - L 4-3

Wrestling vs NCAA Championship - 21st of 60 teams (Koderhandt - 6th; Wask - 8th)

Men's Track & Field - vs Virginia Opener - No Team Score

Women's Track & Field vs Virginia Opener - No Team Score

Women's Tennis at Lehigh - W 6-1

Men's Lacrosse at Holy Cross - W 9-8

Men's Rugby at No. 13 Mary Washington - W 27-22

Men's Tennis at Coppin State - W 7-0

Men's Tennis at Brown - L 6-1

Baseball vs Bucknell - W 13-12

Women's Basketball at Old Dominion University - L 63-42

Women's Lacrosse at Bucknell - W 17-6

Baseball vs Bucknell - W 6-4

 

Women's Rugby v Queens - L 12-10

Women's Rugby v LIU - L 28-7

Women's Rugby v Mount St. Mary's - W 28-12

Men's Tennis vs Boston U. - 7-0

Women's Tennis at Bucknell - 6-1

Baseball vs Bucknell - L 1-8

Men's Tennis vs Temple - L 3-4

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

MARCH

26 Mar - Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) Class of 2025 enrollment

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit - Fluegel Alumni Center

 

APRIL

4 Apr - Annapolis Cup Social - Cannon Shot Documentary screening - Fluegel Alumni Center

5 Apr - Annapolis Cup - USNA-St. John's Croquet Match

5 Apr - Women's Lacrosse Alumni Appreciation Day (Home Game vs. Holy Cross)

6 Apr - Boston Chapter + NAPC of New England Roadshow - Cambridge, MA

7 Apr - Connecticut Chapter + NAPC of Connecticut Roadshow - Norwalk, CT

8 Apr - Rhode Island Chapter + NAPC of New England Roadshow - Providence, RI

9 Apr - Maine Chapter + NAPC of New England Roadshow - Portland, ME

10-12 Apr - Class of 1955 - 70th Reunion

11 Apr - Athletic & Scholarship Programs Spring Meeting - Akerson Tower

11-12 Apr - Men's Soccer Alumni Weekend

12 Apr - Navy Letterwinners Association Army/Navy Men's Lacrosse Tailgate

12 Apr - NAAA Sale of the Century

21-27 Apr - Huntsville, Alabama Navy Week

23 April - Bonds of Gold Ceremony

24 Apr - AA&F Vietnam Legacy of Valor Series Speaker Event - Fluegel Alumni Center

24-27 Apr - Class of 1970 - 55th Reunion

25 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

25 Apr - USNA Dedication Parade, Worden Field

30 Apr - USNA Capstone Day

30 Apr - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Welcome Reception

 

MAY

1 May - USNA Foundation Spring BOD meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

6-8 May - Class of 1957 - 70th Reunion

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring BOT Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

8-9 May - SACC Washington DC

12-18 May - Richmond, VA Navy Week

14 May - Class of 2028 Herndon Climb

16-18 May - USA Warriors Sled Hockey Event

21 May -  Blue Angels CFR Event - Hospital Point, USNA

22 May - Color Parade, Worden Field

22 May - USNA Prizes & Awards, Alumni Hall, 2 p.m.

23 May - Class of 2025 Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, NMCMS

26 May - Run to Honor - Reading the names of the fallen alumni heroes in Memorial Hall

26 May - Run to Honor Nationwide Walk/Runs

 

16-22 Jun - Anchorage, Alaska Navy Week

17-18 Jun - Entrepreneur Summit, Fluegel Alumni Center

25 Jun - Athletic & Scholarship Program Pre-I Day Reception, Fluegel Alumni Center

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029

30 Jun - 6 Jul - Duluth, Minnesota Navy Week

 

4-10 Aug - Sioux Falls, South Dakota Navy Week

18-24 Aug - Columbus, Ohio Navy Week

21-22 Aug - SACC San Diego

22 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Starting Gun Reception: Severn Sailing Association - 6 p.m.

23 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Supe brief, race and Sail Navy Banquet

24 Aug - Annapolis 10 Miler - Run to Honor is a charity partner

25-31 Aug - Springfield, Missouri Navy Week

28-31 Aug - Class of 1960 - 65th Reunion

30 Aug - Navy vs VMI, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

6 Sep - Navy Football vs University of Alabama Birmingham, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.

15-21 Sep - Wichita Falls, Texas Navy Week

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

27 Sep - Navy Football vs Rice, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

2 Oct - Presidents Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - Presidents Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 – 35th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 – 30 Reunion

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

11 Oct - Navy Football @ Temple, Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 - 60th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 – 50th Reunion

25 Oct - Navy Football vs Florida Atlantic, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

25 Oct - United States Naval Academy Homecoming

25 Oct - Welcome Home Event, Fluegel Alumni Center

25-31 - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

 

1 Nov - Navy Football @ University of North Texas, DATCU Stadium, Denton, TX

5-6 Nov - US Naval Academy Foundation Fall Board of Directors Reception/Meeting

8 Nov - Navy Football @ Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

10-16  Nov - Santa Fe, New Mexico Navy Week.

14 Nov - Athletic & Scholarship Fall Board Meeting, Navy/Marine Corps Stadium

15 Nov - Navy Football vs University of South Florida, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents, (Fall COCP Meeting), Fluegel

18-19 Nov - US Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Fall Meeting, Fluegel

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

5/6 Dec - American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

13 Dec - Army - Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD