28 August Daily Shipmate

Thursday, Aug 28, 2025

1804 - In the early morning hours, American ships and gunboats attacked Tripoli. During a bombardment that lasted some two hours, the gunboats fired an average of 42 rounds before retiring. After sunrise, Constitution fired nine broadsides at Tripolitan gunboats and fortifications on shore.

 

1867 - Captain William Reynolds of the screw sloop Lackawanna raised the American flag over Brooks' Islands (later renamed Midway Atoll). It was formally annexed on 28 December. “It is exceedingly gratifying to me to have been thus concerned in taking possession of the first island ever added to the dominion of the United States, beyond our own shores,” Reynolds later wrote of Midway, which was destined to play a significant role in the Navy's history.

1942 - LCDR Thomas Williamson '32, USN died of wounds sustained on August 10 in an explosion of a flare on board submarine S-31 (SS-136). It was one day before his 31st birthday. He was commanding officer of the boat, which was on a wartime patrol near Alaska. He'd served aboard S-31 since July 1940, first as navigator and then as executive officer. Thomas was survived by his wife and young son.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Lt. Gen. Mike Borgschulte '91 visited the Fluegel Alumni Center Aug 27th. The AA&F staff greeted the new Superintendent as he arrived … celebrating Borgschulte's first visit to his Alma Mater's new HQ.

The Annapolis Chapter hosted new Athletic Director Michael Kelly in the Blue & Gold Bar at the Fluegel Alumni Center Aug 17th as part of their chapter happy hour. Kelly was joined by senior Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA) staff Eric Ruden, Robb Dunn and Matt Munnelly, and he provided an update on his vision for Navy Athletics in the future. AA&F President and CEO Jeff Webb welcomed Kelly to the meeting of the Annapolis resident alumni.

Season six, episode 3. It's VMI week. The Mids are marching through Main Street. We're throwing a pre-game social for the game here at the Fluegel Alumni Center 0900-1030 Saturday. We're pumped. We also are honoring the life of John Elliott '00, who lost his life 25 years ago just after graduation to a drunk driver. The HERO campaign - which honors Elliott and raises awareness against drunk driving - will be partnering with Anne Arundel County (MD) police to wrap one of AA County's squad cars in the HERO logo. The AA&F is proud to support the Elliott family and HERO campaign at the HERO event Aug 28th at noon at O'Laughlins restaurant in Arnold. Special Sing Second correspondent Emily Lucht brings us a special interview about HERO. Lastly, our amazing Alumni interview this week is with Cedric Williams '20, Founder and CEO of Blue Magnet. Blue Magnet has partnered with AA&F to continue to support USNA alums with their career transitions. You don't want to miss Cedric's interview. Thanks for listening. Beat VMI!

Midshipman 3rd Class Julian Bolortoli is proving that with determination, purpose, and a drive to lead, enlisted Sailors can shape the future for themselves, and the Navy, by taking the officer commissioning path. The Alameda, California native was selected for admission to the U.S. Naval Academy through the Navy's highly competitive enlisted-to-officer commissioning program. He enlisted in the Navy in June 2020, seeking a greater sense of direction and purpose after graduating high school at Alameda Science and Technology Institute. Drawn to the technical challenge and high-stakes environment of submarine operations, he qualified and served as a Sonar Technician (Submarine) 2nd Class aboard the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) homeported in San Diego. Bolortoli stated that he is building on a foundation of operational experience and discipline forged beneath the waves by generations of submariners.

Cmdr. Halford “Ted” Haskell '09 relieved Cmdr. Peter Manzoli as commanding officer of Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station during a change of command ceremony Aug. 7 at the National Naval Aviation Museum on Naval Air Station Pensacola. Capt. Sarah Sherwood, Center for Information Warfare Training commanding officer, presided over the ceremony, praising Manzoli for his keen leadership while welcoming Haskell. Haskell is a native of Georgetown, Texas, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. He arrives after a tour with Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet in Bahrain.

Government & Military News

Navy Secretary John Phelan called for managing the service like a business to improve readiness and innovate faster during a visit to Naval Base San Diego. “Warfare is a business, and we need to understand that,” he told the personnel gathered Tuesday on the flight deck of the USS Somerset, an amphibious transport dock. “My North Star is readiness,” he said. To do that I'm focused on three priorities: strengthening shipbuilding and the maritime industrial base; fostering an adaptive, accountable and innovative warfighting culture; and insuring the health, welfare and training of our people.”

September 2 marks the formal end of WWII, a moment when hope for lasting peace reemerged. The most devastating war in history ended with the stroke of a pen and words of reconciliation. As General Douglas MacArthur proclaimed, “...from this solemn occasion, a better world shall emerge... founded upon faith and understanding, dedicated to dignity, freedom, tolerance, and justice.” Every year, this anniversary reminds us of war's cost and the courage to believe in humanity, even in the darkest times. We must remember, learn, and inspire future generations with the lessons of war and peace. Join us August 30 – September 2, 2025, for a special series of events commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII. Presented by the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation and in partnership with the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, this tribute honors the legacy of the Greatest Generation and all who served. **Steve Colon '81 is the Chairman of the USS Missouri Memorial Foundation.

Local, Education & other academy news

Free Amazon e-book 27-29 August - USS Experiment: Memoir

A 1959 US Naval Academy graduate spends 3 years in the tropics aboard the First Last and Only ship in a discontinued experimental construction program. Key West during the early 1960s was a remote tourist destination populated mostly by personnel assigned to destroyers and submarines. The largest ship in the Destroyer Force tested a new weapon system in waters so shallow that divers had to lie on their backs to inspect the bottom of the ship after 2 groundings. A young officer is assigned duties above his pay-grade. Interactions with senior officers were grist for a Broadway production. The book's author is Charles Frankhauser '59.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is making it easier for veterans and military families to access the help they need with the opening of a new veterans service center inside the Annapolis MVA branch. Officials cut the ribbon on the new facility, which marks the eighth office to open since 2019 as part of a statewide push to give military families one-stop access to benefits, claims help, and transition services like TSA PreCheck and EZPass. Last year alone, these programs helped secure more than $54 million in federal benefits for Maryland veterans and their families.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 4 of the Anchors Aweigh podcast. In the opening segment, Mike James of The Mid Report looks ahead to make his debut as a color commentator on the Navy Football Radio Network during Saturday's season opener against VMI. We put the spotlight on Navy men's soccer by interviewing head coach Tim O'Donohue and team captain Robert Eaton.

On behalf of the Navy Letterwinners Association, we hope you enjoy the latest edition of our monthly newsletter. In this issue, you will find feature articles about Navy rowing alumna Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson '21, football's dynamic duo Eli Heidenreich '26 and Alex Tecza '26, and boxing coach Blake Baldi. On the Yard, Navy women's soccer was able to provide the first win for Michael Kelly in his new tenure as Director of Athletics. It will be a busy month for athletics and many more victories to celebrate!

Women's Soccer at Maryland - College Park, Md. - 7 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

AUGUST

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

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

8 Sept - 2 year anniversary of the Fluegel Alumni Center ribbon-cutting.

9 Sept - USNA Entrepreneurs Fall Speaker Series - Army/Navy Country Club - 5pm EST

10 Sep - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5-6 p.m. @ 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 - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Happy Hour - 4-6 p.m. @ Tap House, 1637

423418 Three Notch Rd California, MD 20619

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

3 Oct - Rugby banquet

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 a.m.

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD - 12 p.m.

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 - 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

30 Oct - Austin Chapter roadshow - 5:30 p.m. - Fast Friends Beer Co, Austin

31 Oct - North Texas Chapter + NAPC of North Texas Roadshow - 4:30 p.m. - Bitter Sisters Brewing Co, Addison

 

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