Nov 5 Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 5 November 2025

1915 - In the waters of Pensacola Bay, Florida, Lieutenant Commander Henry C. Mustin makes a successful catapult launch in the AB-2 flying boat from the armored cruiser North Carolina (ACR-12). This marks the first successful catapult launching of an aircraft from a ship underway.

 

1917 - LTjg John Melvin '11, USNRF was killed in action when when USS Alcedo (SP 166) was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of France while on convoy escort duty. The ship was a converted yacht and was the first vessel of the United States to be lost in World War I; he was the first American naval officer to be killed in the war. John attended the Dallas Academy in his hometown of Selma, Alabama, before leaving at the age of 13 to work as a clerk at the bank where his father was President. He was popular within his Naval Academy class (193 graduates); after his death they erected a plaque in Memorial Hall. John resigned his commission on August 20, 1915. When he returned to service on February 9, 1917 it was as a part of the US Naval Reserve Force. Two ships, USS Melvin (DD 335) and USS Melvin (DD 680), were named in his honor. John was survived by his parents, two brothers, and four sisters.

 

1986 - The cruiser Reeves (CG-24) with the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet embarked, the destroyer Oldendorf (DD-972), and the frigate Rentz (FFG-46) become the first U.S. Navy warships to visit China in 37 years.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Sherrill '94 wins and Thorp '81 leads in their races for elected office
Note: these stories are not endorsements of results or any political party. These are just informational stories involving alums' pursuits and accomplishments in command, citizenship and government.

Mikie Sherrill '94 defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the New Jersey gubernatorial race. Her victory secures Democrats a third straight term in the governor's office — the first time that's happened since 1961 — reflecting the state's enduring blue tilt despite recent Republican gains. Preliminary data from the Fox News Voter Poll, a survey of more than 4,400 registered New Jersey voters, showed Sherrill performed well with Black voters, voters under age 30, women, and college degree holders. Sherrill graduated from the Naval Academy in 1993. (Fox)

Preliminary results from the 2025 Annapolis General Election show clear leaders in the races for mayor and all eight council wards, based only on votes cast in person today. These numbers do not yet include ballots placed in drop boxes, provisional ballots, or any mail-in ballots received. The City will conduct a canvass on November 6 to add those votes, with a final canvass and certification scheduled for November 12, 2025, which is also the deadline for receiving any additional mail-in ballots. Only then will the results be official. Preliminary same-day results show Jared Littmann in position to lead Annapolis on an agenda focused on improving core city services, simplifying parking and permitting, investing in flood protection at City Dock and beyond, and using performance-based budgeting to manage tax rates over time. O'Shea called Littmann shortly after 10:30pm and conceded the election and congratulated Littmann on the race. Same-day tallies keep Frank Thorp '81 in contention with a maritime-centered vision that protects working waterfront boatyards and jobs, implements long-delayed Eastport traffic and parking recommendations, and closely scrutinizes the budget while acknowledging major obligations like City Dock and Hawkins Cove. Current vote count before the 12 Nov tally of mail-in votes: Thorp-679, Cunha-499.

Two Naval Academy alumni reunited at Japan's famed Tsukuba Circuit for Clutch Kickback 2025, a groundbreaking motorsports festival blending drifting, music and car culture. Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Iwuji '10, USNR, NASCAR driver, joined Cameron Hurd '20, founder of the Clutch Kickback Motor Series, for the Tokyo-based event featuring over 100 drivers and 70 showcase cars. Their reunion symbolized shared purpose, representation and global connection. Read more about this milestone in the January/February issue of Shipmate magazine. Get your Jan/Feb Shipmate issue up to two weeks earlier than the mailed edition.

A love story shrouded in mystery. During the Vietnam War, their letters vanished, lost to time and turmoil. Decades later, the truth finally surfaced, revealing a bond that even fate couldn't break. Now, 50 years later, on Friday, 31 October, Skip Thaeler '70 and his wife Kim celebrated their love on their golden anniversary. Read their full story in Shipmate or catch the sneak peek above.

From the Podcast Fleet

Season six, episode 11. The undefeated Navy Football season is over, but Sing Second still drives on. We break down the North Texas game and preview the upcoming matchup in chilly South Bend. We talk about Brandon Tseng's '08 Forrestal Lecture, the upcoming Veteran's classic and a great reunion weekend coming up for the historic Class of 1980. And our alumni interview this week dives deep in doctoring. Doctor…doctor…DOCTOR! Sean Simmons '98, Ryan Checchi '09 and Jake Cole '12 took untraditional routes out of USNA and ended up as practicing doctors in the Navy. The Medical Corps isn't talked about enough as a critical part of our Navy and Marine Corps. Sean, Ryan and Jake introduce us to an untraditional community with some truly amazing alums making a difference. That and more on the very best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army...always.

Listen on

We took a brief hiatus with this episode to dig into a current event. This past Spring, after officials at the Naval Academy removed a display of Jewish women graduates from the Jewish Midshipman Center, Shannon and Carrie sat down to talk with our 1998 classmate, Misty Hechinger '98, about the incident as well as being a Jewish woman at USNA and in the Fleet. This wide-ranging discussion touched on the challenges of being a dual minority, leading a diverse force, and what we can do to support midshipmen, young officers and each other moving forward.

Navy women's basketball is the preseason favorite to capture the Patriot League championship. We talk to head coach Tim Taylor about how far the program has come under his direction. We also interview standout guard Zanai Barnett-Gay, the preseason Player of the Year in the Patriot League. Also, Mike James of the Navy Football Radio Network joins to review the North Texas game and preview the Notre Dame matchup.

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Nov. 3, 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.

Former Vice President and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney has died at 84. Cheney led the Pentagon during the Gulf War, helped shape post-9/11 defense policy, and addressed the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2006, praising the service of those commissioning into the Navy and Marine Corps. His leadership and dedication to national defense reflect the same values instilled at the Naval Academy of duty, readiness and service.

A government shutdown cuts into cyber defenses that protect military and naval operations. With more than half the staff at Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency furloughed, mission-critical threat monitoring and patching slow down. Adversaries know when defenders are idle and exploit windows in our networks. At sea on naval vessels or ashore at shore commands the risk rises when cyber teams aren't fully staffed. A lapse in cyber readiness equals a vulnerability for our force and national security.

Local, Education & other academy news

Embark on a memorable journey from the famous church at Sainte-Mère-Église to Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc. Along the way, also discover the medieval treasures of Normandy in Bayeux and Rouen, then conclude in Paris to learn about the tragedies under occupation and triumphs after liberation. Discover the lesser known stories of France, and experience this country in a new way. Even if you have been to France before, this tour promises to uncover history you've not yet learned!

Forums for chapters, SIGs, and parent clubs, a new Health Services forum with resources, recurring membership options, a global event map, advanced email tracking, travel stories from USNA Alumni Travel and fresh branding are all available. Alumni are already connecting, sharing and discovering new opportunities. If you're not on myUSNA, you are missing out. Login today and join the conversations with fellow alumni and your classmates. Plus, don't forget to sign-up for the Beat Army Fluegel Alumni Center Watch Party here in Annapolis if you want to network and watch the game with fellow Navy fans. It's all happening on myusna.com right now. See you there!

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

The Navy men's rugby game against Air Force, scheduled for Saturday, 8 November at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis, has been canceled. Navy now shifts its focus toward the team's fall finale at Army on Saturday, 15 November in the annual Star Game between the two programs.

Men's Soccer at American - L 3-1

Women's Basketball - UConn vs. Louisville - UConn W 79-66

USNA and AA&F Events

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, FAC

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

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

 

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