8 September Daily Shipmate

Monday, Sep 8, 2025

Photos of the Week

 

1942 - On Guadalcanal, the 1st Raider Battalion and the 1st Parachute Battalion, supported by planes of MAG-23 and two destroyer transports, landed east of Tasimboko, advanced west into the rear of Japanese positions, and carried out a successful raid on a Japanese supply base.

 

1993 - MAJ Michael Bradley '79, USMCR was lost when the rotor of the Cobra gunship he was piloting broke in flight, causing it to crash onto the tarmac at Montgomery Airfield, San Diego, California. A Lieutenant Commander aboard, a flight surgeon, was also killed. Mike was executive officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773; he had been in the reserves since 1991. He was survived by his wife, parents, three sisters, and two brothers.

 

2002 - The Secretary of the Navy announced that the name of the next San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock will be New York in honor of the state, city, and people that suffered so much during the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks. In December 2002, scrap steel removed from “ground zero” at the former site of the World Trade Center was sent to New Orleans, Louisiana, to be included in the ship.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

When the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation celebrated the grand opening and dedication of the Fluegel Alumni Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 8, 2023, the achievement represented the culmination of efforts a decade in the making. Located minutes from historic downtown Annapolis and the USNA, the 65,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility serves as the new home for alumni—a single, dedicated space that boasts stunning views of College Creek and the Annapolis skyline.  Construction of the facility was fully funded by philanthropic gifts and made possible in large part thanks to an anchor gift from Donna and Rick Fluegel '61. More than 3,500 alumni, including 37 U.S. Naval Academy classes and more than 1,200 plankowners (original five-figure donors to the building) raised more than $36 million in contributions to build, equip, and operate the facility.

Following the 7 August death of Captain James A. Lovell Jr., a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, naval aviator, and astronaut, we look back to a 1995 interview that appeared in the December issue of Proceedings. Over the course of that conversation, Captain Lovell recounted his career as a NASA astronaut in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs—a career that placed him in a rare fraternity of explorers including Alan Sheppard, the first American in space. As the nation celebrates his life and mourns his death, we rewind 40 years to the day when Captain Lovell sat down at the Naval Institute's boardroom table in Preble Hall and spoke frankly about his challenges and conquests, downplaying both.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Friday to alter the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, reverting to the agency's former namesake, Fox News Digital has learned. Both Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have recently indicated they want to change the name of the agency. It is one of several initiatives the Trump administration has spearheaded as part of its "warrior ethos" campaign within the Pentagon. A White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital Thursday that Trump would roll out the name change Friday. The executive order calls for using the Department of War as a secondary title for the Department of Defense, along with phrases like "secretary of war" for Hegseth, according to a White House fact sheet.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS ROSS (DDG 71) held a change of command ceremony at Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, August 15, 2025. Cmdr. Pia Chapman '08 relieved Cmdr. Vincent Simmon as Ross's commanding officer in a ceremony presided over by Capt. Bryan Carmichael, commodore, Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Atlantic (CNSG-ML). Cmdr. Chapman, who served as the ship's executive officer alongside Simmon since May 2024, assumes command with intimate knowledge of the ship and crew. A native of Fayetteville, NC, Cmdr. Chapman is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. She earned a Masters in National Security Affairs from the Navy War College.

President Donald Trump has tapped Rear Adm. Heidi Berg to command U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, Navy Space Command and 10th Fleet, the Pentagon announced Friday. If her nomination is confirmed by the Senate, she'll also pin on a third star. Fleet Cyber Command is the Navy's component command to U.S. Cyber Command and is responsible for Navy information network operations and offensive and defensive cyberspace ops. Navy Space Command is charged with planning, integrating, coordinating and conducting “full-spectrum” operations for U.S. Space Command, according to the Navy. Berg, a Naval Academy graduate, is currently serving as deputy commander of those organizations.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Rear Adm. Berg is a native of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She is a 1991 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy. She studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute, and Arabic at the Kalimat Institute in Cairo, Egypt. Berg holds a Master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Oxford University, UK.

The alumni group for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point abruptly canceled an award ceremony honoring actor Tom Hanks. Hanks, 69, was set to receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award later this month for his civic contributions. The Washington Post first reported on the news, citing an internal West Point Association of Graduates email sent by Mark Bieger, the group's president and CEO. The event, set for Sept. 25, would feature a parade as well as a ceremony where Hanks would receive the award. According to Bieger's email, the group will not hold the annual ceremony this year. NPR reports that Hanks will still receive the award, but it's unclear when and how that will be presented to him.

On September 2, 2025, 32 members and guests of the West Point Society of Annapolis (WPSOA), including four members of the Class of 1977 (50-year Affiliation Class), conducted an Affirmation Dinner and Ceremony for the eight exchange cadets from the Class of 2027. The exchange cadets are at the Naval Academy for the fall semester. The ceremony took place in Annapolis. WPSOA President Steve Heinecke ('77) began the ceremony by explaining the role the WPSOA has in administering the oath to the exchange cadets over the years. Steve then introduced John Taflan '77, who addressed the exchange cadets on the significance of the Oath of Affirmation and why they should commit themselves to it for the rest of their lives. Mr. Taflan also encouraged the cadets to adhere to their class motto, “Earned Not Given,” as their careers advance.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Navy kicked off its American Athletic Conference opener against UAB on a stormy Saturday afternoon at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. What started as a muggy 3:30 p.m. kickoff quickly turned unpredictable as lightning forced two first-half delays that stretched the game into the evening. Despite the weather and a shrinking crowd, the Midshipmen found their rhythm and powered past the Blazers 38-24.

Women's Golf at Folds of Honor Collegiate - Grand Haven, Mich. - TBA

Men's Golf at Folds of Honor Collegiate - Grand Haven, Mich. - 8 a.m.

Women's Tennis at Bill & Sandra Moore Invitational - NTS

Men's Water Polo v. Wagner - W 13-12

Women's Volleyball Wake Forest vs. George Mason - Wake Forest 3, George Mason 1

Women's Volleyball v. Air Force - L 1-3

Men's Water Polo v. LIU - W 22-9

 

Women's Tennis at Bill & Sandra Moore Invitational - NTS

Women's Rugby v. Dartmouth - L 7-52

Men's Soccer v. Stonehill - L 0-1

Men's Rugby v. Queens - W 50-14

Women's Volleyball Air Force vs. Wake Forest - Air Force 3, Wake Forest 0

Football v. UAB - W 38-24

Men's Water Polo v. #16 Harvard - W 13-12

Women's Volleyball v. George Mason - L 2-3

 

Women's Soccer v. Presbyterian College - w 5-0

Women's Tennis at Bill & Sandra Moore Invitational - NTS

Women's Volleyball George Mason vs. Air Force - Air Force 3, George Mason 2

Women's Volleyball v. Wake Forest - L 0-3

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

SEPTEMBER

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

9 Sept - USNA Entrepreneurs Fall Speaker Series - Army/Navy Country Club - 5 p.m. 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 - 2025 Navy Rugby Alumni Association's 10th Annual "With You" Dinner and HOF Induction

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 - Noon

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

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