17 Jul Daily Shipmate

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

1944 - During the loading of ammunition into the holds of the merchant vessels Quinault Victory and E. A. Bryan at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine, California, a series of explosions was triggered, igniting nearly 5,000 tons of munitions. E. A. Bryan was literally blown to pieces and the adjacent pier disintegrated. The force of the massive explosions was felt in San Francisco, 48 miles away.  A Coast Guard fire barge was blown away from the munitions pier and sank, taking its 5-man crew with it. The 320 individuals in the immediate proximity of the blasts—Navy personnel on the loading details, a Marine Corps sentry, the ships' Navy armed guard and merchant mariner crews, and civilian employees—were killed instantly. Of these, the remains of only 51 were identifiable afterward. African American Sailors comprised nearly two thirds of those killed. More than 250 other personnel were injured, a number seriously. 

 

While white Sailors were sent home to recover, African American Sailors were ordered back to work cleaning up the remains of the dead. When 50 African American Sailors refused to work under those conditions, they were charged with mutiny, sentenced to hard labor and dishonorably discharged. After decades of efforts by the defendants, their families, their advocates (including Thurgood Marshall and Eleanor Roosevelt in the immediate aftermath), Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro '83 last year signed orders setting aside those convictions.  Sean Coffey '78, who served as Del Toro's General Counsel of the Navy at the time, led the investigation and recommended the Sailors be exonerated.  Here's a link to a CBS Evening News clip about it. Both Del Toro and Coffey will be in attendance July 19th in Chicago at the 81st commemoration of that fateful event.  Coffey will be receiving an award from the Friends of Port Chicago for my role in the exoneration. Watch last year's CBS Evening News segment about the exonerations.

1945 - LCDR John Magee '39, USN was lost when his aircraft collided with another and crashed near Panama City, Florida. He was stationed aboard USS Shaw (DD 373) in December 1941, and was wounded when that ship was heavily damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After recovering, he became a Naval Aviator, and in May 1944 was commanding officer of Composite Squadron (VC) 55 aboard USS Block Island (CVE 21) when that ship was sunk by a German submarine off the Atlantic coast of Northern Africa. At the time of that sinking he and five other aircraft were aloft; John and another pilot were able to land safely on an island while the other four pilots were lost at sea. John was survived by his wife, infant son, parents, sister, and two brothers.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The Pat Tillman Foundation is proud to announce the 2025 Class of Tillman Scholars. These remarkable military veterans, service members, and spouses represent diverse backgrounds and exemplify the values Pat Tillman stood for: leadership, service, scholarship, and impact. Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, the new scholars join a community of changemakers dedicated to making a positive difference across fields such as medicine, law, education, public policy, technology, and the arts. Since its founding in 2004, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested more than $40 million in academic scholarships and leadership development, empowering Tillman Scholars to address some of society's most pressing challenges. Greg Knutson '01 is pursuing his Executive MBA at MIT. Daniel Chauvin '14 is pursuing his MBA at Harvard Business School.

 The Daily Shipmate brings you weekday updates with Shipmate-style features, the latest from USNA and Navy sports highlights—all in one convenient read…as you well know. Now you can catch up anytime by exploring previous issues on the media page of the new usna.com. 

Government & Military News

The Department of Defense submitted to Congress and released the Annual Report on Civilian Casualties in Connection with United States Military Operations in 2024. The submission to Congress and public release of this report is in fulfillment of Section 1057 of the FY18 National Defense Appropriations Act, as amended, which requires the Department to complete an annual report on civilian casualties in connection with U.S. military operations in the previous year. As required, the report lists each civilian casualty caused as the result of United States military operations by date, location, operation type (air or ground), and the number of civilians injured or killed. It also lists the processes for assessing reports of civilian casualties, the processes for considering whether to offer ex gratia payments, and the steps that the U.S. takes to mitigate civilian casualties.

Local, Education & other academy news

Governor Wes Moore announced this week the appointment of Ed Rothstein as the new Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, effective Aug. 1. Rothstein, a retired Army colonel and current Carroll County commissioner, will lead the department responsible for supporting the state's veteran and military communities. Ross Cohen, who has served as interim acting secretary, will continue in his role as deputy secretary. “Ed Rothstein has dedicated his career to serving this country and the people of Maryland,” Moore said in a statement. “I am honored that he has raised his hands once again to serve the state as Maryland's next secretary of the Department of Veterans and Military Families.”

USNA and AA&F Events

July

18 Jul - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

25 Jul - Plebe Summer Formal 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 - 5-7 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