29 May Daily Shipmate

Thursday, May 29, 2025

1917 - The Cruiser and Transport Force is established under the command of Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves, Class of 1877. During the Great War, the force transports 911,047 troops across the Atlantic without losing a single person to enemy action.

 

1942 - LCDR Donald Lovelace '28, USN was lost when one of his squadron-mates crashed their F4F-4 Hellcat into Don's on the deck of USS Yorktown (CV 5). He had been the executive officer of Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, and was temporarily assigned to that squadron while waiting for the formation of Fighting Squadron (VF) 2. He had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; USS Lovelace (DE 198) was named for him and sponsored by his widow.

 

1976 - Tarawa (LHA-1), the first of the multipurpose amphibious assault ships featuring a flight deck for operating helicopters and AV-8 Harrier jets, as well as a floodable docking well for launching landing craft, is commissioned.

 

1991 - The first serious ground fighting of Operation Desert Storm broke out when Iraqi troops mounted an attack into Saudi Arabia along a 40-mile front. Iraqi units centered their efforts on Khafji, a port city six miles south of the border. Saudi and Quatari troops, supported by artillery from the 1st Marine Division and attack helicopters and other allied coalition aircraft, recaptured the town two days later.

Academy & Graduate happenings

After more than two years of relentless overhaul, the Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation has fired the celebration cannon and launched the all-new usna.com—a high-speed, mission-driven resource and powerhouse that streamlined over 1,000 outdated pages into a sleek and efficient 100. A log-in system with multi-platform sign-in (email, Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn) and a search engine optimized to surface exactly what you need, almost instantly. Every reunion, alumni event, and career-defining connection is now at your fingertips. This is more than an in-house redesign and update—it's a modern launchpad for our global alumni community. And if you're not exploring it right now, it's like missing your shot at Army-Navy tickets. Dive in - a better experience awaits!

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 pod this week as we sit down with Wendy Lawrence '81. Wendy walks us through her decision to attend the Naval Academy, the role her father played in that decision and her time as a female mid in the early days of integration on the yard. She also chats us up about being in space, the first mission after the Columbia disaster, being a USNA Distinguished Graduate and her take on the latest happening on the yard in Nimitz Library. A great conversation. Check it out. Chris and John also talk about the new usna.com, last week's graduation and the awesome events on the horizon in June. Beat Army ... always.

Listen on

Government & Military News

Retired and active operators, civilians, and combat support representing warfighters from every era of American combat since the Vietnam War, reunited with former and current teammates on May 22, 2025, to celebrate a milestone – 50 years of Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 1. Established on April 1, 1975, NSWG-1 was created in response to a directive from Washington, D.C., instructing the Commander of Naval Surface Forces U.S. Pacific Fleet (now called U.S. Pacific Fleet) to establish a permanent home for the group at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Building on a legacy that began before 1962, Naval Special Warfare Group 1's 50th anniversary celebrates a half-century of continuous adaptation and unwavering commitment following President Kennedy's initial direction to establish the force.

Pentagon officials on Tuesday announced a new review of Defense Department support programs for homeschooled students in military families, part of a larger administration effort to expand education options from kindergarten through high school. The review, directed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this month, calls for officials to evaluate “current support for homeschooling military-connected families, as well as best practices, including the feasibility of providing facilities or access to other resources for those students.”

Please join the Navy Memorial for a Wreath-Laying Ceremony in honor of the 83rd Anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Event Details: When: June 4th at 10:00am EDT; Where: Online or in person on the Navy Memorial Plaza. This event will feature the U.S. Navy Band & U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. Light Reception to follow in the Visitors Center. Military historians have called the Battle of Midway the most stunning victory in naval warfare… one of the most consequential naval engagements in world history. Our incredible men and women of the Sea Services executed a relentless campaign against the enemy and forced them to retreat. This battle was a major turning point during World War II — a decisive victory for the Americans and a substantial blow to enemy forces, from which they never recovered. And it was all thanks to the strategy, bravery, and heroism of our Sea Service members.

Local, Education & other academy news

Army West Point claimed the Patriot League Presidents' Cup, winning three League Championships during the 2024-25 academic year to finish atop the leaderboard. The Black Knights also topped the women's standings, while Navy collected the men's title for the third straight year. Army West Point earned 150.25 overall points to capture the Patriot League Presidents' Cup for the fifth time in program history and the first time since the 2004-05 academic year (Presidents' Cup History), snapping Navy's record-breaking streak of 10 straight overall titles. Navy finished second with 142.25 overall points, while Bucknell (139.75), Boston University (136.5) and Lehigh (112.25) make up the top five.

“Tactical Transitions: Franchise Ownership as the Next Chapter” - Hear from Vets who leveraged their strengths to build thriving businesses. Tuesday, June 17 @ 1pm EST.

USNA and AA&F Events

JUNE

2 Jun - Colorado Chapter & NAPC of CO & WY Roadshow - Alpha Charlie's Tap & Tavern - 5:30 p.m.

10 Jun - USNA Women Trauma Survivor Webinar - 7-9 pm ET. Virtual event: Major (USAF) Latetia Bland-Thergood, MSW speaking on the topic: "Exploring Moral Injury"

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

26 Sep - Council of Annual Giving meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

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 - 7:30 p.m.

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