Oct 15 Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025

1942 - American and Japanese naval aircraft trade attacks against forces attempting to reinforce Guadalcanal. While Navy and Marine aircraft from Henderson Field attack a convoy heading up the Slot, carrier planes from the Japanese carrier Zuikaku stage attacks against vessels of Task Units 62.4.5 and 62.4.6. Three Japanese cargo ships and the destroyer Meredith (DD-434) are sunk. Seven officers and 56 enlisted men from the destroyer's crew survive the sinking and subsequent three days drifting in shark-infested waters.

 

1962 - Reflecting President John F. Kennedy's emphasis on unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency operations, the Navy created two Sea Air Land (SEAL) teams. The SEALs were successors to the Underwater Demolition Teams formed during World War II.

 

1968 - Developed by Commander Naval Forces, Vietnam VADM Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. '42, USN, SEALORDS (Southeast Asia Lake, Ocean, River, and Delta Strategy) operations begin with the goal of cutting off North Vietnamese and Viet Cong supply lines from Cambodia. In the first year of operations, SEALORDS results in the capture or destruction of 500 tons of supplies and ammunition and the death or capture of some 3,300 Communist soldiers. Navy, Army and South Vietnamese Navy forces participate in SEALORDS.

 

1985 - LT Robert Ledbetter, III '69, USNR was lost when the CH-53D he was riding in crashed immediately after taking off from USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7), operating off the coast of North Carolina. He was a chaplain attached to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. Born in Watseka, Illinois, he was raised in Norfolk where he graduated high school. He had sea duty in a minesweeper and guided missile destroyer, and spent a year at the Pentagon. He resigned his commission, and spent about eight years in various Baptist ministries. In 1983 he was ordained and commissioned a Lt.(j.g.) CHC, USNR; in June 1984 he was recalled to active duty. He was survived by his wife, children, and parents.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Sing Second Pod featuring an interview with ADM Stuart Munsch '85, the Old Goat.

Season six, episode 10. Phew...what a weekend in Philly! We celebrated 250 years of the Navy...180 years of USNA...a soccer doubleheader and a thrilling football win over Temple University. Chris and John break down the action from the weekend as they try to recover from multiple cheesesteaks consumed and multiple heart attacks endured during the football game. We also chat with ADM Stuart Munsch '85, USN...most recently the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command, Naples. The Admiral talks about leading sailors in a busy AOR, being a dead-eye pistol shooting champion and being a Rhodes Scholar. Don't Miss the pod's first interview with an active duty 4-star. That and more on a world's best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast. Thanks for listening. Beat Army!

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USNA Alumni and Naval Engineers & STEM Advocates (NESA) Shared Interest Group (SIG) volunteers had an awesome time engaging the next generation at the Navy ~ Marine Corps Innovation Pavillion at the Navy 250th Birthday Celebration this past weekend. Dale Lumme '80 met up with a former superb NESA SIG volunteer, CAPT Shauna O'Sullivan who has participated at STEM Center events at the Naval Academy.

Government & Military News

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 14, 2025. 

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of October 14, 2025, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

The next war may begin not with bullets but with cyberattacks on domestic systems. Military leaders are concerned that “the first shots will be fired in the cyber domain” and argue AI-driven decision making and treating data as a strategic asset are vital to future success.

The massive multinational naval exercise UNITAS 2025 culminated on 7 October with a Sinking Exercise (SINKEX), where allied forces used a decommissioned warship as a live-fire target. The SINKEX and action of sinking our own ship serves a dual purpose: providing invaluable, realistic training for testing weapons and tactics, and sending a powerful strategic message to China.

The Amphibious Tractor Association proudly announces the Ceremonial Groundbreaking of the Amphibious Tractor Memorial, to be held on October 23, 2025 at 3 p.m. at The National Museum of the Marine Corps. The event marks the beginning of construction for a lasting monument dedicated to the men and women who have served with U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Tractor and Assault Amphibian units from the 1930s to today.

Local, Education & other academy news

Calling all creative Navy fans, this is your chance to design this year's Beat Army spirit button! Your design should be bold, fun, family friendly and bursting with Navy blue and gold pride. The winning artwork will be featured at our Beat Army and President's Circle Tailgates and the Fluegel Alumni Center Watch Party. After the deadline, the USNA AA&F staff will hold an internal vote to select the top four entries. These will then be posted on our social media accounts for followers to vote for their favorite. Social media followers can vote for their favorite on @usnaalumni Facebook and Instagram. The winner will be announced the week of 10 November 2025. Submit your original, human-created design by 29 October 2025. Click the button below for more information and instructions on how to enter your design. More information about the Army/Navy watch party at the Fluegel Alumni Center and other Army/Navy events and activities will be released in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

Join us for a Homecoming Oktoberfest themed celebration at the Alumni Center! Enjoy Bavarian-inspired snacks like soft pretzels with beer cheese and mustard, cold drinks from the Blue & Gold Bar and lawn games on the back deck. Kids can enjoy face painting and coloring while the Spirit Team performs at 11:15 a.m. and the Sing Second Podcast records live from noon to 1 p.m. Don't miss giveaways, photo ops and tours! Register by Friday, 24 October for two drink tickets.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Offshore Sailing at Arturo Prat Regatta Off Valparaiso - Valparaiso, Chile - All Day

Women's Soccer at American - Washington, D.C. - 1 p.m.

Navy-Army Star Series. Army leads 2-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Navy - Men's Golf. **Note - The tie between Army and Navy in Women's Soccer means neither team receives the star)

18 Oct - W. Cross Country - West Point - 10:15 a.m.

18 Oct - M. Cross Country - West Point - 11:15 a.m.

25 Oct - W. Rugby - West Point - 12:00 p.m.

15 Nov - M. Rugby - West Point - 5:00 p.m.

15 Nov - Sprint Football - West Point - 1:00 p.m.

6 Dec - M. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - 12:00 p.m.

6 Dec - W. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - 12:00 p.m.

13 Dec - Football - Baltimore, Md. - 3:00 p.m.

7 Feb - Rifle - West Point - 9:00 a.m.

7 Feb - M. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

7 Feb - W. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

20 Feb - Wrestling - Annapolis - 7:30pm - Alumni Hall

21 Feb - W. Basketball - West Point - TBA

21 Feb - M. Basketball - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - M. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

TBA - Baseball - Annapolis

TBA - Gymnastics - Annapolis

TBA - M. Lacrosse - West Point

TBA - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis

TBA - M. Tennis - Annapolis

TBA - W. Tennis - Annapolis

USNA and AA&F Events

OCTOBER

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

7 Nov - Veteran's Classic - Navy v Yale - 8:30pm

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 - 9 a.m.

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes tailgate luncheon, NMCMS - 10 a.m.

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