Today in Navy, Marine Corps
and USNA Memorial Hall History
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1924 - ENS Henry Drexler '24, USN was lost when powder bags exploded in the forward gun turret of USS Trenton (CL 11) during gunnery exercises off the coast of Virginia. Twenty men were trapped in the mount; four died immediately and another ten later perished. Henry was killed while attempting to get a flaming bag of powder into an immersion tank; for his “extraordinary heroism” he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor (and also the Navy Cross). Henry was survived by his parents and brother, CDR Louis Drexler, Jr. '23, USN, who was killed in action during the invasion of Okinawa in May 1945. USS Drexler (DD 741), named for Henry, was sunk by a kamikaze near Okinawa and barely two weeks after Louis' death.
1944 - Seventh Fleet, under Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid '08, landed four Army divisions on Leyte, with carrier aircraft and fast battleships of the Third Fleet joining in support of the amphibious assault.
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Academy & Graduate happenings
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Come for the Welcome Home Party … stay for the podcast
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Come join the Alumni Association & Foundation Saturday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our annual Welcome Home Homecoming event at the Fluegel Alumni Center. Food, games, music, that Oktoberfest vibe and drinks. A special live Sing Second and Anchors Aweigh Podcast will happen in the Blue and Gold Bar from 12 to 1 p.m. This live podcast brings the noise with Athletic Director Michael Kelly, new Men's Basketball Coach Jon Perry, Senior VP of Nasdaq on Wall Street Brandis Desimone '05 in town for her 20th reunion … and … outgoing Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. Join those guests, John Schofield, Chris Servello '99 and Bill Wagner of the Capital Gazette for this special live podcast during homecoming.
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Alums gather at Falcons Landing
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We recently held our USNA Alumni luncheon with 20 attendees. Our group typically hosts up to three luncheons each year, along with a joint Army–Navy Game luncheon where we gather in the Ballroom to watch the game on a large pull-down screen.
Our group includes 42 alumni—graduates, spouses, and widows. Falcons Landing, our home community, is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) founded by the Air Force Retired Officers Community (AFROC) and completed in 1996. While originally open only to military officers and federal government officials, Falcons Landing now welcomes all qualified residents.
The community features primarily independent living residences, along with exceptional assisted living, nursing care, and memory care facilities. Falcons Landing is located in Potomac Falls, Virginia, about 26 miles west of Washington, D.C., and is home to just over 400 residents.
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Government & Military News
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Marine Corps Marathon is a go despite government shutdown uncertainty
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The Marine Corps Marathon is a go despite the ongoing government shutdown. A spokesperson confirmed the marathon will happen on 26 October, when "The People's Marathon" celebrates its 50th anniversary. This comes after the Army Ten-Miler faced similar uncertainty given the shutdown, but ended up going off without a hitch. The MCM is the largest marathon that does not offer prize money. For this year's running, a record-breaking 40,000 runners have registered, ensuring the largest field in the event's history. Organizers say the milestone also makes the 2025 MCM the third-largest marathon in North America,
surpassing the Boston Marathon in size for the first time.
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Netflix drops trailer for upcoming 'Marines' documentary
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Netflix just dropped the trailer for “Marines,” a gripping four-part documentary spotlighting the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa. Launching 10 November 2025 to mark the Marine Corps' 250th birthday, the series gives an inside look at the grit, discipline and heart of those who answer the call to serve.
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Military to fire artillery over California highway amid JD Vance visit
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The Marine Corps will conduct a live-fire artillery demonstration at Camp Pendleton as part of its 250th anniversary celebration, coinciding with a visit from Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance. The event, taking place near Interstate 5, will showcase Marine combat readiness and precision while briefly halting nearby traffic for safety.
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Air Force Academy alumni board withdraws motions to honor Charlie Kirk
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A board of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates that was expected to vote Friday on whether to extend an honorary degree and honorary membership into the academy's alumni association to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk withdrew both of the motions. In a statement late Friday, the Association of Graduates, which serves as the academy's nonprofit alumni group, said its board of directors dropped the motions after hearing the past two days from “several hundred” Air Force Academy graduates, parents and other family members about the idea to recognize Kirk.
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Local, Education & other academy news
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ICYMI: The Army/Navy Button Design Contest is OPEN
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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.
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Maverick and Movies on the Memorial
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Celebrate 250 years of U.S. Navy service and sacrifice with an unforgettable evening under the stars. Don't miss the final screening of Top Gun: Maverick at the U.S. Navy Memorial in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. — a perfect way to honor our Navy's legacy and enjoy one of the most thrilling films of recent years.
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Bags, Bingo and Bourbon tickets are on sale now
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Get yours today! 24 October at 6:30 p.m. Your Annapolis Police Foundation is hard at work year round to help our kids, our community and our Annapolis Police Officers. We underwrite great programs like: Shop With A Cop (Back to School and The Holiday Edition), Cooking With A Cop, Summer Fishing Camp, Summer Sailing Camp, PAL Boxing, Chess and Girls Volleyball. Get your tickets today and join us for all the fun at Bags, Bingo and Bourbon!
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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results
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Mumford leads Men's Cross Country to Star win
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Senior Justin Mumford led for a majority of America's Meet, earning individual medalist honors and leading Navy men's cross country (1-0) to a 26-29 victory over Army (0-1) in the annual Star Meet, which is part of the overall Army-Navy Star Series, presented by USAA on Saturday morning at the West Point Golf Course in West Point, N.Y. At the 3K mark of the 8K race, Mumford took the lead position and never looked back as the senior won by nearly 20 seconds (17.2). Navy was in the lead through the 3K, holding a 22-33 advantage. Army took a 27-28 lead midway through the race. Through 5500m, the Black Knights increased their advantage to 24-31. The hosts increased their lead to nine, 23-32, at the 6400m checkpoint, but Navy closed the gap to one, 27-28, with 700m remaining. The Midshipmen were able to retake the lead as a team in the final 700m to claim the 26-29 win.
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Friday, Oct 17
Women's Swimming & Diving v. Loyola, Maryland - W 153-136
Men's Swimming & Diving v. Loyola, Maryland - W 164-125
Sprint Football v. Chestnut Hill - W 28-17
Women's Rugby at Wheeling - L 37-14
Saturday, Oct 18
Rifle v. Kentucky - L 4730-4738
Men's Water Polo at Mercyhurst - W 19-4
Women's Cross Country at Army - Star Meet - L 46-15
Men's Cross Country at Army - Star Meet - W 26-29
Men's Water Polo v. Gannon - W 18-12
Men's Soccer v. Lafayette - T 3-3
Women's Volleyball at Bucknell - W 3-1
Sunday, Oct 19
Men's Water Polo v. Bucknell - W 19-14
Women's Soccer at Bucknell - T 3-3
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Navy-Army Star Series. Army leads 3-2-1
Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Cross Country
Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country
Tie - Women's Soccer
(**Note - The tie between Army and Navy in Women's Soccer means neither team receives the star)
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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
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OCTOBER
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 - 8:30 p.m.
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
10 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. - 5-6 p.m. - Brudergarten, 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Online event: https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn
12 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter - 8:30-10 a.m. - Taphouse, 1637 23418 Three Notch Rd, California, MD 20619, USA
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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