Official daily newsletter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
Thursday, 13 November 2025
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Today in Navy, Marine Corps
and USNA Memorial Hall History
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1942 - The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal begins in the darkness just after midnight when two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, and eight destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan engage Japanese warships under the command of Vice Admiral Hiroaki Abe.
1980 - MAJ David Baker '67, USMC was lost when the helicopter he was aboard crashed near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. At the Naval Academy David was involved in Brigade Boxing, directed the Masqueraders as a 2/c, and was double-majoring in both Economics and Mechanical Engineering. After The Basic School, he entered flight training and ultimately flew the CH-46 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. He was stationed at the Helicopter Test Facility when he was killed. He was survived by his wife and three children.
1982 - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, containing the names of more than 13,000 Marines who lost their lives in Vietnam, was dedicated on this date at the Memorial site in Washington, D.C. The dedication and parade that preceded it were part of a week-long National Salute to Vietnam Veterans.
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Academy & Graduate happenings
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Final Annapolis Election 2025 Results: USNA Alum Thorp Wins Annapolis Alderman Seat
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The Annapolis 4 November election results were certified Wednesday after the final mail-in and provisional ballots were tallied. The Democrats retained the mayor's office and all eight city council seats. Hardware store owner, attorney and engineer Jared Littmann (D) defeated consultant Robert "Bobby" O'Shea (R) in the mayoral election. With 74% of the vote to O'Shea's 26%, Littmann will succeed outgoing Mayor Gavin Buckley (D), who was term-bound and could not run again. In Ward 8 (Eastport), Frank Thorp '81 (D) tallied 1,128 to Will Cunha's '11 (Unaffiliated) 648.
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Athletic Director Michael Kelly Talks Navy-South Florida Football
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Saturday's important American Conference matchup between Navy and South Florida could be called the "Michael Kelly Bowl." That's because the Navy first-year athletic director spent the previous seven years in the same position at USF. Kelly provides insight on how he helped build the South Florida football program and talks about the matchup. We also talk to Navy men's cross country coach Aaron Lanzel about capturing the Patriot League Championship.
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Government & Military News
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President Signs Funding Bill to End Historic Government Shutdown
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President Trump signed a funding bill Wednesday night that officially ended a 43-day government shutdown. The measure, approved by both the House and Senate, restores federal operations through 30 January while lawmakers continue discussions on long-term funding. The agreement allows government agencies to reopen, ensuring federal workers can return to their duties and receive back pay. The bill provides short-term stability for essential programs and services while broader budget negotiations continue to secure ongoing government operations and prevent future disruptions.
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Draft Continuing Resolution to Reopen the Government Includes $1B for Navy Shipbuilding
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A draft continuing resolution aimed at reopening the federal government includes $1 billion for Navy shipbuilding to sustain key programs during ongoing budget negotiations. The measure would provide funding for critical ship construction projects to prevent disruptions across naval shipyards and maintain the industrial base. Lawmakers emphasized the importance of keeping Navy programs on track while broader spending agreements are finalized. The resolution reflects bipartisan support for ensuring military readiness and stability for shipbuilding operations during the temporary funding period.
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Pentagon Wants 'Calculated' Risk Culture in Weapons Buying Revamp
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The Pentagon wants its overhauled cadre of executives in charge of major acquisition programs to have enough flexibility and power to take calculated risks and focus on delivering new weapons speedily. As part of the sweeping reform to the military's acquisition processes that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled Friday, the Pentagon plans to transform program executive officers into “portfolio acquisition executives.” Those executives, who will oversee major weapons system programs, are meant to have more authority to shift course when they feel it is necessary. “We intend to [give portfolio acquisition executives] greater flexibility when it comes to reallocating resources and trading requirements, in order to … [deliver] a system at speed and on time,” Michael Duffey, the Defense Department's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, said in a call with reporters Monday.
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Local, Education & other academy news
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Announcing Our 2025 Beat Army Button Design Winner!
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Congratulations to Eydn Bryce, our 2025 Beat Army Watch Party and Tailgate Button Design winner! Bryce is an Arizona native now living in Connecticut. Her younger brother is a third class midshipman at the Naval Academy and the first in their family to attend. She studied at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and The University of Arizona. Her winning design celebrates Bill the Goat, inspired by her love of art and animals and includes a nod to the Blue Angels in honor of her pilot dad. The button will be available for everyone who registers for our Beat Army Tailgate and our Beat Army Watch Party. Go Navy! Beat Army!
At this time, the buttons will not be available for purchase and can only be obtained at the Tailgate and Watch Party. If that changes, we will let you know here in Daily Shipmate.
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West Point's Army-Navy Uniform Honors the Soldiers of the Continental Army
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If you've never heard of a soldier armed with an “espontoon,” that might be because there's only one in the entire U.S. Army, and it's held for strictly ceremonial use in the service's most hallowed infantry unit. But the little-known ceremonial weapon will be front and center for next month's Army-Navy game, depicted on the top of the football helmets that players from the U.S. Military Academy will wear in their annual showdown with the U.S. Naval Academy. The espontoon blade will be among the most prominent of several hidden-in-plain-sight details included on the uniforms worn by West Point's football team, which the school made public on Wednesday.
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Anne Arundel County Food Bank Drive to Thrive
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The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation is collecting food donations from 17–28 November to support the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Alumni, staff, and friends are invited to drop off items in the Fluegel Alumni Center lobby at 301 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402. Your contributions will help provide healthy, nourishing options for local families in need this holiday season. Ideal donations include:
- Shelf-stable milk (including oat or nut)
- Whole-grain pasta, rice, oatmeal, and cereal
- Canned tuna or chicken, beans, nuts, and seeds
- Canned or dried fruit and vegetables (low sodium, no added sugar)
- Low-sodium soups and stews, healthy snack bars, and cooking oils
Baby and senior products such as formula, diapers, wipes, nutritional shakes, and feminine hygiene items are also needed. Please avoid glass containers and oversized cans. See page two for all recommended items.
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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results
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Navy Announces Change in Men's Soccer Leadership
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The Navy men's soccer program will see a change in leadership as Tim O'Donohue will not return for his 11th season. The United States Naval Academy announced it will begin a national search for his replacement. Athletic Director Michael Kelly thanked O'Donohue for his dedication to the program and expressed confidence in finding a new coach who will continue the program's strong tradition and lead the Midshipmen toward future championship success.
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Women's Basketball vs Longwood - W 74 - 66
Today's Matchups: None
Army - Navy Star Series: Army leads 4-2-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's outdoor. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country. Tie - Women's Soccer)
Remaining Star Matchups
15 Nov - Sprint Football - West Point - 1:00 p.m.
15 Nov - Men's Rugby - West Point - 5:00 p.m.
6 Dec - M. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon
6 Dec - W. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon
13 Dec - Football - Baltimore, Md. - 3:00 p.m.
7 Feb - Rifle - West Point - 9:00 a.m.
7 Feb - Gymnastics - Annapolis - 2:00 p.m.
7 Feb - M. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA
7 Feb - W. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA
20 Feb - Wrestling - Annapolis - 7:30 p.m. - 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 - M. Lacrosse - West Point
TBA - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis
TBA - M. Tennis - Annapolis
TBA - W. Tennis - Annapolis
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NOVEMBER
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
20 Nov - Naval Academy Service Assignment Notification
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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