14 Jul Daily Shipmate

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

1945 - LCDR Richard Crommelin '38, USN was lost when his aircraft collided with another while on a combat mission near the Hokkaido, Japan. He was commanding officer of Fighting Squadron (VF) 88, operating from USS Yorktown (CV 10). He was twice awarded the Navy Cross, as well as a Legion of Merit and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Richard was one of five brothers who graduated from the Naval Academy. The oldest, CDR Charles Crommelin '31, USN, was killed in action in late March 1945. USS Crommelin (FFG 37) was named for the five Crommelin brothers.

 

1952 - The keel for the Navy's first supercarrier, Forrestal (CV-59), is laid at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Norfolk, Virginia.

1993 - The USS IWO JIMA was decommissioned after over 30 years of service in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia. The ship was named for the World War II battle during which three Marine divisions ousted 20,000 entrenched Japanese troops. The Iwo Jima was commissioned 26 August 1961, and it was the first ship specifically designed as an amphibious assault ship from the keel up.

Academy & Graduate happenings

It is with a heavy heart that the Navy Football Brotherhood informs our fellow alumni of the loss of our 05' brother, Thomas J. Costello.  As many of you know, “TJ” collapsed while on his daily lunch time run on Tuesday, 8 July.  The medical examiner has confirmed he suffered a severe heart attack. TJ leaves behind his wife Julia and three amazing children - Claira (13), Harper (15) and Finley (18), who is currently a plebe in the Class of '29  - as well as many other family and friends.  He will be greatly missed. As we deal with this tremendous loss, we are hoping to show extended support for our brother and his family. TJ was immensely proud to be part of the Navy Football Brotherhood.  He was the heart and soul of the '05 Inside Backer Corps. We anticipate a wave of support to help his  family through this trying time. Please consider donating to the non-profit Navy Football Brotherhood. 100% of the funds will go to the family. The Navy Football Brotherhood is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization that serves and supports the United States Naval Academy football program and more specifically the players of the past, present, and future. Direct donations can be sent to the Navy Football Brotherhood via the following methods:

 

1. Navy Football Brotherhood's PayPal Business Account: Click "Personal transfer for family or friends" to avoid the service charge. Please indicate that your donation is for “TJ Costello.”

2. Credit Card: Also via PayPal - Please indicate that your donation is for “TJ Costello.”

3. Venmo: @NavyFootball-Brotherhood, nfb@navyfootballbrotherhood.org, or 443-714-2991. Please indicate that your donation is for “TJ Costello.”

4. If looking to mail a check, do an online bank transfer, or donate stock assets, please contact nfb@navyfootballbrotherhood.org and treasurer@navyfootballbrotherhood.org.

5. Navy Football Brotherhood's Facebook Account: Fundraiser that connects to the above Navy Football Brotherhood donation channels.

6. Memorial Page: Webpage that will list his upcoming obituary, memorial details, and a donation option that connects to the above Navy Football Brotherhood donation channels.

Here is the cover photo of the next issue, which should be hitting mailboxes in your neighborhood on or about August 1st.

Douglas Lemott Jr. '95, currently serving as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Analysis and Resilience Center for Systemic Risk, has spent over three decades in the cybersecurity and IT sectors. Before taking on his current role, Lemott was the VP of Security Operations and Deputy CISO at SAP National Security Services, where he developed advanced cybersecurity programs. His career is further enriched by his tenure as Director of Security and Compliance at VMware, a role he assumed after a distinguished 27-year service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Government & Military News

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighters operated from the U.K. Royal Navy (RN) aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) on Tuesday as part of the run-up to the U.S.-Australian led Exercise Talisman Sabre, according to the Royal Navy. Photos released by the Royal Navy dated to Tuesday show two F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242) “Bats” carrying out refuelling and launch preparations from the Royal Navy carrier. The squadron is embarked aboard USS America (LHA-6). 

A large-scale military exercise that brought more than 8,000 servicemembers and several warships to the coast of Virginia Beach has concluded, according to the U.S. Navy. While it's not rare to see large ships floating near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the training exercise caused many residents to wonder why military boats were posted in the area. Allies from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom joined U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command for Atlantic Alliance 2025. The exercise included 8,500 sailors, Marines, and allied personnel across more than 25 units. During the exercise, service members rehearsed and refined U.S. Navy and Marine Corps amphibious capabilities along the coastline from North Carolina to Maine.

With more than one in 10 Americans facing an increased risk of stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure because of untreated sleep apnea, a new University of Maryland School of Medicine study shows active-duty military members face a far greater risk of suffering post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury when compared to those who don't have the condition. “Sleep apnea is associated with a very broad range of adverse psychiatric and medical outcomes, including increased risk of depression, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and what are called musculoskeletal injuries, often broken bones,” said Emerson Wickwire, who holds a doctorate in psychology and is the section chief of sleep medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Local, Education & other academy news

The premier networking event for service academy grads exploring new career paths in business, tech, consulting, higher education, and more.Meet directly with top-tier employers and graduate programs that understand the value of your leadership and experience. Whether you're looking to transition, pivot or simply network, SACC San Diego should be your next step.

John Ismay '99 is  a reporter for The New York Times covering the Pentagon with a focus on armed conflict and the defense industry. I write about the Defense Department, which consumes the largest portion of discretionary spending in the federal budget, and its activities both in the U.S. and overseas. My stories often focus on armed conflict, and I frequently collaborate with our Visual Investigations team and other colleagues from across the newsroom on topics related to weapons and munitions. I spent about eight years as a bomb disposal technician in the U.S. Navy, which gave me a fairly thorough education in how weapons used by militaries and insurgents are designed and how they function. Before that, I served as the gunnery officer on a destroyer in the Pacific. I deployed overseas several times and qualified as a deep-sea diving and salvage officer and naval parachutist. I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a history degree in 1999 and earned a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University in 2014 thanks to funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

An Angelo State University and Cooper High School alumnus, now an administration limited duty officer (LDO) assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), was honored by members of the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Class of 1971 for his ethics and leadership during a ceremony onboard the ship, June 9. Lt. Michael Rangel, from San Angelo, Texas, who currently works as Ship's Secretary to Theodore Roosevelt Commanding Officer Capt. Brian Schrum '96, received the Ethical Character in Leadership award from members of the USNA Class of 1971. The organization established the award to promote the development of ethical leadership qualities and formally recognize exceptional junior officer performance. The USNA Class of '71 has a unique relationship with Theodore Roosevelt, which grew from the commonality between their graduation year and the ship's hull number.

The United States Military Academy is undergoing a holistic 15 to 20-year modernization effort to renovate, retrofit, and modernize facilities, programs. capabilities, and infrastructure to provide the most highly qualified, capable, and ready officers for the Nation. 

USNA and AA&F Events

July

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 (FAC) - 6:30pm - 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