Official daily newsletter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
Today in Navy, Marine Corps
and USNA Memorial Hall History
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1968 - In a surprise attack in the Lon-Bo De River area of South Vietnam, Navy patrol boats joined South Vietnamese Air Force A-1 Skyraiders, tank landing ship Washoe County (LST-1165) and Coast Guard cutter Wachusett (WHEC-44) in destroying 242 enemy watercraft and 167 structures during a period of five hours.
1989 - ENS Steven Pontell '88, USN was lost when the T-2C training jet he was piloting crashed aboard USS Lexington (CV 16) in the Gulf of Mexico. He was survived by his parents and two brothers. The younger brother, LT Darin Pontell '98, USN, was inspired to attend the Naval Academy by Steven. Knowing his parents couldn't handle the potential loss of another son in an aviation accident, Darin chose to become an intelligence officer. He was killed on September 11, 2001 while on duty in the Pentagon.
2012 - To support relief efforts in New York and New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Navy deployed USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS San Antonio (LPD-17), and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50). The Navy also provided the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, Composite Riverine Squadron 4, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, and the Underwater Construction Team. Naval efforts consisted of repairing infrastructure, rescuing citizens, and clearing debris.
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Academy & Graduate happenings
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Sing Second Podcast featuring Abby Boretto from "The Ring and the Mountain"
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Season six, episode 12. Well...we survived Homecoming week. The Anchors Aweigh Golf Tournament, the Fluegel Alumni Center Welcome Home Event. The Live podcasts from the Alley Restaurant with NABSD and the Live Pod from the FAC. And a huge win for Navy Football over FAU. Chris and John break it all down and give a little preview of the North Texas game and the amazing roadshow events we have in Austin and with the North Texas chapter before we take on the Mean Green Saturday at Noon EST. Our interview this week is with Abby Boretto. Abby was just 15 months old when her father passed away on Sept. 23, 1972. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Henry N. Pilger '7 died in a helicopter crash over Grytoya Island, 200 miles above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway. In October 1993, a Norwegian doctor named Hans Krogstad discovered a gold ring with a blue star sapphire on Grytoya Island. Engraved with "Henry N. Pilger" and bearing the insignia of the U.S. Naval Academy, the ring led Krogstad to metal fragments and a green military glove, remnants of the helicopter crash 21 years earlier. The ring eventually found its way back to Abby. She shares her amazing story with us. That and more on the very best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army ... always.
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Government & Military News
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US Navy Probes Possible Fuel Contamination After Two USS Nimitz Aircraft Crash Within 30 Minutes
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The U.S. Navy is investigating whether contaminated fuel aboard the USS Nimitz caused two aircraft to crash within 30 minutes of each other in the South China Sea. Early reports suggest the same batch of fuel may have been used for both flights, prompting a fleet-wide review of supplies. All five crew members were rescued and are in stable condition. Read the full story to learn how the Navy is responding to this alarming potential fuel contamination issue.
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Shutdown causes turmoil for some military families' food assistance
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As the government shutdown continues, many military families are bracing for the loss of critical food assistance programs including SNAP and WIC starting 1 November. While the WIC overseas program remains secure, state-run versions of WIC and SNAP that support thousands of military households are running out of funding. The uncertainty is creating financial strain for families already managing the challenges of military life. Read the full story to see how communities are stepping up to help.
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Introducing the Marine Corps' Attack Drone Team
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The Marine Corps has launched the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, a new unit based at Quantico focused on mastering first person view attack drones for future combat. Formed in early 2025, the team trains Marines to use drones for precision strikes, reconnaissance and rapid battlefield response. By testing tactics and shaping technology requirements, the group is redefining how Marines fight and win in modern warfare. Read more about how this innovative unit is transforming Marine Corps operations.
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Local, Education & other academy news
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Navy Letterwinners Association Tailgate - Navy v USF
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We are less than three weeks away from the FREE Navy Letterwinners Tailgate for the Navy Football vs. USF game! All former varsity and club athletes, receiving this email, are invited with one free guest! Free food and drinks (beer, wine, seltzer, and soft drinks) will be available.
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. EST through the duration of the game (Game Start: 12 p.m. EST)
Location: Northwest Class Ring Tent inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
RSVP Deadline: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Tickets to the football game, and the tailgate area, are required to enter Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and can be purchased using the links below (RSVP Form also includes purchasing additional guest passes link). The 2025 Navy Letterwinners Football Ticket Offer only has Standing Room Only tickets remaining for the football game (November 15) and the purchase deadline is this Friday, October 31, 2025 at 1 p.m. EDT. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Caitlin Kane ( [email protected]).
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NOW OPEN: Beat Army Alumni Tailgate and Bus Registration.
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Registration is now open for the Beat Army Tailgate at Checkerspot Brewing Co., 1421 Ridgely Street in Baltimore! Join fellow Navy fans for a pregame fueled by great food, cold drinks and unbeatable Navy blue and gold spirit. Your ticket includes food and an open bar for beer and wine, with a cash bar available for mixed drinks. So rally your crew, don on all your Navy gear and get ready to watch the Black Knights and the Midshipmen face off on the gridiron for the 2025 game in Baltimore, Maryland. For questions, please reach out to [email protected].
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YOU ARE INVITED: Beat Army Watch Party
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Gear up for Game Day for our third annual exclusive Beat Army Watch Party – the perfect way to kickoff the most anticipated game of the Navy football season with fellow Navy fans. Enjoy delicious food, drinks, door prizes, a football pool, swag, photo ops and plenty of spirited camaraderie. Whether you missed out on tickets to catch the game in Baltimore or just want a comfortable place to cheer on the navy blue and gold, our doors open one hour before kickoff. Tickets include all festivities, with food and drink packages available. Private viewing areas are also an option. Register today (myUSNA.com login required).
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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results
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Men's Golf vs FAU Invitational - 16th out of 16 Teams
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Women's Soccer at Loyola (Md.) - Baltimore, Md. - 6 p.m.
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OCTOBER
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.
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 Nov - Pensacola Congressional Academy Day - Naval Aviation Museum - Pensacola, FL
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 Alumni Center
18-19 Nov - US Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Fall Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center
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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