18 Apr Daily Shipmate

Friday, April 18, 2025

1862 - In preparation for the attack against New Orleans, Louisiana, mortar boats under the command of Commander David Dixon Porter began a five-day bombardment of Fort Jackson, one of the forts guarding the approaches to the city. One mortar boat was sunk by Confederate fire from the fort during the action.

 

1983 - One Marine Security Guard was killed and seven were wounded when a large car bomb exploded just outside the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. Lance Corporal Robert McMaugh was standing guard at Post 1, just inside the front entrance when the bomb exploded outside the door. The explosion killed 61 people including 17 Americans. LCpl McMaugh was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 26 April.

 

2003 - LCDR Anthony Domino '91, USNR was lost when the F-5E Tiger II aircraft he was piloting crashed while returning to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada from a Top Gun event. He had left active service in 2001 and was a pilot for Jet Blue Airways; his reserve duty was as an adversary instructor pilot with Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

From the English Department and the HUM/SS Heflin Prize Committee - “It is our great pleasure to announce that MIDN 1/C Emma Single (History) has been selected to receive the Heflin Prize this year! The nominated midshipmen were all very impressive, and MIDN 1/C Addison-Parker Davis (English) and MIDN 1/C Illy Bias (English) have been selected as honorable mentions. The Wilson L. Heflin Prize for Leadership in the Humanities was established in 1984 to honor Professor Heflin, a noted Melville scholar and member of the faculty for forty years. The prize is awarded annually to the midshipman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering humane studies at the Naval Academy during the preceding year.

In the third installment (32 min.) of our Great Power Competition film series, we examine the Naval Academy's approach to cultivating innovative leaders through two distinct yet complementary initiatives: Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) immersions and Capstone projects. Follow midshipmen through the process of developing the critical and creative thinking skills that will enable success on tomorrow's battlefield.

You've had digital access to SHIPMATE all along, did you know?

If you get the printed edition for SHIPMATE, the digital version has always been just a click away. But here's something even better: Opt out of print RIGHT NOW, and you'll get early access one full week before it hits mailboxes.No clutter. No delays. No guilt throwing it away after it is read. Just stories you still care about. Anytime. Anywhere.It takes 30 seconds to make the switch.

As we continue celebrating National Volunteer Appreciation Month, let's celebrate our wonderful parent club volunteers. Our parent club volunteers help create an enabling environment that offers community support with timely and accurate information to all current parents or guardians of Naval Academy midshipmen. Our parent club volunteers help families have the greatest experiences associated with being a parent of a Naval Academy midshipman.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot was asked to resign this week following a contentious start for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's communications office, a senior defense official told The Associated Press on Thursday. Ullyot was one of Hegseth's initial communications office hires and oversaw some of its most highly visible but controversial moves, including a broad edict to the military services to strip away online images that were considered a promotion of diversity, equity or inclusion. That directive led to public outcry when images of national heroes like Jackie Robinson and others were removed. Ullyot told Politico on Wednesday he had come to the decision to resign. A senior defense official familiar with the decision said that wasn't the case and that Hegseth's office had requested that Ullyot resign.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Come join us for our fourth annual GWC picnic! We are looking forward to getting outside and spending time with old friends and new.  Join us at Fort Hunt National Park in Fort Hunt, VA on the 4th of May, in picnic area Pavilion A-001 (pictured above) from 1400 to 1700. We will be welcoming back, BLACK MOON TONIC!  They will be playing Classic Rock, R&B and some Country music from 1430 to 1700. Cookout food will be available (burgers, dogs, salads, and cookies) and standard beverages will be served (water, sodas, beer and wine). Our Pavilion can accommodate more than 200 folks alumni under one roof so we will have this event RAIN OR SHINE!  The food and the camaraderie will still be worth the trip! While there is not charge for the event, we ask you to please register so we have a good head-count.

Meet Abby Repko, the Executive and Principal Gift Administrator. Her primary role is to support Bill O'Connor, the Executive Vice President. She also supports the Foundation Board of Directors with Board Administration and assists with planning and executing Board and Committee meetings.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Weekend Matchups

 

Women's Golf at Patriot League Championship - Bethlehem, Pa. / Saucon Valley CC - TBA

Men's Tennis at Patriot League Tournament - Quarterfinal - Lewisburg, Pa. - 9 a.m.

Women's Track & Field vs Virginia Challenge - Charlottesville, Va. - 11 a.m.

Men's Track & Field vs Virginia Challenge - Charlottesville, Va. - 11 a.m.

Women's Track & Field vs Navy Spring Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - Noon

Men's Track & Field vs Navy Spring Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - Noon

Women's Tennis v Howard - Annapolis, Md. - 3 p.m.

Men's Lacrosse at Loyola - Baltimore, Md. - 7 p.m.

Men's Gymnastics at NCAA Championship - Qual. Meet - Ann Arbor, Mich. - 7 p.m.

 

 

Intercollegiate Sailing at George Washington Invitational - Washington, D.C. - All Day

Women's Golf at Patriot League Championship - Bethlehem, Pa. / Saucon Valley CC - TBA

Intercollegiate Sailing at America Trophy - MAISA Coed - Ithaca, N.Y. - All Day

Men's Heavyweight Rowing v Cornell & Syracuse - Annapolis, Md. - 7 a.m.

Men's Lightweight Rowing at Harvard w/MIT - Boston, Mass. - 8 a.m.

Women's Rowingv Georgetown - Annapolis, Md. - 8:40 a.m.

Men's Track & Field vs Navy Spring Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - 9:30 a.m.

Women's Track & Field vs Navy Spring Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - 9:30 a.m.

Women's Track & Field vs Virginia Challenge - Charlottesville, Va. - 10 a.m.

Men's Track & Field vs Virginia Challenge - Charlottesville, Va. - 10 a.m.

Men's Tennis at Patriot League Tournament - Semifinal - Lewisburg, Pa. - 10 a.m.

Women's Lacrosse v Lafayette - Annapolis, Md. - Noon

 

Baseball v Holy Cross - Annapolis, Md. - 1 p.m.

Baseballv Holy Cross - Annapolis, Md. - 3:30 p.m.

Men's Gymnastics at NCAA Championship - Finals - Ann Arbor, Mich. - 6:30 p.m.

 

 

Women's Golf at Patriot League Championship - Bethlehem, Pa. / Saucon Valley CC - TBA

Intercollegiate Sailing at America Trophy - MAISA Coed - Ithaca, N.Y. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at George Washington Invitational - Washington, D.C. - All Day

Men's Tennis at Patriot League Tournament - Final - Lewisburg, Pa. - 1 p.m.

Baseball v Holy Cross - Annapolis, Md. - 2 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

19 Apr - Women's Crew vs Georgetown on the Severn.

21-27 Apr - Huntsville, Alabama Navy Week

23 Apr - Bonds of Gold Ceremony Class of 1977 and Class of 2027 - Mahan Hall

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

14 May - U.S. Naval Institute “Correcting Course: Revitalizing the Shipbuilding Industry to Meet Strategic Demands” Speaker Panel - Jack C. Taylor Conference Center, USNA - 4:45p.m.

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

28 May - Debut of the new usna.com

 

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

7 Aug - Class of 2029 Plebe Parent Mixer, Fluegel

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 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Kickoff Dinner w/ Football Coaching Staff

28-31 Aug - Class of 2010 15th Reunion

28-31 Aug - Class of 1960 65th Reunion

29 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Fallen Brothers Golf Classic & Evening Social

30 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Tailgater, NMCMS

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

 

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

4 Sep - Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Medal Ceremony - 4:30pm - Alumni Hall

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

18-21 Sep - Class of 1985 - 40th Reunion

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

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

 

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th Reunion

2 5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

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

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day

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

13 Oct - U.S. Navy Birthday

13 Oct - Surface Navy Museum Grand Opening - Battleship Iowa - Los Angeles

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 2005 20th 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 @ North Texas, DATCU Stadium, Denton TX

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

6-9 Nov - Class of 1980 45th Reunion

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

10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday

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

14 Nov - US Naval Academy Athletic & Scholarship Program Fall Meeting, NMCMS

15 Nov - Navy vs University of South Florida, NMCMS

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes - Location TBD

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents Fall 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