28 Apr Daily Shipmate

Monday, April 28, 2025

1917 - LT Clarence Thomas '08, USN was killed in action when the merchant steamship SS Vacuum was torpedoed by a German submarine. He was the officer in charge of the vessel's naval guard. Clarence was the first naval officer killed in WWI. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. He was survived by his wife, Evelyn; she later married H.B. Kelly '06, who died in 1942, and Francis Traynor '10.

 

1962 - Reflecting President John F. Kennedy's emphasis on unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency operations, the Navy created two Sea Air Land (SEAL) teams. The SEALs were successors to the Underwater Demolition Teams formed during World War II.

 

1993 - The last A-6E Intruder departed from Marine Corps service. Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 332 transferred the last Marine A-6E to St. Augustine, Florida, and prepared for the squadron's transition to the F/A-18D and eventual movement from Cherry Point to Beaufort, South Carolina.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). A special visit to the Fluegel Alumni Center this week by Al Siegrist '99 and Mike Lisa '99. They were in Annapolis to speak with Midshipmen and staff at the Stockdale Center about their perspectives as recipients of the Navy's premiere recognition of senior leadership in uniform - THe James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership. Mike was an aviator and skipper of VAQ 135 at the time, and Al Siegrist was a SWO and the CO of USS James E Williams.The award was established in 1980 and first awarded in 1981, with only two recipients per year...one from LANTFLT and one from PACFLT.  Of the 87 awardees of the Stockdale Award in the lifetime of its existence, 51 have been alumni of the United States Naval Academy. So it was great to get Mike and Al's perspectives. Chris and John also break down a great time at the Baseball park for the AA&F staff, the upcoming Council of Class Presidents meeting and the issues in the news for USNA.

LISTEN ON

Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) hosted 14 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy on April 24, for a tour of NMRC's facilities and capabilities.  NMRC staff and leadership briefed the midshipmen on the command's labs, operations and opportunities to help them better understand Navy Medicine capabilities, and to prepare them to begin their careers as the future generation of Navy Medicine officers. “At NMRC we don't just do research for the Navy, we develop the medical minds of tomorrow that will lead Navy Medicine and research in the future operational environments,” said Cmdr. Rhonda Lizewski, deputy science director with NMRC. “We had the opportunity to demonstrate to senior midshipmen that are accepted to medical school how we integrate the operational needs of the Navy with cutting-edge research and development that is uniquely tailored to support the Navy and Marine Corps warfighting team.”

Report: President Trump order causes some to resign at US Naval Academy. 

President Donald Trump's executive order that he says would end 'racial indoctrination' in schools has forced several resignations at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, according to a new report. The New York Times said that at least two faculty members have resigned over the ban on nearly 400 books at the library of the Naval Academy. Another 18 have opted for early retirement. The New York Times said their sources spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Times also said that leadership initially pushed back on the executive order because the institute is an 'academy' and not a college.

CDR Adam Hudson '06 was joined by family, friends, co-workers and Class of 2006 classmates as he retired from the Navy April 25th at Dahlgren Hall on the grounds of his alma mater in Annapolis. Adam played basketball while at Navy and served as an Information Warfare Officer. Adam is also the co-host of the 20:06 podcast, a pod chronicling the stories of the members of the class of 2006 and other USNA luminaries.

Classes volunteer in many ways to benefit the Naval Academy. They elect class officers who keep track of their classmates and spouses and coordinate their class reunions and get-togethers to strengthen bonds. Volunteers form committees for Another Link in the Chain to serve as mentors for midshipmen all 4 years at the Academy. Many classmates serve as Blue & Gold Officers to recruit the next generation of midshipmen. Classes also choose major fundraising projects and rally their classmates to make major gifts back to the Academy to support the Margin of Excellence. It all begins with the classes!

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Capt. Colin Thompson will relieve Capt. Beth Regoli '99 as commanding officer of Naval Air Station Key West in a ceremony scheduled for May 30, at 10 a.m. in Hangar A-981 on Boca Chica Field. Regoli has been at NAS Key West for three years and will celebrate her 26-year Naval career during a retirement ceremony as part of the change of command.Before taking over a NASKW base commander, Regoli at the U.S. Naval Academy, where she was a battalion officer. Other previous duty assignments included flying the P-3C Orion with the “Fighting Marlins” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 and flying the T-34C with the “Boomers” of Training Squadron (VT) 27 as an instructor pilot, and as flag lieutenant for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3 aboard aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). From 2012 to 2014, Regoli served as Naval military aide to the vice president under then-Vice President Joseph R. Biden. In 2015, Regoli joined VP-9 “Golden Eagles,” where she served as the commanding officer.

Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 held a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), April 24. Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt '94 relieved Rear Adm. Michael Wosje and assumed duties as the CSG-1 commander. Bauernschmidt, who previously served as the deputy commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, shared remarks after taking command of CSG-1. Bauernschmidt is a native of Milwaukee and graduated in 1994 from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. She earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, is a nuclear power school graduate, and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1996. Throughout her career, she has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours in naval aircraft. She commanded Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 (HSM-70) and USS San Diego (LPD 22). She was the first female officer to ever command an Aircraft Carrier, commanding USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) prior to her time at U.S. 7th Fleet.

While underway in March 2025, USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) hosted Capt Edward J. Pledger '00, Commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 was present during the final days of a month-long underway.  During the 25-day underway, Gonzalez participated in a series of high-level operations including USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)'s Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT), Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), and Operation Nautical Twilight involving the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. Gonzalez performed exceptionally throughout, prompting the Commodore's visit to witness the crew's performance firsthand and to celebrate their accomplishments. Capt. Pledger, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, brings more than 25 years of experience as a Surface Warfare Officer.

Secretary of the Department of the Navy John Phelan has released two memos cancelling a slew of grants and contracts aimed at what he called “eliminating wasteful spending” in the DoD, including those related to ship and aircraft maintenance software. “I commend the DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] team for finding these opportunities to help save the Navy and increase our readiness and war-fighting capability,” he said. Between the two memos the Pentagon will save almost $300 million, Phelan said in a video posted to X. In the memo related to maintenance, Phelan directed the termination of all contracts under the DON's Naval Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (NMRO) logistics program. The NMRO program was established to help predict potential system failures on ships and aircraft using artificial intelligence, digital twins and other predictive analytics.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) will host its first-ever Chesapeake Catfish Cookoff on Saturday, May 3, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at its Park Campus located at 7300 Edgewood Road in Annapolis, Maryland. The event is designed to address the growing threat of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay while promoting the fish as a potential new addition to the local culinary scene. The Chesapeake Catfish Cookoff will feature chefs from several well-known regional restaurants, including The Dabney, The Salt Line, Leo, Sea Salt, and Boatyard Bar & Grill. Competing chefs will prepare original dishes featuring blue catfish, with attendees able to sample the creations.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Weekend Results

Baseball at Lehigh - L 8-9

Men's Lacrosse at Bucknell - W 14-11

Women's Tennis at Patriot League Quarterfinals - W 4-0

Men's Golf at Patriot League Championship - 4th of 8 teams

 

Men's Track & Field at Penn Relays - NTS

Women's Track & Field at Penn Relays - NTS

Women's Rowing at Lake Wheeler Invite - 3rd

Women's Rugby 7's Collegiate Rugby Championship 1st Round - W 10-0, L 7-24

Women's Rugby 7's Collegiate Rugby Championship Quarterfinals - L 7-24

Women's Tennis at Patriot League Semifinals - L 0-4

Men's Golf at Patriot League Championship - 4th of 8 teams

 

Baseball at Lehigh - L 3-4, W 2-1

Women's Lacrosse at Patriot League Quarterfinals - W 19-2

Women's Rugby at 7's Collegiate Rugby Championship Semifinals - L 5-31

Women's Rugby at 7's Collegiate Rugby Championship Finals - W 30-0

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

APRIL

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

 

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

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

 

JUNE

10 Jun -  Trauma Survivor Webinar: Living and Leading as a Survivor with RADM Dana Thomas - 7-9 p.m.

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

 

AUGUST

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

 

SEPTEMBER

4 Sep - Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Medal Ceremony - Alumni Hall, 4:30 p.m.

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

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

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

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

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

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

 

OCTOBER

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

 

NOVEMBER

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

 

DECEMBER

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