4 Jun Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.

1934 - Ranger (CV-4), the first ship in the U.S. Navy built from the keel up as an aircraft carrier, is commissioned.

 

1942 -  LCDR John Waldron '24, USN was killed in action when his torpedo bomber was shot down during the Battle of Midway. He was commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 8, flying from USS Hornet (CV 8). His entire squadron was destroyed in the raid; fifteen aircraft were shot down and only one of thirty pilots and crew survived. John was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. USS Waldron (DD 699) was commissioned barely two years after his death; other namesakes include an outlying field at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Camp Waldron in Idaho, and the John C. Waldron bridge in South Dakota. Fourteen other alumni were killed in action on this date, though only one (LT Raymond Moore '37, USN) was a member of VT-8.

Academy & Graduate happenings

From Chris Cikanovich '75 - 4 June is the 50th Anniversary of the graduation for the Class of 1975. A small crew will meet at the stadium to celebrate by hoisting a toast then reassemble for lunch, drinks and sea stories.  We will meet at Gate M which is the 75 gate at 1100. 

Change up your lunch with some new options this summer. There will be food trucks in the Midstore Lot, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Government & Military News

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the renaming of a U.S. Navy ship named after San Francisco gay rights activist Harvey Milk. The Military Times first reported on a memorandum issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Navy rolling out plans to rename the oiler USNS Harvey Milk. The outlet reported that a defense official said the U.S. Navy was making preparations to strip the ship of its name and that Hegseth had directed Navy Secretary John Phelan to do so. The Military Times also reported the official saying the timing of the announcement during Pride month was intentional.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea commemorated its 30th anniversary with a colors rededication ceremony held ahead of its official anniversary on June 1, 2025. Established in 1995 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, MARFORK serves as the U.S. Marine Corps service component to United States Forces Korea with the mission of ensuring the readiness of Marine Corps forces on the Korean Peninsula, strengthening interoperability with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and supporting combined and joint exercises.

A Marine Attack Squadron has flown its final Harrier flight and is set for official deactivation in September at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The Marine Attack Squadron VMA 231, known as the “Ace of Spades,” flew its final AV-8B Harrier II flight May 29, according to a Marine release. “Today is not a sad day,” Lt. Col. Paul Truog '06, current commanding officer of VMA-231, said in the release. “This is a momentous day for Marine aviation. It's a day that we're going to celebrate.”

Local, Education & other academy news

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Truog is the VMA-231 Commanding Officer and a native of Illinois and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to attend The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, in July 2006. After completing the Basic School, he attended Aviation Preflight Indoctrination in Pensacola, Florida, with follow-on training at NAS Corpus Christi for Primary Flight training.

USNA and AA&F Events

JUNE

7 Jun - Naval Engineers & STEM Advocates SIG “Women Can Fly” event - Warrenton-Fauquier Airport

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"

11 Jun - Hampton Roads Chapter - Midshipmen Meet and Greet Social - 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

333 Waterside Dr #108, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA

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

 

July

9 Jul - Hampton Roads Chapter - Chapter event with Navy Offensive Coordinator Drew Cronic  and Midshipmen Meet & Greet Social. 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District. More Info

14-16 Jul - YP visit to Yorktown, VA.

 

AUGUST

1-3 Aug - Seattle Sea Fair

4-10 Aug - Sioux Falls, South Dakota Navy Week

6 Aug - Hampton Roads Chapter Midshipmen Summer Cruise Meet and Greet - Norfolk - 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

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

10 Oct - Army-Navy Cup XIV. Soccer doubleheader vs Army at Subaru Park, Philadelphia. Women's Match - 4:00 p.m., Men's Match at 7:00 p.m.

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 - Run to Honor's annual pre-Honor Our Fallen Heroes Gathering (FAC)

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