Nov 14 Daily Shipmate

Friday, 14 November 2025

1952 - 1LT Edward Guthrie, Jr. '51, USAF was killed in action when the B-26 bomber he was aboard was shot down over Korea. He was the navigator; the pilot was captured but the other two men aboard were also killed. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Edward attended Marion Institute in Alabama and The Citadel in South Carolina prior to entering the Naval Academy. Edward was survived by his wife, infant son, and parents; at least through September 1953 they were told he might have survived and be a prisoner of war. His son died in early 1954, aged 19 months.

 

1969 - The all-Navy crew of Apollo XII—Commanders Charles C. Conrad and Richard F. Gordon and Lieutenant Commander Alan Bean—make the second landing on the moon, with Conrad and Bean spending 31 hours on the lunar surface. (14-24 November)

Academy & Graduate happenings

We are making progress since last week, but we are still short for wreaths. Every wreath brings us closer to that goal. Each wreath is $17.00 and for every wreath purchased USNA will get $5 forward for another wreath. You need not do anything extra to accomplish this, it is automatic. Every donation, no matter the size, directly honors the fallen at USNA. One can also write a check (place MD0011 in the Memo line) and mail to: Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623. Please join us in making sure that no hero buried at the USNA Cemetery goes unremembered, your generosity helps keep this important tradition alive. If you would like to participate in the ceremony and laying of the remembrance wreaths it will take place on Friday, 12 December 2025. The ceremony and remarks start at 9:00 a.m. ET. By going to the link below you can sign-up to volunteer. Buy a wreath and support the effort at USNA below.

A Virginia Democrat who helped investigate the 6 January insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is making a comeback bid after last week's sweeping election wins as her party looks to break President Donald Trump's grip on federal power in the 2026 midterms. Former U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria '97, a military veteran who co-presented the Jan. 6 Select Committee's findings after Trump's first term, told The Associated Press she will seek the Democratic nomination in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. Her bid sets up a potential rematch with Republican Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, another military veteran who ousted her in 2022. The Hampton Roads district, racially diverse and with a notable military population, is among the several dozen nationally that will determine House control. Luria's candidacy, in particular, highlights what's at stake for Democrats' overall identity and for Trump in the final years of his second term in the White House.

Georgia Tech is celebrating the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter '47 and first lady Rosalynn Carter by renaming the university's School of Public Policy in their honor. The Georgia Board of Regents approved the naming at a meeting in April at the recommendation of Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera. University officials say they partnered with the Carter Center on the two-year naming process and that the Carters were involved and supportive of the name change.

From the Podcast Fleet

The Navy Football Podcast team looks ahead to Saturday's critical American Conference showdown against No. 25 South Florida. What the Midshipmen must do to pull the upset on Senior Day in Annapolis. We review the disappointing defeat at Notre Dame. Former Navy greats Eric Kettani and Keenan Reynolds both say there is value to playing the Fighting Irish every year.

Government & Military News

This week, Americans are coming together to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Veterans Day is particularly meaningful for me and my family. My 38 years of service in the U.S. Navy has been one of the great callings of my life. We can't say thank you enough to all those who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country. My post-military life as a university president has given me new opportunities to consider how we can turn our expressions of gratitude to America's veterans into action. We can be proud in this country of how we have supported our service members on their educational journeys. Some 1 million Americans receive GI Bill benefits, and nearly all U.S. postsecondary institutions enroll student veterans. Many campuses — like the one I lead, The Ohio State University — offer a range of services and financial aid options to meet the unique needs of military learners and their families.

Senior military officials on Wednesday presented President Trump with updated options for potential operations in Venezuela, including strikes on land, according to multiple sources familiar with the meetings at the White House. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and other senior officials briefed the president on military options for the coming days, the sources said. No final decision has been made, however, two of the sources told CBS News.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) returned to Naval Station Mayport after completing a 91-day surge deployment in the U.S. Fourth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). While assigned to Destroyer Squadron 40 (DESRON 40), the ship conducted a variety of multi-domain operations and joint training events. The crew qualified for both the U.S. Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon and the Sea Service Ribbon for its support of interagency operations while deployed. “I am incredibly proud of my entire crew aboard Jason Dunham,” said CDR Aaron Jefferson III '07, USN, USS Jason Dunham's commanding officer. “Successfully completing our surge deployment to Fourth Fleet is yet another example of their unmatched resilience and professionalism.”

Local, Education & other academy news

Commander Aaron Jefferson, III, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Leeds School of Business in 2015.

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). Selected images may also inspire a commemorative photo book in 2026, continuing the celebration of women's legacy at USNA.

Former Air Force Falcon, Paul Skenes, earned the 2025 National League Cy Young Award, as voted on and released on Wednesday night, by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). This marks the Pirates' first Cy Young Award winner in 35 years. Despite a 10-10 record for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2025 season, Skenes led starters across the league with an ERA of 1.96 and struck out 216 batters for a franchise single-season record in 187.2 innings. In 2024, Skenes was named the NL Rookie of the Year after entering the MLB as the number one overall pick by Pittsburgh in the 2023 draft and became the second Pirate to be honored as Rookie of the Year, following his electric lead-off season. Skenes was a cornerstone of Air Force baseball during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, serving as team captain in 2022 and earning Team MVP honors in back-to-back years.

On Tuesday, the Seahawks Salute to Service nominee presented by USAA, Brady Russell spent part of his off day at the Eastside Veterans Day Ceremony hosted at Sunset Hills Memorial Park Cemetery. "It was super cool," Russell said on the event. "I learned a lot. We got to hear from some super special people, like the first Gold Star Child of the Vietnam War. His dad was the first person to pass in the Vietnam War. Got to hear from him and he had some crazy stories and [was] really knowledgeable, just about the history of American wars and hearing his perspective on the military and what they do for us and how important they are is really special." Russell was born on Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, where his father Randy was stationed. His brother, Captain Tyler "Friction" Russell '18, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and currently serves as a Marine Corps Osprey pilot.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Women's Cross Country at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional - Bethlehem, Pa. - 12:00 p.m.

Men's Cross Country at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional - Bethlehem, Pa. - 1:00 p.m.

Men's Basketball vs Washington (Md.) - Annapolis, Md. - 6:00 p.m.

Men's Squash vs Texas - Charlotte, N.C. - 6:00 p.m.

Intercollegiate Sailing at ICSA Match Race Championship - Tampa, Fla. - All Day

Men's Squash vs Richmond - Charlotte, N.C. - 9:00 a.m.

Rifle vs Akron - Annapolis, Md. - 9:00 a.m.

Men's Squash vs Duke - Charlotte, N.C. - 12:00 p.m.

Football vs USF - Annapolis, Md. - 12 Noon

Wrestling at No. 21 North Carolina - Chapel Hill, N.C. - 3:00 p.m.

Women's Volleyball at Colgate - Hamilton, N.Y. - 4:00 p.m.

Men's Squash vs Washington and Lee - Charlotte, N.C. - 5:00 p.m.

 

Intercollegiate Sailing at ICSA Match Race Championship - Tampa, Fla. - All Day

Women's Basketball vs Florida - Annapolis, Md. - 1:00 p.m.

 

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

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

USNA and AA&F Events

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

 

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)

 

14 Feb - Commissioning 101, Fluegel

19 Feb - USNA Entrepreneurs event, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Fluegel