23 Apr Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

1890 - The Navy commissions Cushing (Torpedo Boat No. 1), its first torpedo boat.

 

1918 - While serving with the Fifth Marine Regiment on the Western Front, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Gordon Lyle, DC, rushes to the side of Corporal Thomas Regan, USMC, administering surgical aid under heavy shellfire and saving the man's life. Lyle is awarded the Medal of Honor.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

It began as a childhood dream and took flight before he had even been to the Yard. Through combat missions, test pilot school and into space— MajGen Charles Bolden '68, USMC (Ret.) shares his remarkable story of how a single letter launched a journey he never could've imagined, nor will he forget. In this Legacy of Valor: Vietnam War video, Bolden, a 2018 Distinguished Graduate, shares how leadership and courage are built far beyond the battlefield—because sometimes, the hardest moments are what prepare us for liftoff.

In coordination with this week's Legacy of Valor Series: Vietnam-Navy Seals, USNA Alumni travel along with WWII Museum will be offering Paris to Pointe Du Hoc October 25-November 2, 2026 featuring guest lecturer Navy SEAL Author Ben Milligan. Ben Milligan brings firsthand experience and insight as a combat veteran in his new book, By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy SEALs. This fundamental new historic account of the SEAL Teams offers an insider's view of desperate last stands and inspirational characters who accomplish the impossible. By Water Beneath the Walls presents a compelling perspective of the beginning of U.S. Special Operations units–and how and why they have evolved over time. The 8 night program includes 4 nights aboard the SS Joie De Vivre and 4 nights at a hand selected 5-star chateau. Most meals including (8) breakfast, (3) lunches, (8) dinners. House wines, beer and spirits included while onboard the SS Joie de Vivre and during lunch and dinners during the land program. Starting at: $7899pp *when booked by Dec. 31, 2025. For more information, please email Amy Garwood [email protected] or Lisa Clapp lisa.clapp@nationalww2museum.org.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Unmanned undersea vessels eyed by Pentagon as key part of Navy growth 

As pressure rises on the U.S. Navy to boost its shipbuilding capacity, the Pentagon has released a call for a new type of undersea vessel called the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform, or CAMP, an unmanned system built “to maximize operational effectiveness in contested environments,” according to the solicitation released by the Defense Innovation Unit.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy will host a Wall of Gallantry Induction ceremony on Friday April 25, 2025. For the last 20 years more than 140 Academy graduates have been recognized for heroic acts of service by being inducted into the Hall of Heroes Wall of Gallantry, part of a memorial in Chase Hall. This year the following alums will be honored for actions that will serve as an inspiration for the future leaders of the service: Brian Kudrle '05, who received two Distinguished Flying Cross awards. One for his part in the massive Coast Guard response to Hurricane Harvey, flying over 30 hours of day and night helicopter missions where he and his crew rescued more than 100 people in an urban disaster environment. Richard Andrews '67, who was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device for meritorious service as a Patrol Boat Commander during combat operations in the Vietnam War. Chad Asplund '92, who transferred to the U.S. Army and received the Bronze Star for courage and commitment to mission accomplishment as a member of Combined Joint Task Force 76 during coalition military operations in the war in Afghanistan. Daniel Ward '96, a Special Agent with the U.S. Dept. of State who was presented the department's Extra Mile Award for operational, logistic, and security planning as part of a classified mission in Beirut, Lebanon by the Secretary of State.

The U.S. Air Force has restored several online articles about retired Col. Nicole Malachowski, the first female Thunderbird pilot, after they were previously removed as part of the Trump administration's directive to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion content from military websites.  Malachowski, a Colorado native who served 21 years as a fighter pilot, had her accomplishments documented in multiple articles on military websites before they were taken down at the administration's request. This is not the first time the Air Force Academy has complied with Trump's executive order over DEI programs. Currently, the Air Force Academy is conducting an audit of courses that the current administration has questioned their need for.

The Army West Point Black Knights football team isn't used to losing players to the transfer portal, but another got away on Sunday. Per multiple reports, including 247 Sports, former Army pass rusher Elo Modozie committed to the Georgia Bulldogs, one of three players that committed to the program. Modozie is the second high-profile Army player to transfer after last season. Running back Kanye Udoh transferred to Arizona State after two seasons, making him one of the replacements to Cam Skateboo, who is about to be drafted by an NFL team. Modozie was the highest-rated defensive transfer in the portal at the time of his commitment, per 247 Sports.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Yesterday's Result

Baseball v William & Mary - L 3-9

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

23 Apr - '77 Class Mtg - 8:30 -11:30 - Fluegel Alumni Center

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 - 4:45 p.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 Aug - USNA Classes begin

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 - Alumni Hall, 4:30 p.m.

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 1995 30th 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 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