25 September Daily Shipmate

Thursday, Sep 25, 2025

1899 - The armed patrol boat Urdaneta, under Naval Cadet Welborn C. Wood of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1899, is ambushed while patrolling the Pampanga River in Luzon. Wood and four of his crew are killed while four other crewmembers are captured in the firefight with Filipino insurgents. Urdaneta is the only naval vessel lost to enemy action during the Philippine Insurrection.

1925 - LTjg James Haselden, Jr. '20, USN, LTjg Harlow Pino '21, USN, LTjg Frederic Foster '22, USN, and ENS Edmund Egbert '23, USN were among the thirty-three officers and men lost when USS S-51 (SS 162) was sunk immediately following a collision with the merchant ship SS City of Rome while operating on the surface south of Newport, Rhode Island. James was survived by his father; Harlow's survivors are unknown; Frederic was survived by his wife; Edmund was survived by his wife and son.

 

1950 - After striking mines in Korean waters, the destroyers Brush (DD-745) and Mansfield (DD-728) suffer extensive damage and the minesweeper Magpie (AMS-25) is sunk. At this juncture in the Korean War, intelligence estimates that some 3,500 enemy mines are in the waters around the peninsula, posing a serious problem for U.S. Navy operations.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Lifetime of Service – The U.S. Naval Academy 2025 Class of Distinguished Graduates are models of selfless service, mentorship and moral leadership. In this issue, ADM Jonathan W. Greenert '75, USN (Ret.), VADM Anthony L. Winn '78, USN (Ret.), CAPT Sunita L. Williams '87, USN (Ret.) and JoAnna Sohovich '93 share how the values ingrained at the Naval Academy formed the foundation of their leadership style.

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PMML) is proud to recognize CAPT Chris Cassidy '93, USN (Ret.), as a 2025 Founder's Award recipient. A former NASA astronaut, Navy SEAL, and Naval Academy graduate, Cassidy has exemplified service, leadership and a lifelong commitment to preserving the stories and spirit of the Citizen Soldier. He will be honored alongside COL Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum Jr., USMC (Ret.), and Major General Brian Winski, USA (Ret.), at the inaugural Liberty Bash on November 8th. The Founder's Award celebrates extraordinary contributions to PMML's mission and the preservation of military heritage.

Government & Military News

The U.S. military academies are reportedly looking at accepting scores from the Classic Learning Test (CLT), an alternative to the SAT and ACT that has been propped up in conservative circles, starting with the 2027 admissions cycle. Politico reported last week that the Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Air Force Academy will be adding the CLT as an option for admission applicants starting Oct. 1, accomplishing a goal Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth laid out earlier this year.

A partial government shutdown on 1 October could halt military pay and disrupt key services if Congress fails to pass a funding extension. Troops would continue duty without pay, while retirees remain unaffected. Civilian defense staff face furloughs, and some medical care, child care, and recreation services could pause. Commissaries may operate for 60 days, with overseas and remote sites prioritized. A bipartisan bill aims to protect pay for troops, civilians, and contractors through 2027.

The cities of Philadelphia and Camden will host the Navy Marine Corps 250 celebration October 9-16, 2025, with four U.S. Navy ships, two Coast Guard cutters, and four U.S. Navy Academy Yard Patrol boats (YPs) and sailboats. These vessels will participate in the Parade of Ships on Thursday, Oct 9.

Local, Education & other academy news

Navigating the Journey is a four-part, annual webinar series that meets parents where they are with one tailored session for each class year, every year in the fall. Designed to align with the distinct milestones of the Naval Academy experience, each webinar provides timely, relevant information and resources to help parents better understand and support their midshipman's journey. Beyond practical insights, the series fosters a sense of community among parents, encouraging shared connection and engagement. Today you can join us for Transformation Underway: Sea Trials, Herndon and PROTRAMID. Plebe year builds the foundation for the entire Naval Academy journey. This session will give you an insider's view of major milestones like Sea Trials and the Herndon Climb, while previewing PROTRAMID—your midshipman's first exposure to the Fleet and warfare communities. Learn how philanthropy helps support the rigorous training, academic goals, and leadership development that define this pivotal year.

 

Date: Thursday, 25 September

Time: 12–1 p.m. ET

Location: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

For questions, please reach out to Karen Hicks, Associate Director of Parent Giving, at [email protected]

Bring on the Midshipmen and the Cadets. That's the message from the Charlotte Sports Foundation, whose CEO told an uptown audience today that landing the Army-Navy football game is “certainly something that's at the top of our list to continue to explore.” The 2027 game is the last one in the current contract, meaning the schools are likely to seek bids next year for another multiyear series of neutral sites. Army-Navy has been or will be played in NFL stadiums near Boston; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; New York; and Philadelphia since 2023 and ending in 2027. Spokespersons for the Army and Navy athletic departments did not provide immediate comment on the selection process or Charlotte's chances.

The longest serving law professor in the history of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, filed a federal lawsuit against the academy and several of its senior administrators on Monday, accusing them of violating his free speech rights. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York by West Point professor Tim Bakken claims that a February 13, 2025 rule issued by the academy's academic dean requiring faculty to obtain prior approval before delivering outside speeches or publishing papers in their official capacity is a violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Catch an unforgettable weekend in Philadelphia this October while celebrating the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday! Kick off the action on Friday, 10 October at Subaru Park with the Army-Navy Cup men's and women's soccer double-header. Then catch the excitement of an American Conference showdown when Navy football takes on Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, 11 October. Be part of the celebration and don't miss an action-packed sports weekend in the city where it all began. 

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Today's Matchups

Women's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 10 a.m.

Men's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 10 a.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

SEPTEMBER

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

30 Sep - USNI Panel Discussion: Beyond Shipyards to Unmanned Systems in the Future Fleet

 

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

8 Oct - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Business Mtg. - 4:30 p.m. EDT Brudergarten

22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Online event: BOD https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

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

15 Oct - USNI Conference: Dominance Through Disruption: The Evolving Military Advantage - 8:00am

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.

12 Nov - GSMC Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST - 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: Meet - toh-nvgs-yvn

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