10 Jul Daily Shipmate

Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

1943 - Naval forces under the overall command of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew B. Cunningham of the British Royal Navy supported Operation Husky, putting troops ashore on Sicily. The Western Naval Task Force, under the command of Vice Admiral H. Kent Hewitt, Class of 1906, landed the U.S. Seventh Army.

 

1945 - The carriers of Task Force 38, under Vice Admiral John S. McCain '31, launched air strikes against Japanese airfields around Tokyo.

1962 - LTjg Robert Smith '60, USN was lost when the F-8U he was piloting crashed at Cecil Field, Florida. He was survived by his wife, who gave birth to their first child in December 1962.

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). The Class of 2029 is settling in for the real meat of plebe summer. Chirs and John talk about the happenings on the yard and how the culture of plebe summer has shifted from “running people out” to training the plebes properly. The number of attritions each summer seems to have faded as a conversation point. We discuss. And our interview is a doozy this week. Mitch Harris '08 is the only USNA graduate to play in major league baseball since the 1920s. Mitch graduated. Served 5 years as a SWO, Continued to chase his MLB dream and realized it with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015. He just wrote a book about his journey - My Private War. Chris and John break down the book and lessons Mitch learned along the way. Thanks for listening…and Beat Army. Always.

Listen on

On July 3rd, close to 200 patriotic residents, veterans, family and friends gathered in Mission Viejo, (Orange County) CA. to honor Major Megan Malia Leilani McClung '95.  The ceremony was to name the city of Mission Viejo Post Office Building in her honor. Megan grew up in the local community and went on to be the first female student at Admiral Farragut Academy in Tom's River, New Jersey on a Naval Academy Foundation (A&SP) Scholarship, and then to the Naval Academy. She graduated and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in May 1995. She was killed in 2006 when her Humvee struck an improvised explosive device after escorting a FOX News crew to the Governance Center, and a Newsweek reporter to a Coalition outpost in the city. The ceremony included remarks by Megan's friend and classmate Brett Potts '95 and her brother Mark. Megan's mother Re was also in attendance.

Two faculty members from Palm Beach Atlantic University received Fulbright Scholar awards. Dr. Thomas Parham, professor of communication and media studies, will research how streaming services and U.S. runaway production affect Canadian cultural identity. He will conduct research at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. He graduated from USNA in 1985 with a B.S. in English and stayed on as a graduate assistant for a semester to teach two sections of HE 111 and tutor in the Writing Center. Parham spent seven years on active duty, during which he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. He left the Navy to complete graduate studies in performing arts and communication studies. Dr. Parham worked at Paramount Pictures in the mid-90s as supervisor of publishing for the studio's licensing division and also worked on more than 100 episodes of broadcast television during that decade.

Government & Military News

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to give the Pentagon greater control over equipment repairs by requiring contractors to provide the technical data and materials the military needs to maintain its own equipment. The legislation, dubbed as the “Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025,” seeks to prohibit the Defense Department from entering into contracts for goods unless the contractor agrees in writing to provide “fair and reasonable access” to parts, tools, software and technical information used to diagnose, maintain or repair those goods. The bill defines “fair and reasonable” as providing the Defense Department similar terms, conditions and prices that a contractor already offers to its authorized repair providers.

The Department of Agriculture announced a new governmentwide, multiprong effort focused on ensuring America's ability to secure its own food supply, in part by eliminating interference from adversarial nations. But the National Farm Security Action Plan isn't just about food or farms. The Defense Department benefits as well. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins explained the significance of the first action item in the National Farm Security Action Plan, which she said is likely the most important.

Local, Education & other academy news

Amalgamated Financial Corp. announced the addition of two new board members to their Board of Directors July 1st, Steven SaLoutos and Tony Wells '86. They will also serve on the Board of Directors of Amalgamated Bank. “We are thrilled to welcome Steven and Tony to our Board of Directors,” said Lynne Fox, Chair of the Board. Mr. Wells brings nearly four decades of executive leadership across highly regulated industries including banking, payment services, telecommunications, and energy. Mr. Wells holds a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy and a Management Certificate from Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business.

Bob McCaffrey's children are saddened to announce his death on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 93 years old.  Bob was a resident of Kennett Square, PA. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Bob attended LaSalle Academy for high school.  After completing a year at Brown University, Bob was awarded a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy and graduated near the top of his class in 1954.  While at the Academy, Bob met then married Joan Fitzgerald in September 1956.   Inspired by the hospice care given to his wife Joan, Bob became a devoted hospice volunteer for 25 years, providing support to hospice patients and their families well into his 80's. Bob loved two sports teams – Navy Football and Villanova Men's Basketball.  Bob, his son, Brian, his nephew, Bill Fitzgerald and other family/ friends attended over 30 Army Navy football games and cheered loudly in all weather for a Navy win.  All three of Bob's children graduated from Villanova University ensuring a strong connection to the school.

While most of Smithfield (VA) High School's college-bound 2025 graduates spend one last summer together in their hometown before heading to their respective schools, cross country standout Madelyn Berry is already starting the next chapter of her life as a Navy midshipman.  Less than two weeks after walking across the stage to receive her diploma, Berry left for Annapolis, Maryland. She's the first Isle of Wight County Schools graduate in 25 years to earn an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, and the first female in the county's history to be appointed to any of the five service academies.

USNA and AA&F Events

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

15 Aug - 2 for 7 Signing - Class of 2027

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

9-16 Oct - Celebrating The Navy and Marine Corps' 250th Anniversary - Philadelphia

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