Oct 24 Daily Shipmate

Published on October 24, 2025

Friday, Oct 24, 2025

Today in Navy, Marine Corps

and USNA Memorial Hall History

1944 - During operations in the Formosa Strait, Commander Richard O'Kane '34 led his submarine, Tang (SS-306), in a surface attack against a Japanese convoy, sinking two freighters before one of Tang's own torpedoes made a circular run and sank the boat. Only nine crewmembers, including O'Kane, survived the sinking of Tang. The survivors were taken as prisoners of war and spent the remainder of World War II in Japanese prison camps. For his actions, O'Kane received the Medal of Honor.

1962 - A U.S. naval quarantine of Cuba began in response to reconnaissance photographs showing Soviet nuclear missile sites under construction there. Carrying out the quarantine was Task Force 136, under Vice Admiral Alfred G. Ward '32, consisting of the antisubmarine warfare carrier Essex (CVS-9), two heavy cruisers, and numerous destroyers and support ships. The Cuban Missile Crisis, which took the world to the brink of nuclear war, ended when the Soviet Union agreed to pull its offensive missiles out of Cuba in exchange for the United States agreeing not to invade the island nation and removing missiles from Turkey.

1944 - CDR Morris Spriggs '15, USN (Ret.), LTCOL Charles Kail '23, USMC, LCDR Douglas Smith '25, USN, CDR Egbert Roth '29, USN, LCDR Francis Jordan '29, USN, LCDR Alfred Grove '30, USN, LT Daniel Gothie '32, USN, LT Robert Gallagher '33, USN, MAJ Robert Ruge '37, USMC, and 1LT Harold Monson '42, USA were killed when the Japanese prisoner ship they were aboard was sunk by an American submarine. (That submarine, USS Shark (SS 314), was destroyed later that day with the loss of all hands, including CDR Edward Blakely '34, USN, LCDR John Harper, Jr. '39, USN, LTjg William Turner '44, USN.) Though each of the 1,781 prisoners aboard the ship survived the sinking, the escorting Japanese destroyers refused to rescue them; ultimately only nine survived. It is the largest loss of American life in maritime history.

Academy & Graduate happenings

World Series features Naval Academy family

The World Series begins Friday with the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the Toronto Blue Jays. You can watch the Series on Fox. The Fox MLB Analyst for the World Series is Tom Verducci. One of only a few national MLB analysts to have not played professionally, the five-time Emmy-Award winner has covered the sport for more than 30 years in a variety of roles ranging from beat writer to columnist, feature writer, author, reporter, studio analyst and game analyst. Tom's brother is 1980 alumnus Anthony Verducci. The Crew Chief (head umpire) for the World Series will be Mark Wegner. Wegner is the younger brother of 1990 alumna Mary Kay Wegner. Play Ball!

USNA Intercollegiate Flight Team wins competition in Chesapeake, VA

The USNA Intercollegiate Flight Team competed at the Chesapeake (Virginia) Regional Airport 15-19 October earning a win against two other collegiate teams. Five Families from the USNA Hampton Roads Parents Club generously hosted the visiting Midshipmen for four nights providing accommodations coordinated by President Kelly Brown '95, and a team dinner hosted by PJ Trudell '04 and his wife Julie. Rudy Costanzo '78, a USNA Alumni Association Hampton Roads Chapter - Board of Directors member, and a retired NAVY E-2C Hawkeye pilot, provided flight time to Midshipmen who didn't participate in the airborne challenges. Over three separate flights, NINE Midshipmen were given an airborne tour of Southeastern Virginia and an opportunity to see the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. SIX of those Mids were from the class of 2028, the Another Link in the Chain class for Costanzo's class of 1978.

Naval Academy Class of 1975 completes 1,200-mile charity bike ride from the Gulf to Annapolis

15 members of the U.S. Naval Academy's Class of 1975 crossed the finish line at their alma mater Wednesday, completing a grueling 1,200-mile charity bike ride that took them 22 days to complete. The Gulf to Goats charity bike ride began 1 October in Apalachicola, Florida, and ended at the Naval Academy campus in Annapolis just in time for the class's 50th reunion celebration. "Pretty emotional, I didn't really know what we were getting ourselves into. My buddies and I had this dream a couple years ago and we said 'hey why don't we start from the gulf and call it Gulf to Goat? It sounds good,'" Michael Meier said.

Government & Military News

Thousands of vets saddled with false criminal histories, lawsuit says

Thousands of veterans across all services have been wrongly listed in FBI criminal databases through a military “titling” process—even when no charges were filed. The Navy and Marine Corps share those records, which have cost service members jobs, clearances, and peace of mind. Legal advocates are pushing for reform and new protections to restore reputations. See what fixes are being proposed.

Marines to use Quickfish interceptor USV after Pacific test

The Marines are fielding a new Quickfish interceptor unmanned surface vehicle or USV. This fast autonomous surface vessel is designed for multiple missions and extended deployments. It recently completed a Pacific test and is now moving into real world use. Learn how this advanced unmanned system could change naval operations for the Marines and why the Pacific trial is important. Click the link to see full details on specifications, missions and objectives.

Lawmakers want answers after artillery shell explosion over highway

California lawmakers are demanding answers after a live-fire demonstration over Camp Pendleton went wrong. A 155 mm shell exploded midair over Interstate 5, sending shrapnel onto the highway and hitting two California Highway Patrol vehicles. The event, held during the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary and attended by Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Hegseth, was halted and is now under investigation.

Local, Education & other academy news

Only two hours remaining

Don't miss your chance to bid on one of our most sought-after auction items, the exclusive 3-day Pebble Beach golf getaway courtesy of Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis. The live auction takes place this Friday, 24 October at the conclusion of the Anchors Aweigh Open, but you don't need to be there in person to win because phone bidding is back. **REGISTER TO BID** Register no later than 10 a.m. ET today. Don't miss out! Previous winners have called this an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime golfing experience! Bidding starts at $8,500.

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Maverick and Movies on the Memorial TONIGHT

The U.S. Navy Memorial's Navy250 celebration wraps up TONIGHT with a screening of Top Gun: Maverick for their Movies on the Memorial series. Due to weather, the screening has been moved indoors to their historic Arleigh and Roberta Burke Theatre. The movie begins at 7 p.m., so join us to experience the magic of cinema on the first LED wall in Washington D.C. while celebrating 250 years of service and sacrifice. Register below stay updated on this event and more from the Navy Memorial.

Friday, 24 October | 7:00 p.m. – Top Gun: Maverick

Location: U.S. Navy Memorial – 701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Metro Stop: Navy Memorial-Archives

Get updates

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Navy Football plays host to FAU in first meeting as conference opponents - Game will be televised on CBS Sports Network

Navy (6-0, 4-0 in the American) and FAU (3-4, 2-2) will meet for the 1st time as conference foes and the 3rd time overall on Saturday afternoon (3:30 pm) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (34,000) in Annapolis. Navy is one of just 6 remaining unbeaten teams, joining BYU, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Ohio State and Texas A&M. Navy has won 9-consecutive games dating back to last year, which is tied with BYU for the 2nd-longest active winning streak in the country. Ohio State has the longest winning streak in the FBS with 11-straight wins.

Naval Academy's Alumni Hall chosen to host 2025 Armed Forces Classic

Originally scheduled to be held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the matchup between the No. 1 UConn Huskies and No. 20 Louisville Cardinals will be hosted at Navy's Alumni Hall on Tuesday, November 4. As the first-ever women's basketball matchup in the Armed Forces Classic series, the Huskies and Cardinals will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Weekend Matchups

Friday, Oct 24

Women's Tennis at ITA Patriot League Masters Qualifier - Bethlehem, Pa. - 12 p.m.

Men's Tennis at ITA Patriot League Masters Qualifier - Bethlehem, Pa. - 12 p.m.

Men's Squash at Barb Tournament Finals - Annapolis, Md. - 4 p.m.

Women's Soccer v Lafayette - Annapolis, Md. - 5 p.m.

Sprint Football v Molloy - Annapolis, Md. - 6 p.m.

Women's Volleyball v Lafayette - Annapolis, Md. - 7 p.m.

Men's Water Polo v George Washington - Annapolis, Md. - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct 25

Intercollegiate Sailing at War Memorial Regatta - Geneva, N.Y. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at MAISA Fall Women's Regatta - Throggs Neck, N.Y. - All Day

Offshore Sailing at Colgate Small Keelboat Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - All Day

Offshore Sailing at Eastport Yacht Club J/105 Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - All Day

Women's Lacrosse Navy Alumni game - Annapolis, Md. (Rip Miller Field) - 8 a.m.

Men's Squash at The Bowen Cup - Alumni Match - Annapolis, Md. - 9 a.m.

Men's Water Polo v Iona - Annapolis, Md. - 9 a.m.

Men's Tennis at ITA Patriot League Masters Qualifier - Bethlehem, Pa. - 10 a.m.

Women's Triathlon at NCAA East Regional Qualifier - Troutman, N.C. - 10 a.m.

Women's Tennis at ITA Patriot League Masters Qualifier - Bethlehem, Pa. - 10 a.m.

Women's Golf at Lehigh Invitational - Bedminster, N.J. / Trump National Golf Club - 11 a.m.

Women's Rugby at Army - West Point, N.Y. - 12 p.m. Star Match

Men's Soccer at Loyola - Baltimore, Md. / Ridley Athletic Complex - 1 p.m.

Men's Lacrosse at Richmond (Scrimmage) - Richmond, Va. - 1 p.m.

Football v FAU - Annapolis, Md. - 3:30 p.m.

Men's Rugby at No. 10 Penn State - University Park, Pa. - 4 p.m.

Women's Volleyball v Lehigh - Annapolis, Md. - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct 26