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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1966 - In the most successful Operation Game Warden action thus far during the Vietnam War, the patrol boats PBR-105 and PBR-107, later joined by UH-1B helicopters, sink or capture 57 junks and sampans during a three-hour engagement in the Mekong River. During the action, Boatswain's Mate First Class James E. Williams, on board PBR-105, displays inspiring leadership and courage, exposing himself to withering enemy fire in directing attacks against the numerically superior enemy force. In gathering darkness, he orders the boats' searchlights turned on to provide better visibility for his gunners and the attacking helicopters, knowing that this would make the patrol boats more visible. For his actions Williams receives the Medal of Honor.
1972 - While serving as a SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) advisor, Engineman Second Class Michael E. Thornton participates in an intelligence-gathering mission against a North Vietnamese naval river base. His five-man patrol comes under fire by a numerically superior force, which results in a vicious firefight. As they withdraw, Thornton learns that the patrol's leader, a SEAL lieutenant, is hit and believed dead. In the face of enemy gunfire, he returns to the officer's last position and discovers that he is unconscious, but still alive. Killing two enemy soldiers about to overrun his position, Thornton moves the lieutenant to safety. Inflating the wounded man's lifejacket, he then pulls him through the water for two hours until picked up by a support craft. For his heroism, Thornton receives the Medal of Honor.
1988 - MAJ Richard Eisloeffel '76, USMC and CAPT Michael King '79, USMC were lost when the CH-46 Sea Knight they were piloting crashed near Okinawa, Japan after colliding with another aircraft. They were members of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262. Richard was a native of El Cajon, California and extremely active in high school, where at various points he was in student government, president of two clubs, and on the football, baseball, and soccer teams. He was survived by his parents. Michael was a “foreign service brat,” living “in many places around the world.” In a previous tour he'd flown evacuation flights from the Beirut bombing site in 1983. Michael was survived by his wife, 5-month-old twins, parents, and a sister.
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Academy & Graduate happenings
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Fluegel Alumni Center Bursts with Navy Pride at Welcome Home Event
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The Welcome Home Party here at the FAC brought the USNA Community together for a morning full of Navy spirit! Guests enjoyed self-guided tours, lawn games, face painting, and special appearances by the Navy Spirit Team and Bill the Goat. The Blue & Gold Bar hosted drinks, snacks and a LIVE Sing Second podcast. Families and alumni loved the giveaways, including koozies, buttons and commemorative stickers. The day ended with a Navy win over FAU. The team is now 7-0. Relive all the excitement, laughter and memorable moments by checking out our recap video and photo gallery—experience the fun all over again!
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Navy Fans Can Vote for Blake Horvath for the Heisman Trophy
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Navy fans have an opportunity to vote for senior quarterback Blake Horvath for the Heisman Trophy as part of the Heisman Trophy fan vote. The Heisman Fan Vote allows college football fans to help determine which player will represent the "voice of the fans" on an official Heisman ballot, counted alongside those submitted by media members and Heisman winners. Fans may cast one vote per day on the website and one vote per day on each social media platform by creating a post containing the following: @HeismanTrophy I want to vote for #PlayerName(.)
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USNA Admissions Forums and Congressional Academy Days
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USNA could be coming to your hometown soon! Check the Admissions Information Session page periodically to find out about upcoming events throughout the country showcasing the Naval Academy and providing insight into the admissions process. Academy Days are sponsored by your local congressional offices and are intended to give you information regarding all service academies. When available, we typically send midshipmen to speak at these events.
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Navy Football Podcast - Celebrating Navy starting the season 7-0 for the first time since 1978
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The Navy Football Podcast team reviews the defeat of Florida Atlantic that improved Navy's record to 7-0 for the first time since 1978. We also preview the tough road matchup at North Texas this Saturday. Former Navy football players Keenan Reynolds and Eric Kettani provide expert analysis, while producer Chris Servello brings the fan's perspective.
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Government & Military News
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Civilian Leading Office of Naval Research, Former Commander Rothenhaus Reassigned
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The Office of Naval Research will now be led by a civilian for the first time in its history marking a new chapter for naval innovation. This leadership change follows the reassignment of RADM Kurt J. Rothenhaus who has guided ONR since 2023. The move highlights the Navy's continued commitment to advancing science and technology by bringing fresh perspectives to the research driving future fleet capabilities.
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Last-Minute Scramble Over Pay Takes a Toll on Military Families During the Shutdown
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With the government shutdown now lasting 30 days, the shutdown continues to weigh heavily on military families—including those of the United States Navy—who face delayed paychecks and growing financial stress. Even though service members continue working, many households worry about bills, moving costs and family stability under the cloud of delayed deposits. The Department of the Navy has published resources for sailors, Marines and their families to help bridge this gap.
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Research on veterans is broken. This tool aims to fix it.
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Research on veterans has often lacked accuracy and representation. To change that RAND Corporation and NORC at the University of Chicago created the Veterans Insight Panel a new data tool designed to capture real veteran experiences. This innovative platform helps identify needs and trends that directly impact Navy and military veterans improving policies programs and transition support. By putting reliable insights in the hands of decision makers it ensures veterans' voices guide future solutions.
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Local, Education & other academy news
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Deadline EXTENDED to 5 November to submit your design!
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Unleash your creativity and show your Navy pride with a fun, family-friendly design in blue and gold! This is your chance to earn ultimate bragging rights. The top four designs will be featured on our social media pages (Facebook & Instagram: @usnaalumni), where Navy fans will vote for their favorite. The winner will be announced before 11 November 2025! Let your imagination run wild and may the best button win!
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USNA Women Need Your Photos
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USNA Women is partnering with Historic Annapolis to open an exhibit celebrating 50 Years of Women at the Naval Academy, highlighting their impact on the Navy, Marine Corps and national defense. Opening downtown in January 2026 and running through May 2026, the exhibit seeks photos for a digital display (due 30 November) and 12 framed prints (due 1 November). Selected images may also inspire a commemorative photo book in 2026, continuing the celebration of women's legacy at USNA.
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Coastal flooding disrupts traffic, forces some downtown Annapolis businesses to close
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City Dock in downtown Annapolis was underwater again Thursday morning after heavy rain dumped across Maryland. Flooded roads disrupted traffic, halted deliveries, and forced a number of businesses to either close for the day or open late. The flooding on Thursday morning was about as bad as it gets in downtown Annapolis. Water got all the way up to the traffic circle at City Dock, and it took hours to recede. Heavy rain and coastal flooding pushed water levels to more than four feet above the normal low tide level, one of the highest readings Annapolis had seen this year.
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Army-Navy Game expected to deliver multimillion-dollar boost to Baltimore
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The Army-Navy Game at M&T Bank Stadium on 13 Dec. is expected to deliver a significant boost to Baltimore's economy, continuing a trend of strong financial returns from major college football and sporting events hosted in the city. The Navy-Notre Dame game played at M&T Bank Stadium in 2022 generated an estimated $18.9 million in total economic impact, according to a Maryland Stadium Authority report obtained by The Baltimore Sun through a Freedom of Information Act request. Marty Conway, a Georgetown University adjunct professor who teaches sports business and is a former Orioles marketing executive, said the Army-Navy matchup brings both substantial revenue and national attention to Baltimore.
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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results
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The Army/Navy Hockey double header is Friday December 12th!
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Tickets go on sale Monday November 3rd, and can be purchased by calling the BSC Front Desk at 410-293-9700. Act fast, as they will sell out quickly!
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Friday, 31 October
Women's Cross Country at Patriot League Championship - Bethlehem, Pa. - 12:00 p.m.
Men's Cross Country at Patriot League Championship - Bethlehem, Pa. - 1:00 p.m.
Women's Volleyball at Holy Cross - Worcester, Mass. - 6:00 p.m.
Men's Soccer vs Bucknell - Annapolis, Md. - 7:00 p.m.
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Saturday 1 November
Offshore Sailing vs Kennedy Cup - Annapolis, Md. - All Day
Women's Tennis vs Navy Blinds - Annapolis, Md. - 9:00 a.m.
Rifle vs President's Trophy Match - Annapolis, Md. - 9:00 a.m.
Men's Swimming & Diving at George Washington - Alexandria, Va. - 11:30 a.m.
Women's Swimming & Diving at George Washington - Alexandria, Va. - 11:30 a.m.
Football at North Texas - Denton, Texas - 12 Noon ET
Women's Rugby vs Penn State - Annapolis, Md. - 1:00 p.m.
Wrestling vs Pittsburgh - Annapolis, Md. - 2:00 p.m.
Sprint Football at Penn - Philadelphia, Pa. - 3:00 p.m.
Men's Water Polo vs Wagner - Annapolis, Md. - 6:00 p.m.
Women's Volleyball at Army - West Point, N.Y. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 2 November
Offshore Sailing vs Kennedy Cup - Annapolis, Md. - All Day
Women's Tennis vs Navy Blinds - Annapolis, Md. - 9:00 a.m.
Men's Lightweight Rowing at Princeton Chase - Princeton, N.J. - 9:30 a.m.
Wrestling vs Navy Classic - Annapolis, Md. - 10:00 a.m.
Men's Water Polo vs #5 Fordham - Annapolis, Md. - 11:00 a.m.
Men's Water Polo vs Johns Hopkins - Annapolis, Md. - 3:00 p.m.
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OCTOBER
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 - U.S. 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 - U.S. 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 - U.S. 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
JANUARY
4 Jan - USNA Semester Leave ends
6 Jan - USNA Classes Begin, Spring Semester
10 Jan - Pensacola Chapter Congressional Academy Day - 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Fl.
24 Jan - Thriving as Leaders Award Recognition, Fluegel (TBD)
FEBRUARY
14 Feb - Commissioning 101, Fluegel
19 Feb - USNA Entrepreneurs event, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Fluegel
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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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