8 Aug Daily Shipmate

Friday, Aug 8, 2025

1861 - A Union squadron consisting of six warships and two transports under the command of Flag Officer Silas H. Stringham successfully lands soldiers and Marines above Forts Hatteras and Clark in North Carolina. This event marks the first joint amphibious operation of the war and, with the surrender of the forts the following day, seals off Pamlico Sound from commerce raiding and blockade running.

 

1989 - LCDR Stephen Garcia '77, USN was lost when the A-6 Intruder he was piloting crashed near Whidbey Island, Washington. He grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. His first tour was as a helicopter pilot; he was pilot-in-command for two different at-sea rescues in the Indian Ocean. After transitioning to jets, he made four deployments, accumulating over 350 arrested landings. Stephen was survived by his wife, daughter, son, parents, two brothers, and sister.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Lt. Samantha Stearns '21, a native of Arnold, Maryland, is serving as a Maryland Navy pilot assigned to Patrol Squadron 26, where she flies the P-8A Poseidon aircraft on maritime patrol missions. Stearns, who graduated from Severn School in 2016 and earned a bachelor's degree in quantitative economics from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2021, joined the Navy four years ago and now contributes to global ocean monitoring efforts. The Maryland Navy pilot credits her hometown for instilling values that align with naval service. “My hometown taught me to seek out new opportunities to step outside my comfort zone because that is where the most impactful growth happens,” Stearns said.

From Navy SEAL to CEO: Chris Cassidy's mission to honor America's heroes. 

When Chris Cassidy was tapped to lead the creation of the National Medal of Honor Museum in 2021, he had no experience in funding-raising or overseeing building of a nearly $300 million project. But knew plenty about courage, sacrifice and service to the country, the values which National Medal of Honor recipients all share. His own experience, through nearly 30 years of service, first as a U.S. Navy SEAL, and later as NASA astronaut, were the right stuff her brought to the job. Having achieved the rank of Captain in the Navy and the as as Chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA, Cassidy had the leadership experience and organizational skills to preside over the museum development as President and CEO. “I didn't have a grasp on how to be a CEO but I did know the importance of assembling a team with the expertise to make this happen,” he said.

Get ready for the upcoming season with some of the most memorable Midshipmen accomplishments of the past year. This is Navy Athletics 2025-26. Watch this great video and get pumped for the 2025-2026 sports season.

In this Navy Athletics video, Navy junior offensive guard Hoke Smith II '27 talks with Tim Nolan about the progress of the Mids' O-Line during camp and more. For you Athletic & Scholarship Program (A&SP) Trustees out there, Hoke is the son of A&SP Trustee Helen Bloom Smith.

Government & Military News

In commemoration of Purple Heart Day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Sean Parnell, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs and senior advisor, recorded a video message yesterday at the Pentagon. The nation will never forget the heroism of those awarded the Purple Heart, Hegseth said. "We strive to possess their courage." The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who were wounded or killed by an instrument of war in the hands of an enemy or while prisoners of war. More than 1.8 million service members have received this award. "We are grateful for their selfless service," Hegseth said. Parnell, a combat veteran, received a Purple Heart and two Bronze Star Medals while serving in Afghanistan.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) was named the best all-around ship in the Atlantic Fleet based on accumulation of achievements, and the ship that showed the most dramatic improvement in battle effectiveness, earning it the Battenberg Cup and the Arleigh Burke trophy, respectively. Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presented the 2024 Battenberg Cup and Arleigh Burke trophy awards to the crew of Laboon during a ceremony held aboard the ship. Since 1977, the Battenberg Cup award is presented annually to a ship or submarine selected by the fleet commander as the best all-around in the Atlantic Fleet, based on crew achievements. Laboon was selected as this year's Battenberg Cup Award Winner after exhibiting superior battle efficiency during the 2024 calendar year.

Local, Education & other academy news

Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point is one of 17 military treatment facilities slated to be downsized under a proposed plan from the federal Defense Health Agency, according to U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan. The agency wants to downsize to save money amid decreased demand for services, Silverman said. Talks of downsizing military hospitals, including Keller, are not new. Military Times, an independent online news organization, reported in April that the Defense Health Agency was examining health facilities across its system and considering downgrading some hospitals to clinics. The agency has also been concerned about staff shortages, according to the Military Times' reporting.

When the straight lines of newly accepted Air Force Academy cadets broke into a whirlwind of hugs as families flooded Stillman Field Wednesday, Eileen Um celebrated with her sister, a newly minted Naval Academy graduate. The California native is following both her older sisters into the military, but not into the Navy, so she is expecting some friendly family rivalry at Air Force versus Navy football games. Their mom, Soyoung Um, was surprised when her oldest, Lois Um, decided to pursue a career as an officer, but believes all three of her children were prepared for military life through their upbringing in the Southern Baptist Church. Soyoung and her husband Sang Um moved their family 10 times as their children grew up.

USNA and AA&F Events

AUGUST

8-10 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend

9 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend Formal Parade - 8:30 a.m.

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

14 Aug - USNI Accelerating Unmanned Panel and Reception, Annapolis

15 Aug - 2 for 7 Signing - Class of 2027

18 Aug - USNA Classes begin

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 In-brief, race and Sail Navy Banquet

24 Aug - Annapolis 10 Miler - Run to Honor is a charity partner

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 - Alumni Association & Foundation Pre-game Social for VMI - (9-11 a.m.)

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 - 12 p.m.

 

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 - Alumni Association & Foundation Pre-game Social for UAB - (Noon-2 p.m.)

6 Sep - Navy Football vs University of Alabama Birmingham, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

11 Sep - OKC Chapter + NAPC of Oklahoma Roadshow - 5:30- 7:30 p.m. - Jones Assembly - 901 W Sheridan Ave, OKC

12 Sep - Tulsa Chapter Event & Roadshow - 6 p.m. - Marshall's Brewery - 1742 E 6th Street, Tulsa

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

14 Sep - Annapolis Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

18 Sep - 20th Anniversary of the opening of the Uriah P. Levy Center at USNA

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

18-21 Sep - Class of 1985 - 40th Reunion

19 Sep - USNI Dudley Knox Achievement Award Reception

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

26 Sep - Class of 2020 Happy Hour - Fluegel Alumni Center

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 - 180th Birthday of the Naval Academy

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

24 Oct - Anchors Aweigh Open - Alumni Golf Tournament - Naval Academy Golf Course

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 Oct - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

26 Oct - USMC Marathon w/ Run to Honor SIG participating and presenting the Penguin Award to final finisher

 

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) - 6:30 p.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 Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

13 Dec - Army - Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD