23 Jul Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, Jul 23, 2025

1917 - While en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the cruiser Pittsburgh (ACR-4) suffers an ammunition explosion in a casemate. LT Willis Winter Bradley, Jr., Class of 1906, though rendered momentarily unconscious by the explosion, crawls into the casemate to extinguish burning materials, thus preventing further explosions. Seaman Ora Graves, after being blown to the deck, extinguishes burning waste and prevents flames from reaching powder in the casemate. Both receive the Medal of Honor for their efforts in saving their ship.

 

1952 - The “Great Eight” Midshipmen win the Gold medal in rowing at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland

 

Throwback - Nine Navy Golds: A green team in Navy blue struck Olympic Gold in 1952 to become the greatest rowing team in U.S. history. It was a golden moment in U.S. and Navy sports history when nine Navy midshipmen in USA uniforms stood on a Helsinki, Finland, boat landing in July 1952 to receive their Olympic Gold medals. It also was the pinnacle of an incredible rags-to-riches season for the 8-oared crew team that had just beaten Russia in the Olympic finals. The same eight oarsmen went on to row undefeated in 1953 and to win another Intercollegiate Rowing Association title. Both the 1952 and 1953 U.S. Naval Academy teams were enshrined by the Helms Athletic Foundation in its Rowing Hall of Fame, the only team in U.S. rowing history to be so doubly honored. The supremacy of Navy's crew during that period prompted Life magazine in 1953 to label them "The Great Eight," rowing's equivalent to Notre Dame football's "Four Horsemen." (Story)

1993 - LT Paul Ambrogi '88, USN was lost when the A-6 Intruder he was piloting crashed northwest of Roanoke, Virginia. The bombardier/navigator aboard was also killed. They were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 75, flying from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. He was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and was survived by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Announcing the Anchors Aweigh Open!! 

Friday, 24 October 2025 - Formerly the Alumni Association and Foundation Homecoming Golf Tournament … now tee off at the new “Anchors Aweigh Open.” Gather your foursome and hit the greens at the breathtaking USNA Golf Course for a tournament that's more than just golf — it's a celebration of camaraderie, competition and Navy spirit! Exciting contests and can't-miss prizes. Delicious breakfast, on-course lunch, and post-play vibes at our after-party. Bar sponsored by The Graduate Hotel (yes, those celebratory drinks are covered). An exclusive 3-day Pebble Beach golf getaway, courtesy of Sheehy-Lexus of Annapolis — auction details coming soon! You're coming back to campus for Homecoming anyway. Bring the sticks and tee it up. REGISTRATION IS OPEN.

Sisterhood of the Mother B is excited to launch our Season 4 — where we focus our podcast on the upcoming 50th anniversary of women at the military service academies. To kick things off, Jeannette and Jenn sit down with the amazing Janice Buxbaum, USNA '80. From Janice and her stories, we learn about how hard women had to fight to be admitted, how to hold a mutiny, and what happened during a certain uniform race. (We also learn a lot more — particularly about leadership, resistance to discrimination, and resilience.) And we close with a story about the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'"... please join us! (Thank you to the USNA Women's Glee Club for the opening and closing music.)

Government & Military News

Military.com

Harvard University announced Thursday that it has created new scholarships for at least 50 military veterans and public servants to earn master's degrees at its prestigious Kennedy School of Government.

 

Under the program, called the American Service Fellowship, students will receive $100,000 to cover tuition, fees and an additional stipend. The school plans to recruit for the one-year master's degree program in all 50 states, with classwork beginning in fall 2026.

 

"In this moment of political division and major challenges in America, it's never been a more important time to invest in the next generation of public servants," Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein said in a letter to the student body Thursday.

 

The program comes as the school has been under attack by the Trump administration, with a federal task force accusing the university of violating the Civil Rights Act, alleging that it has allowed antisemitic harassment on campus and recommending that the Justice Department file a civil rights lawsuit against it.

 

The school already has lost more than $2.6 billion in federal research dollars, and President Donald Trump has said the school should lose its tax-exempt status. He also has challenged its accreditation and attempted to withhold student visas for international students.

 

The fellowship coincides with the administration's efforts to slash the size of the federal workforce, laying off workers across the board and gutting entities like the Department of Education, Voice of America and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

 

Nonetheless, the fellowship is designed to encourage careers in public service, including the federal government. It will be open to people who have served at least seven years in the U.S. military, including veterans or active-duty service members, or those who have worked in federal, state or local government, including teachers and law enforcement personnel.

 

According to Harvard, at least half of the recipients will be selected from military service.

 

"There's nothing more patriotic than public service," Weinstein said in a public statement Thursday. "Whether you served in the U.S. armed forces, in any level of government, as a teacher, a law enforcement professional, or in a civilian service organization, we want you to come to [the Harvard Kennedy School]."

 

Several Ivy League schools have made a concerted effort to attract veterans to diversify their student bodies to include military voices. Former Columbia President Lee Bollinger made veteran student recruitment a pillar of his presidency; in 2023, it had 700 veterans enrolled -- more than the other Ivy League schools combined.

 

In the past decade, more than 500 active-duty, veteran and reserve members have been educated at the Kennedy School. Notable alumni across the years include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, as well as Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.; and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas.

 

The school also is encouraging public servants who meet eligibility requirements and have been laid off in the past six months to apply.

 

Applications will be open in September, and candidates will be notified next spring, according to the school. Weinstein said that even if public servants or veterans don't meet all the requirements, they should still consider applying.

 

"That's what this fellowship is all about: Helping train the current and future leaders of America, who have demonstrated throughout their lives that they are ready and willing to lead their communities and our country into the future," he said.

Local, Education & other academy news

Connecting Service Academy Graduates with Industry Leaders and Top Academic Institutions. Whether you're a Service Academy graduate ready for your next mission, a company seeking proven leaders, or a university looking to attract elite talent—SACC is your launchpad for meaningful connections and unmatched opportunities. San Diego 2025 Service Academy Career Conference - Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego  / 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101.

The 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl will take place on Saturday, December 27, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. This year's matchup will once again feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Military Bowl serves as the opening event in a packed day of football, leading off seven bowl games and an NFL tripleheader. Proceeds from the game benefit Patriot Point, a 294-acre retreat operated by the Military Bowl Foundation for wounded, ill, and injured service members, their families, and caregivers.

USNA and AA&F Events

July

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

19 Aug - Class of 2027 Commitment Lunch

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

19 Sep - USNI Dudley Knox Achievement Award Reception

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