29 September Daily Shipmate

Monday, Sep 29, 2025

1946 - A P2V-1 Neptune nicknamed the Truculent Turtle, flown by CDR Thomas D. Davies '37, USN and a crew of three completed a record setting, long distance flight of 11,235.6 miles from Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio, in a time of 55 hours and 17 minutes. P2V Neptunes served in Navy patrol squadrons into the 1960s, and also operated from aircraft carriers as interim nuclear strike aircraft.

 

1982 - The 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit, consisting of 1,200 Marines, returned to Beirut from Sixth Fleet amphibious ships to serve again as part of a multinational peacekeeping force.

 

2000 - LT Bruce Donald '95, USN was lost when the F/A-18 Hornet he was piloting crashed shortly after taking off from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), operating in the Arabian Gulf. He was a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25; the ship had been on station for less than a week. A native of Poughkeepsie, New York, he was president of his high school class and known for a rusty old “jalopy” of a BMW that he drove. Bruce was survived by his parents.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The Class of 2020 experienced a graduation like no other, missing the traditional commissioning at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the chance for their 50-year Another Link in the Chain (ALINC) alumni to officially welcome them to the Fleet and the Corps, or hand them their bars. But last Friday, the Class of 1970 made sure to make up for it. They kicked off a special 5-year reunion at the Fluegel Alumni Center's Blue and Gold Bar, ensuring the Class of 2020 felt welcomed, celebrated, and at home in Annapolis. The 2020 alumni filled the space, both inside and out. Special thanks to George's Beverage Company and Bayside Catering for helping make the event unforgettable.

Government & Military News

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights a growing concern within the military: the lack of adequate support for service members dealing with gambling issues. While the problem is becoming more widespread, the Department of Defense (DoD) has not implemented sufficient, consistent resources to help those affected. The GAO is urging the DoD to take action, but questions remain on how the military will address this overlooked challenge moving forward.

The U.S. Navy is considering a 10-year, multiple-award contract potentially worth up to $3.5 billion for 2,800 service craft and boats, aiming to streamline the procurement process, according to new documents. This includes up to 15 types of vessels, such as workboats, force protection boats, barges, floating barracks, Naval Special Warfare surface support craft, and target drones, to be delivered between fiscal years 2026 and 2036.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently confirmed that soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor for their involvement in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre will keep their medals. This decision reverses a previous review initiated by former Secretary Lloyd Austin, which had examined whether the medals should be rescinded due to the event's controversial nature. While the matter appears settled, questions remain about the full details behind Hegseth's decision and whether the review report will ever be released.

Local, Education & other academy news

Register today for the Army-Navy Cup. The match-up features both Men's AND Women's soccer teams in a thrilling doubleheader at Subaru Park.

 

Women's Match: 4 p.m.

Men's Match: 7 p.m.

Deadline to purchase your ticket & tailgate package is 3 p.m. ET on Friday, 3 October. Your ticket includes access to our spirited pre-game tailgate inside the park—complete with food, drinks, some swag, and D&B fanfare to get you game-day ready.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Senior quarterback Blake Horvath rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, while senior fullback Alex Tecza ran for 105 yards on just 11 carries to lead Navy (4-0, 3-0 in the American) to a 21-13 victory over Rice (3-2, 1-1) in front of 28,873 fans at a rainy Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Navy is off to a 4-0 start in back-to-back years for the first time since 1978-79. "First of all, thanks to the fans and the Brigade. It wasn't the best weather day, but they showed up and were loud," said Navy head coach Brian Newberry.  "Hats off to Rice and Scott Abell.  He is a really good coach.  He has had success wherever he has been and will have success at Rice, there is no question of that.  They are a well-coached ball club and kept fighting to their credit."

Weekend Results

Men's Cross Country at Gans Creek Classic - 28th of 31 teams

Women's Cross Country at Gans Creek Classic - 5th of 26 teams

Women's Soccer at Colgate - L 1-2
Sprint Football at St. Thomas Aquinas - W 28-7

Women's Volleyball at American - L 0-3

 

Rifle v. TCU - L 4715-4727

Men's Rifle v. VMI - W 4715-4597

Women's Rifle v. VMI - W 4715-4493

Men's Water Polo v. Mercyhurst - W 21-8

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

Men's Rugby v. Mount St. Mary's (Md.) - W 59-19

Women's Rugby at Princeton - W 78-5

Football v. Rice - W 21-13

Women's Volleyball at Loyola, Maryland - L 2-3

Men's Water Polo v. Mount St. Mary's - W 22-12

 

Women's Triathlon at Robious Landing Collegiate Cup - 2nd Place

Men's Water Polo v. Bucknell - W 18-14

USNA and AA&F Events

SEPTEMBER

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 a.m.

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 - 5-6 p.m. 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