26 Jun Daily Shipmate

Thursday, Jun 26, 2025

1918 - BGen James G. Harbord, the Commanding General of the 4th Marine Brigade, notified American Expeditionary Force Headquarters that Belleau Wood was "now U.S. Marine Corps entirely." After 20 days of combat, and at a cost of over 4,000 casualties, the 4th Brigade of Marines had proven its fighting heart. The grateful Commander of the French Sixth Army would soon decree that in all official correspondence, Belleau Wood would henceforth bear the name, "Bois de la Brigade de Marine."

 

1993 - In response to an assassination plot on former President George H.W. Bush during a visit to Kuwait, the destroyer Peterson (DD-969) and the guided missile cruiser Chancellorsville (CG-62) launch 23 Tomahawk cruise missiles against the Iraqi Intelligence Service headquarters in Baghdad.

2006 - 1LT Brian R.S.J. Deforge '03, USMC was lost when the F/A-18C Hornet he was piloting collided with another over Monterey County, California. He was a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125. Brian was a native of Plattsburgh, New York, and was survived by his wife, two children, mother, father, step-mother, step-father, and five brothers.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Episode 5 of the Stockdale Cetner's short film series, showcasing how the Naval Academy is gearing up for the Great Power Competition, has just been released. This 38 minute film centers on ethical responsibility, our sacred duty to honor sacrifice in war and how the Academy meets the challenge of developing the next generation of leaders in the warrior-philosopher tradition of VADM James B. Stockdale.

The Fluegel Alumni Center was filled with energy and anticipation as 44 students from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Class of 2029 and their families gathered for an ice cream social hosted by the USNA Alumni Association and Foundation (USNA AA&F) in honor of our Athletic and Scholarship Program (A&SP) students. The event offered incoming Plebes a chance to meet classmates, connect with mentors and Yard leaders, and gave parents the opportunity to build their Blue and Gold communities with one another. USNA AA&F President and CEO Jeff Webb '95 noted the event also served as an introduction to the resources and support network A&SP provides throughout the Naval Academy journey. Guests were welcomed by many alumni and leaders including USNA Superintendent VADM Yvette Davids '89, USN, Commandant of Midshipmen Capt Gilbert E. Clark Jr. '98, USN, A&SP Chairman ADM Bill Moran '81, USN (Ret.), several A&SP Board members and USNA AA&F leaders. It was a joyful first gathering in Annapolis, full of nervous excitement, warm introductions and helpful advice as these future leaders took their first steps on the path to becoming Naval officers and serving our Navy and Marine Corps.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

The Navy remains years behind in projected ship deliveries and cannot provide firm timelines for improvement, military officials told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on Tuesday. The hearing saw testimony from Navy Secretary John Phelan, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith and Navy Adm. James Kilby '86, acting chief of naval operations. Kilby told lawmakers that the Navy is “laser-focused on China as our most consequential opponent” and noted the service has set an “ambitious goal to make 80% of our ships, submarines and aircraft combat surge-ready by 1 January 2027.”

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Please join us in welcoming five outstanding interns who are bringing their energy, ambition and fresh perspectives to support our mission this summer. These talented individuals are already diving into meaningful work across development, communications, data and alumni relations. We're excited for the skills and dedication they'll bring to our team this summer. Welcome aboard, Carly, Evan, Sara, Mandee, Michelle and TJ!

Capt. George A. Kessler, Jr. Retires After 30 Years of Service

Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC), fellow shipmates, family, and friends celebrated Capt. George A. Kessler, Jr.'s remarkable journey after 30 years of honorable and dedicated naval service, May 29, onboard Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Virginia. Kessler, a native of Albany, Missouri, received his Bachelor of Science and earned his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1995. In addition, he holds a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, is a 2009 graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, and was a 2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow.

Naval Air Station Whiting Field welcomes a new executive officer for the base as Cmdr. Stephanie Biehle assumes command of her new post. Biehle, a native of San Diego, assumes command as the primary overseer of the base's daily operations, training and discipline, ensuring smooth coordination of personnel while enforcing security protocols and maintaining readiness. "My duties are to provide comprehensive support to the commanding officer which allows him the ability to think strategically by attacking the tactical tasks such as day-to-day operations," Biehle said. Biehle graduated from the the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in English and earned her naval aviator wings onboard NAS Pensacola in 2008.

Out of 9,623 applicants, only 1,121 appointees will become the U.S. Air Force's Class of 2029. Additionally, Class of 2029 includes 12 international appointees. June 25, 2025, marks the beginning of their journey with the in-processing day, or I-Day. Cadets begin at the Holaday Athletic Center, where they take their oath of service and agree to serve a minimum of five years on active duty as an officer in the Air Force after their graduation.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

JUNE

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. 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District. More Info

14-16 Jul - YP visit to Yorktown, VA

18 Jul - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

25 Jul - Plebe SummerFormal parade

25 Jul - Hampton Roads Chapter/NAPC of Hampton Roads Roadshow - Blue Moon Taphouse, Norfolk - 5:30 p.m.

26 Jul - VA Peninsula Chapter Roadshow - Revolution Golf & Grille, Williamsburg - 12 p.m.

26 Jul - Richmond Chapter/NAPC of Central Virginia Roadshow - Capital Ale House, Glen Allen - 5:30 p.m.

27 Jul - NAPC of SW Virginia Roadshow - Macado's, Roanoke - 12 p.m.

27 Jul - Central VA Chapter/NAPC of Central Virginia Roadshow - Three Notch'd Brewery, Charlottesville - 5:30 p.m.

 

AUGUST

1 Aug - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

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 p.m. - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

7 Aug - Class of 2029 Plebe Parent Mixer, Fluegel

8-10 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend

9 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend Formal Parade

9 Aug - Blue & Gold kick-off BBQ - N/MCMS

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 - A&SP/NAAA Trustee Appreciation Pre-Game Breakfast – Navy vs. VMI

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

1-22 Oct - Class of '75 Gulf to Goat Charity Bike Ride

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th 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 p.m., Men's Match at 7 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 2005 20th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th 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 - 6:30p.m. - Register

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