Today in Navy, Marine Corps
and USNA Memorial Hall History
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1950 - 2LT Hugh Adair, Jr. '48, USMC was killed in action while leading his rifle platoon on an assault of North Korean positions south of Uijongbu, Korea. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his “aggressive leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and heroic devotion to duty.” Hugh was the son of an Army officer; he was born in Washington, and lived in Wyoming, Detroit, Honolulu, Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. He was survived by his parents. 1799 - The Washington Navy Yard, the U.S. Navy's oldest shore establishment, was founded. It has served as a center for shipbuilding, an ordnance plant, and is now an administrative and ceremonial hub. 1920 - Medal of Honor recipient LCDR William M. Corry Jr., USN, a 1910 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy died from burns sustained four days earlier while attempting to rescue a fellow officer from a crashed aircraft. He was the passenger in a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" aircraft that crashed near Hartford, Connecticut. Corry was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous and selfless act. He is the namesake of Corry Field, a former U.S. Naval auxiliary air station near Pensacola, Florida.
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Academy & Graduate happenings
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Anchors Aweigh Podcast: Has the Air Force copied the Navy Wing-T offense?
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Mike James '99, publisher of The Mid Report and color commentator for the Navy Football Radio Network, joins to preview Saturday's showdown with Air Force. Mike says the revamped Air Force offense features many of the same elements employed in the Navy hybrid Wing-T attack. We put the spotlight on Navy men's rugby through interviews with head coach Gavin Hickie and senior standout Roanin Krieger '26. Our Alumni Spotlight segment highlights former Navy men's basketball player Grant Vermeer '17.
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Gulf to Goat riders began their journey from Apalachicola, FL to “Bill the Goat” at USNA
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Having already raised more than $90,000 in support of five charities, the USNA Class of 1975 is embarking on a 22-day, 1,213-mile bike ride from Apalachicola, crossing six states before reaching the iconic Bill the Goat statue at the Academy gates—just in time to celebrate their 50th class reunion.
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Honoring our corporate partners at Navy vs. Rice
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This past Saturday, the Naval Academy proudly recognized its outstanding partners during Corporate & Foundation Donor Recognition Day at the Navy vs. Rice football game.
Senior executives from Boeing, BlackSea Technologies, CACI International, Fiduciary Trust, the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, Huntington Ingalls, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman joined USNA Alumni Association & Foundation President & CEO Jeff Webb '95 on the field for the celebration.
These partners provide vital support to the Academy and the Brigade of Midshipmen, advancing initiatives in project-based learning, leadership development, international programs, and more. Their generosity helps deliver the Margin of Excellence that defines a Naval Academy education.
On behalf of the U.S. Naval Academy, the Brigade of Midshipmen, and the Alumni Association & Foundation, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our corporate and foundation partners for their unwavering support.
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He showed us that 'true greatness lies in service to others' | USPS dedicates stamp honoring former President Jimmy Carter
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Former President Jimmy Carter '47 is being honored with a new Forever stamp celebrating a life defined by service to others. From leading the nation to building homes with Habitat for Humanity he showed that greatness is found in humility and compassion. Carter's devotion to community left an enduring mark on millions. Want to see why his legacy still resonates and how this special stamp captures his spirit?
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“Old Salt” designation passes to Admiral Jim Kilby
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The Surface Navy Association (SNA) ”Old Salt” designation, honoring the active duty U. S. Navy Officer with the earliest date of qualification as a Surface Warfare Officer, has passed to Admiral James Kilby '86 who is currently assigned as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Kilby relieved Admiral Christopher Grady and is now the 22nd individual to receive this honor. The presentation took place during ADM Grady's Farewell Tribute and retirement ceremony as the 12th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Initiated in 1988, the “Old Salt” award is accompanied by a bronze statue depicting a naval officer on the pitching deck of a ship. The statue is cast from metal salvaged from historic U.S. naval ships, most notably the battleship USS Maine, which exploded and sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, precipitating the Spanish-American War.
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Government & Military News
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Here's how a government shutdown affects VA services
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In the event of a government shutdown, veterans' health care won't be affected, the Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed in an announcement Tuesday. VA officials outlined the impacts Tuesday to veterans and department operations if a shutdown were to occur. The department estimates that 97% of its employees would continue to work during a shutdown. VA medical centers, outpatient clinics and vet centers would be open. VA benefits would continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education and housing benefits. But VA benefits regional offices would be closed. Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services and caregiver support would continue, the agency said.
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Senate confirms Hung Cao as Navy under secretary
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The Senate confirmed former Virginia Senate candidate and retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao '96 as Navy under secretary today, by a 52-45 vote. President Trump nominated the U.S. Naval Academy graduate in February, calling him the “embodiment of the American dream,” in a Truth Social post. Yet, Navy Secretary John Phelan may attempt to limit Cao in his new role in order to centralize his own authority, Politico reported in July. Two top aides who would have helped Cao once confirmed were reassigned, and Phelan and his chief of staff, Jon Harrison, plan to interview all potential military assistants for Cao themselves, according to the publication.
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Local, Education & other academy news
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Is your profile shipshape?
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Life doesn't stand still—marriages, moves, promotions, retirements, and everything in between. Don't lose touch with your classmates and the alumni network that's with you every step of the way. Log in to USNA.com and update your contact information today.
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What happens at Naval Academy in a shutdown? Half the faculty disappears
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By James Matheson
September 30, 2025
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(password protected, full story below)
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Under the looming threat of a federal government shutdown this week, we asked: How would that affect midshipmen and general operations at the U.S. Naval Academy?
A shutdown would force active-duty service members to continue to serve without pay until Congress is able to strike a deal. Upon said deal, military personnel would be back-paid, according to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
That includes military personnel serving as faculty or in support roles across the Naval Academy yard. However, civilian staff members — who make up about 50% of the academy's faculty — would not be permitted to work.
Naval Academy media relations declined to comment on the academy's preparation or policies related to government shutdowns and how they make up for the absence of civilian faculty.
“While the impact caused by the absence of more than half of the personnel who support our academic program is significant and will require interruption to much of our academic program, this guidance is intended to keep the most basic elements of our USNA mission functioning on a temporary basis,” reads a page on the academy website dedicated to government shutdown guidelines.
In March, then-Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, reported that the Naval Academy has the highest civilian faculty percentage of fellow military schools represented at the hearing — the Air Force Academy and West Point — at 50%.
“We have a proven formula that works,” Davids said in March. “That includes these incredible civilian faculty that are charged to support everything that we do. They're completely in our mission, and they complement the military aspect of our faculty as well.”
The Naval Academy, under her purview, maintained a 50% civilian faculty ratio to maintain technical expertise with the “STEM-heavy curriculum,” according to Davids. But the Department of Defense seeks to “strategically” reduce civilian manpower by 5% to 8%, or approximately 50,000 to 60,000 employees, according to a Defense Department statement in February.
It is unclear what the current civilian to military-personnel faculty ratio is across the DOD or at the academy, though Defense One recently reported that more than 60,000 defense civilians have left under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Business as usual?
The Naval Academy website offers guidance to midshipmen and concerned parents in the event of a shutdown.
All students are still required to report to scheduled classes as usual, even if they know their professor won't be there. Once there, if an instructor doesn't show up within 10 minutes of the scheduled time, midshipmen can leave.
“Military instructors will likely hold classes as usual, and even sections with civilian instructors may have a military faculty member substitute,” the page states.
All final exams will be held as scheduled with no exceptions. Each department is responsible for having its own plan to administer final exams, even in the case of a shutdown.
The status of extracurricular activities at the Naval Academy during a shutdown also remains unclear. In September 2023, with an impending government shutdown, then-athletic director Chet Gladchuk said Navy athletics would not be impacted by the potential shutdown because the Naval Academy Athletic Association is a private nonprofit organization and does not use any government funds for athletics.
Navy football is slated to play Air Force on Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
DOD guidance
The DOD released a contingency plan Friday that prioritizes missions and functions that should continue to be carried out in the absence of available appropriations.
Unused funds appropriated in President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill reconciliation package could be considered to support priorities like operations to secure the U.S. southern border, Middle East operations, the U.S. missile defense project Golden Dome for America, depot maintenance, shipbuilding and critical munitions.
The plan also estimates that more than 406,000 of the department's 741,000 civilian employees would be required to work in the event of a shutdown either because their payment comes from a resource other than annual appropriations or they are “Necessary to protect life and property.”
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Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future: 50 Years of Women at Service Academies
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This week, USNA Women proudly launches celebrations for a historic milestone—the 50th anniversary of Public Law 94-106, signed by President Gerald Ford on October 7, 1975, which opened the doors of our nation's service academies to women.
The Service Academy Women (SAW) organization is leading the charge with “50 for 50” events worldwide, recognizing five decades of trailblazing leadership, service, and achievement.
📅 50 for 50 Highlights:
October 4th, 10 a.m. ET – Navy vs. Air Force Tailgater at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, with a group photo at 11 a.m. before kickoff. (RSVP on the USNA Women myUSNA page.)
October 5th, 10 a.m. ET – Memorial Service at the Women's Memorial in Arlington, honoring alumnae we have lost.
October 7th, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT – Virtual Toast: Join USNA Women on Zoom for a celebratory toast. [ Register here]
Stronger Together.
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Celebrate the Navy's 250th in America's birthplace
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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.
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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results
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Navy Athletics away sporting events by major city or state
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This is a current listing of regular season away sporting events in major cities for 2025-2026. Some sports have not yet posted their schedule. For complete schedules, visit each individual sport's schedule link.
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Navy Letterwinners Reunion Series | October 3–5, 2025
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We're excited to welcome you back for the second edition of the Navy Letterwinners Reunion Series! This special weekend is all about reconnecting with your Navy sports community and celebrating the teams that shaped your time on the Yard.
What to expect:
⚓ Open viewing practices – see today's Midshipmen in action
🏅 Participation opportunities – jump back into your old sport with your teammates
🏟️ Home competitions – cheer on Navy teams throughout the weekend
🤝 Post-practice meet & greets – connect with coaches and current players
Whether you're watching from the stands, stepping back on the field, or simply reuniting with fellow Letterwinners, it's a weekend full of Navy pride.
Not on the Yard this weekend? Watch your inbox for details about our final highlighted weekend, October 24–26.
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Men's Golf at Commander-In-Chief's Cup - 1st of 3 teams
Women's Soccer v. Lehigh - T 2-2
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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
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 - 4:00pm EST
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.
18 Oct - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Bourbon Night - Tobacco Barn Distillery - 4:30-6:30 p.m. - 24460 Hollywood Road, Hollywood, MD
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 - 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 ceremony, USNA Chapel - 9am
15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes tailgate luncheon, NMCMS - 10am
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
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The Daily Shipmate is a news product intended to share news about the Naval Academy, the Naval Services, and our members. We are apolitical as an organization and will strive to bring forward relevant news on a wide variety of issues. Just because we include an article does not mean we endorse its content, author, or news organization.
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