27 Mar Daily Shipmate

Thursday, March 27, 2025

1953 - The 5th Marines, supported by the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, in the first full day of fighting after the Chinese assault the previous evening of Outpost Vegas on Korea's western front, counterattacked to regain enemy-held positions. Companies E and F of 2/7 , down to only three platoons between them, managed to regain partial control of Outpost Vegas that day.

 

1953 - In action with an enemy force in Korea, Hospital Corpsman Third Class William R. Charette performed numerous acts of courage—throwing himself on the body of a wounded Marine to shield him from the blast of an enemy grenade that landed a few feet away; removing his own protective vest and giving it to another wounded Marine; and exposing himself to enemy fire by standing up in a trench in order to better treat a leg wound suffered by another man. For his actions, Charette received the Medal of Honor.

 

1974 - 2LT Sheldon Norris '72, USMC was lost when the TA-4 Skyhawk jet he was piloting crashed approximately 30 miles southeast of Yuma. He was a student pilot with Training Squadron (VT) 24; posthumously he was designated a Naval Aviator. Sheldon was survived by his wife.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

According to the Congressional Record, Brent Sadler, of Virginia, was nominated to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration. The following is his biography as presented on The Heritage Foundation site: Sadler is a Senior Research Fellow, Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology, Allison Center for National Security.  Sadler joined Heritage Foundation after a 26 year Navy career with numerous operational tours on nuclear powered submarines, personal staffs of senior Defense Department leaders, and as a military diplomat in Asia. As a Senior Research Fellow, Brent's focus is on maritime security and the technologies shaping our future maritime forces, especially the Navy. Sadler is a 1994 graduate with honors of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Systems Engineering (robotics) and a minor in Japanese. As a 2004 Olmsted Scholar in Tokyo, Japan, he studied at Keio University, Jochi University and the United Nations University.

Honoring a fallen Navy SEAL and St. John's alumnus

The Erik S. Kristensen Memorial Lecture Series, jointly sponsored by St. John's College and the United States Naval Academy, honors LCDR Erik S. Kristensen—an alumnus of the Academy and the St. John's Graduate Institute. Kristensen, a Navy SEAL, was killed in the line of duty while leading a search and rescue mission in Afghanistan in 2005. The 2025 Lecture is Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the McDowell Great Hall. Speaker: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Uncertainty: Education and Leadership in the Next Century, presented by General (Ret.) John R. Allen. John Allen, retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general, and former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A); previously served as the Brookings Institute President. Allen is a 1976 graduate of the USNA where, in 2002, he became the first Marine officer to serve as the Commandant of Midshipmen.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Travel for the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Symposium has been authorized for all Department of Navy military speakers, moderators, and panelists, and attendance at the event has been approved for all National Capital Region (local) Navy federal civilian employees and uniformed military personnel. A memo released by acting Under Secretary of the Navy Terrence Emmert '88, dated 20 March 2025, says, “I approve the Department of the Navy's attendance at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Symposium, 6-9 April 2025, at National Harbor, Maryland.”

The United States projects its presence around the globe through its warships, impacting geopolitical decisions daily while maintaining the American way of life, said Brett A. Seidle, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. The backbone of a strong Navy is its shipbuilding enterprise, Seidle added. Those who build ships are passionate about what they do and their role in supporting national security.

The Navy is reportedly set to follow the Air Force's lead and name the company chosen to develop and build its carrier-based sixth-generation fighter. Just days after the U.S. Air Force announced that Boeing will build its next crewed stealth combat jet, now designated the F-47, the Navy looks set to confirm the choice of its own carrier-based sixth-generation fighter. The Navy's new combat jet is often referred to as the F/A-XX and is planned to enter service in the 2030s. So far, the program has been even more secretive than the Air Force equivalent, although, as we have explored in the past, the jet will be central not only to the Navy's future tactical aviation plans, but also to the future of the service more generally.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

The USNA Parents' Club of New England is going to have 2-3 official Navy cheering places for the 33 midshipmen running the Boston Marathon this year. The club is also financing two livery vehicles at the finish line to shuttle MIDs back to the Coast Guard station where they will be fed and allowed to recover. The Boston Marathon is Monday, April 21st. Come celebrate Patriots Day in Boston and cheer on the Mids.  If anyone would like to support or learn where the Navy cheering crowds along the route will be, please email [email protected].

Originally from Lawrenceville, NJ, Ola attended Mercersburg Academy before coming to the Naval Academy, where she selected Navy Pilot as their service path. She transitioned from gymnastics to diving due to injury concerns and found great success. Her proudest achievement is overcoming the challenges of the academy, with one of their favorite memories being the excitement of discovering their service selection alongside teammates. The A&SP program played a crucial role in their academic and athletic development. Her advice to incoming plebes is to stay open-minded, embrace challenges as growth opportunities, and take full advantage of the academy's offerings.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Navy men's basketball is in danger of losing its floor general, offensive sparkplug and best overall player. Interim coach Jon Perry confirmed Tuesday morning that junior point guard Austin Benigni has entered the transfer portal. Perry said Benigni is testing the waters to see what schools might be interested in his services and is hopeful of keeping him at the Naval Academy. “We're going to do everything we possibly can,” Perry said. Midshipmen can leave the Naval Academy without penalty after their sophomore year. However, as a junior, Benigni would likely be required to pay back a portion of his tuition to the United States government.

Yesterday's Results

Women's Lacrosse vs Loyola - L 20-19

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

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

 

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

27 Apr - Frogman Swim to benefit the SEAL Foundation - Severn River

29 Apr - Erik Kristensen Memorial Lecture - St. John's College

30 Apr - USNA Capstone Day

30 Apr - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Welcome Reception

 

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.

14 Sep - Annapolis Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

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