11 August Daily Shipmate

Monday, Aug 11, 2025

Picture of the week. Naval Academy parents Matt and Kim Miller hosted members of the Navy Men's Cross Country team at his ranch in California last week. Matt and Kim are the parents of former Navy Volleyball captain Averi Miller '24.

1870 - The gunboat Palos (Gunboat No. 16) became the first U.S. Navy vessel to transit the Suez Canal. (11–13 August)

 

1958 - As part of an exploratory voyage to the Arctic region of the globe, the nuclear-powered Skate (SNN-578) became the first submarine to surface at the North Pole when its sail broke through the ice.

 

1965 - An A-4E Skyhawk of Attack Squadron (VA) 23 from the aircraft carrier Midway (CVA-41) was shot down over North Vietnam, the first confirmed loss of a Navy aircraft to a surface-to-air missile.

 

1965 - CAPT Robert Carter '42, USN was lost at sea when he fell overboard from his flagship, USS Newman K. Perry (DD 883), while the ship was transiting the Atlantic Ocean for deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. He had taken command of Destroyer Squadron 20 only nine days earlier. During the war, he was wounded when USS Quincy (CA 39) was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island. After the war he had command of USS Gunason (DE 795), USS Spangler (DE 696), and USS McGowan (DD 678); his previous tour was as commanding officer of Naval Destroyer School at Newport, Rhode Island. Robert was survived by his wife and three daughters.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

James Lovell '52, the commander of Apollo 13 who helped turn a failed moon mission into a triumph of on-the-fly can-do engineering, has died. He was 97. Lovell died Thursday in Lake Forest, Illinois, NASA said in a statement on Friday. “Jim's character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the Moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount,” NASA said. “We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements.” James A. Lovell was born March 25, 1928, in Cleveland. He attended the University of Wisconsin before transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland. On the day he graduated in 1952, he and his wife, Marilyn, were married. Marilyn died in 2023 and is buried at the Naval Academy. Jim Lovell was honored as a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval Academy in 2001.

Capital Gazette

Standing at perfect attention outside of Bancroft Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy, the Class of 2029 was just moments away from reuniting with their families for the first time in six long weeks.

 

“1st Battalion all present or accounted for,” one summer detailer shouted, commencing a chain of similar declarations from the remaining five battalions and a series of coordinated motions.

 

Thousands of family members craned and crouched to catch a glimpse of their plebe as rows of neat, white lines started to march down the red bricks of Stribling Walk for noon meal formation — a tradition that began in 1905 and sees the entire brigade assembled and marched into lunch.

 

Plebe Ryan DuPlessis, from Houston, Texas, hugs his mother Janiene DuPlessis. The Naval Academy Class of 2029 gets its first chance to see family and friends after six weeks of Plebe Summer which began on Induction Day with the arrival of Parents Weekend. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)

 

When the march ended, a company commander shouted, “Fall out.” The plebes shed their military demeanors and ran to their families. The neat formations of plebes in white dress uniforms were blurred by the waves of hugs, handshakes and teary eyes accompanying the reunions.

 

“It feels great, I've gotten through some of it, but Plebe Summer never ends,” Hunter Mann, a California, Maryland, resident, said of the challenges that await. “But it's great to see my family and interact with them.”

 

After a rigorous six-week program that prepares first-year students, otherwise known as plebes, for their careers at the academy, the students were reunited with their families Friday for the first time since arriving at the Naval Academy on June 26 for Induction Day.

 

Mann, a member of 3rd Company, was met with hugs from five family members — each of whom agreed that he looked taller, slimmer and stronger since they last saw him in June.

 

Thousands of family members and friends will visit the academy this weekend. Parents can learn about their child's new life at the Naval Academy through tours, eating at the dining facility King Hall, meeting with faculty and watching a dress parade on Worden Field on Saturday.

 

Throughout the summer, the roughly 1,200 men and women of the Naval Academy's Class of 2029 learned basic seamanship skills, navigation, damage control and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles, among other things.

 

During Plebe Summer, midshipmen have no access to the internet and restricted access to cellphones. Aside from letters and two phone calls they were permitted for the entire summer, they had no contact with their families.

 

“It was a buzz of excitement, we were excited to talk to him,” Hunter Mann's father, Herbie Mann, said of the phone calls. “More importantly, we were happy to hear from him. He was just sharing all these stories of loving his shipmates.”

 

Nicholas Curisinche, of Bristow, Virginia, said his biggest takeaway was learning what he was capable of. The intensity of Plebe Summer taught him to manage his emotions and cope with stress, he said.

 

“You always want max effort, max intensity, always giving your all no matter what — every time, no matter what,” Curisinche said. “It's a bit repetitive, but that's what they tell us.”

 

His mother was just glad to see he was doing okay.

 

“Emotional,” Tania Curisinche said when asked about her son's calls home. “It was a relief to hear that he was doing okay and to know that he was doing well and getting better every day.”

 

Plebes were given until 9 p.m. Friday to spend time with family and leave campus. Nicholas had one request when asked what he'd like to do in celebration of Plebe Summer's conclusion: “Take a nap.”

Less than 50 days ago we proudly welcomed the Class of 2029 to the United States Naval Academy. It was the first step in their journey as Midshipmen and the beginning of a commitment to service, leadership and camaraderie in the U.S. military. This past weekend, during Plebe Parent Weekend, families witnessed just how much their sons and daughters had grown since I-Day on 26 June. In three months they have faced academic, physical and moral challenges. They have endured the heat and humidity of an Annapolis summer, building resilience, discipline and the foundation to serve as future officers in the Navy and Marine Corps. Check out our latest video, we followed the journey of two of our Athletic and Scholarship Program students and their fellow Plebes. From the first salute to marching in formation, see how the Class of 2029 begin their remarkable life on the banks of the Severn and how they have grown in just a few weeks.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

To San Diego veterans, Cruisers were 'the pinnacle of naval power.' Falling in love can happen in a snap. Dave Hatzenbuehler knows this from the way he responded nearly a half-century ago upon noticing a big, brooding presence in San Diego Bay. He'd caught sight of a Navy cruiser, a famously dynamic type of ship that had been turning heads since the 1880s. This one was the USS Long Beach, a muscular brute measuring 721 feet from stem to stern. It also was the world's first nuclear-powered missile cruiser. “It was so powerful and sleek and beautiful,” recalled Hatzenbuehler, who was vacationing in San Diego at the time. “I joined the Navy as soon as I went home to Dallas. I wanted to be on a ship like that.” This wasn't a singular response, or a random one. As the Navy nears its 250th anniversary in October, there's a lot of reminiscing going on about the fleet. Much of it involves cruisers — renowned for shielding aircraft carriers, attacking distant enemies, flushing submarines from the deep, and roaming the seas as lone wolfs.

U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the outgoing commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), relinquished command today to U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper '89 during a change of command ceremony held at the Tampa Convention Center. Prior to assuming command, Adm. Cooper served as deputy commander of CENTCOM. Multiple Department of Defense officials attended the event as well as distinguished defense leaders from partner nations around the world. Adm. Cooper is a 1989 graduate of the U.S Naval Academy and holds a master's degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University. As the commander of CENTCOM, Adm. Cooper will have oversight of all U.S. military missions throughout the 21-country area of responsibility which includes the Middle East and Central Asia.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) held its change of command ceremony at Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota, Spain, August 07, 2025. Cmdr. Michael Schelcher '08 relieved Cmdr. Arturo Trejo as Bulkeley's commanding officer in a ceremony presided over by Capt. Alex Mamikonian, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 60, and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 65.Cmdr. Schelcher, a native of Monterey, California, is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned his commission and a Bachelor's of Science degree in History with a minor in Spanish.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Meet Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander, U.S. Central Command

Brad Cooper is the son of a career Army Officer. He is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and earned a master's degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. He studied international relations at Harvard and Tufts Universities. Cooper is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. A career Surface Warfare Officer, he has deployed on ships to every combatant command theater of operation and served a tour on the ground in Afghanistan.

Cmdr. Michael Schelcher, a native of Monterey, California, is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned his commission and a bachelor's in science degree of History with a minor in Spanish. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2012 with a Master of National Security Affairs: Security Studies of East Asia, and also completed the Naval War College Joint Professional Military Education Phase I curriculum.

The Navy Football Brotherhood Annual Memorial Golf Classic honors our fallen brothers that have passed while service on active, reserve, or midshipmen status. This event unites former players, supporters, and friends for a day of golf, camaraderie, and remembrance, celebrating the enduring bonds and shared legacy within the Navy football community. Join the brotherhood August 29th at Lake Presidential Golf Course in Maryland. Contact Frank Schenk '91 (nfb@navyfootballbrotherhood.org, 443-714-2991) if you'd like to participate or sponsor the event or a hole.

Alumni Book Announcement - The Faithful Servant: The Mysterious & Extraordinary Life of Officer Frank C. Smith- By Bob Ravener '81

In the sinister shadow of a nation navigating seismic transformation during the early 20th century, the United States of America stood at a crossroads, its identity forged in the fires of chaos and change. Amid this turbulent era, the New York City Police Department, stalwart defenders of the metropolis, found itself ensnared in a labyrinth of corruption that threatened to unravel its very foundation. At the heart of this treacherous entanglement stood Police Officer Frank C. Smith, a decorated veteran of the Great War, whose steadfast loyalty to his badge and his country would be tested in ways he never could have foreseen. Prepare to be captivated by a tale where every decision hangs by a thread and the line between hero and villain blurs in the face of unimaginable challenges. With the fate of his soul and the integrity of his nation in the balance, Frank C. Smith's story will leave you breathless, poised at the edge of revelation, until the very last page.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Former Navy football great Keenan Reynolds and longtime Navy football beat writer Mike James will join the Navy Football Radio Network this fall as analysts. James will be the lead analyst on all 12 games, while Reynolds will join James in the booth for every Navy home game, as well as the annual Army-Navy Game presented by USAA. Reynolds will also contribute to the pregame show for all home and away games. "I am super excited and looking forward to having the opportunity to go a layer deeper on Navy Football on the Navy broadcast," said Reynolds. "Pete Medhurst was the greatest Navy broadcaster of all-time and set the standard for how to do this job at a high level and I hope our group can make him proud by meeting that standard.  It will be exciting to be back in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this fall."

This Week's Matchups

 

Men's Soccer at Delaware (Exhibition) - Newark, Del. - 7 p.m.

 

 

Women's Soccer at Robert Morris - Moon Township, PA - 4 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

AUGUST

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