14 August Daily Shipmate

Thursday, Aug 14, 2025

1917 - Flying a seaplane, Lieutenant Edward O. McDonnell, Class of 1912, a Medal of Honor recipient for action at Veracruz, Mexico, conducted the first experiments involving launching a torpedo from an aircraft. The flight tests, carried out in the waters off Huntington, Long Island, New York, came five years after Rear Admiral Bradley Fiske, Class of 1875, patented a torpedo-carrying airplane.

 

1945 - Japan agrees to the terms of unconditional surrender.

1980 - LT William Marle '71, USN was lost when the C-1A plane he was aboard crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego while operating from USS Ranger (CV 61). All three others aboard the aircraft were also lost. After a tour aboard a fleet oiler, he earned his Naval Flight Officer wings and served as a mission commander aboard S-3A Viking aircraft. He was stationed aboard USS Ranger as anti-submarine warfare module watch officer. William was survived by his wife, two sons, parents, and brother.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Like legendary 80's band Ratt….”we're back…back for more.” Season six is here. The Brigade reformed…so we did, too. John Schofield and Chris Servello are here for another season of podcasting to keep you up to date about the happenings at the Naval Academy and the Alumni Association and Foundation. Beaming to you every week from the Fluegel Alumni Center, the Sing Second Pod delivers alumni interviews that cover perspectives from the Fleet to the C-Suite…and everywhere in between. We interview coaches, staff, Mids, Alumni, parents and staff here at AA&F in the effort to better explain two simple parts of the Alumni Association & Foundation - 1) Who we are and 2) What we do? And along the way you get to hear some amazing interviews and updates. This week: New Athletic Director Michael Kelly.  Michael has filled some big shoes in replacing Chet Gladchuk earlier this summer. But he's off and running…and leading a bold future for Navy Athletics. Michael also chats about his family connection to USNA and whether he ran the point better than legendary ACC point guard Randolph Childress. That interview…plus a discussion of this Friday's change of command for the Supe…and we remember Jim Lovell '52. THanks for listening…and BEAT ARMY ALWAYS.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

The US Navy is drowning in data, but it can't turn that intelligence into new tactics or tech updates fast enough for a 21st century war, warned the new Chief Data and AI Officer for the Department of the Navy Stuart Wagner. But, he said, a forthcoming strategy for “data and AI weaponization” aims to accelerate all that. How? In part, he said, by automating security classification procedures, and in some cases, bypassing the laborious Authority To Operate (ATO) process to get the right data to the right algorithms ASAP. “We need to spin this really fast,” Wagner told the Hampton Roads chapter of AFCEA Tuesday. “Our strategy principally … is focused on expediting and making this easier.”

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

In Podcast #1 Provost Samara Firebaugh reveals how the Naval Academy is meeting the moment in preparing our graduates to face a challenging and ever-changing operating environment.  She also shares her personal leadership habits for staying sharp, informed, and ready to lead in a fast-changing world. This conversation blends practical tips, daily routines, and timeless wisdom for leaders at every level.  She shares how reading Defense Times, MIT Technology Review, and the Early Bird — along with staying ahead of tech trends — fuels her ability to adapt and thrive in complex environments.

On Tuesday, the team revealed its 2025 "Air Power Legacy Series" threads, designed to honor the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet used in the Air Force. Each element of the uniform -- from the helmet to the pants -- is inspired by the fighter jet. The helmet is similar to that of a fighter pilot's, with the front bumper featuring a silhouette of the jet and replicating the pilot's visor cover. The word "Psycho" is also displayed as a tribute to Col. William Andrews, who used the word as call sign. He was shot down during Operation Desert Storm and was a prisoner of war before being released. Andrews died in 2015. Air Force plays Navy in Annapolis Oct 4th at noon.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

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

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

14 Aug - USNI Accelerating Unmanned Panel and Reception, Annapolis

15 Aug - 2 for 7 Signing - Class of 2027 - Mahan Hall - 0800

15 Aug - USNA Change of Command - Dahlgren Hall - 1400

17 Aug - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Annual Crab Fest - 4:00 PM EDT - Navy Recreational Center Club 9; 13855 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD 20688, USA

18 Aug - USNA Classes begin

19 Aug - Class of 2027 Commitment Lunch w/ Class of 77 attending

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.

 

2 Sep - 80th Anniversary of the Japanese surrender aboard USS Missouri

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

10 Sep - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EDT = 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: https://meet.goto.com/326914317

11 Sep - Be Somebody's Hero Golf Tournament – Norfolk VA - hosted by USNA AA Hampton Roads Chapter

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

 

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 - 1958/2008 tailgate for 50 for 50 celebration - Open invitation to A/F and USNA grads and mids to celebrate 50 Years of women - 10:00am.

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD - 12:00pm

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

 

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

 

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