Nov 17 Daily Shipmate

Monday, 17 November 2025

1917 - A lookout on board the destroyer Fanning (DD-37) operating off Ireland spots the periscope of the German U-boat U-58, prompting Lieutenant Arthur S. Carpender to commence a depth charge attack. Fanning is joined by the destroyer Nicholson (DD-52) just as the submarine comes to the surface with its crew flooding out of the hatches to surrender. The men are rescued before U-58 goes under, the only U- boat sunk by U.S. Navy destroyers during World War I. Ironically, Fanning's first wartime action was the October 1916 rescue of seamen from a ship sunk in the waters off Nantucket, Massachusetts, by U-58.

 

1981 - LTjg Carey Arthur '79, USN was lost when his S-3A Viking crashed short of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) approximately 70 miles northwest of Sicily. He was a member of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 24. Carey was raised in Wayne, New Jersey; in high school he was co-captain of the wrestling team and president of the Ecology Club. He was also an Eagle Scout. At the Naval Academy he was active in sailing, and at graduation he was awarded the Frederick L. Sawyer Prize for outstanding achievement in the study of economics. Carey was designated a naval flight officer in 1980. His first tour was with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 21 at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. In August 1981 he was assigned to VS-24. Carey was survived by his parents, and brother.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The Alumni Association & Foundation was honored to welcome Michael Taylor '86 and his family to the Fluegel Alumni Center Friday evening to officially dedicate the Taylor Family Event Wing. AA&F leadership and invited guests joined the Taylors in officially dedicating the event wing space at the FAC. In February, AA&F announced a $15 million gift from Taylor, a gift that will establish an endowment for academic excellence at USNA, ensuring long-term investment in current and future educational programs. Additionally, the contribution will provide essential support for AA&F daily operations in the event wing spaces, ensuring its critical role as a home for alumni and community engagement for generations to come. Since officially opening in September 2023, the FAC event spaces have hosted more than 300 events to include reunions, weddings, class events, corporate offsites and significant engagements with the community like the annual Annapolis St. Patrick's Day Hoolie and the Cal Ripken Foundation annual gala. The Taylor Family Event Wing will continue to welcome alumni and friends and will stand as a testament to the Taylor family's legacy.

Each year, midshipmen from 6th Company decorate the tree with paper angel ornaments which contain the age and gift wish list of a child in need from the greater Annapolis area. The midshipmen, as well as faculty and staff, are encouraged to take an angel from the tree and purchase a holiday gift for the child the ornament represents. Many of the wish lists include items like electronics, musical instruments, bicycles, winter clothes and footwear. The angels with the children's names and gift suggestions are provided by the Salvation Army. Each child is from a household where their parents or guardians do not have the extra income to provide holiday gifts. The unwrapped donations will be placed under the Giving Tree and the Salvation Army will collect, wrap, and distribute the gifts to the children.

The Council of Class Presidents (COCP) will meet today at the Fluegel Alumni Center. COCP provides class presidents with a forum to discuss issues and initiatives of common interest to the classes. Additionally, COCP facilitates dialogue between the class presidents and U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation (USNA AA&F) officials. During today's meeting, the COCP will receive briefings from USNA Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte '91, USMC; Dr. Samara L. Firebaugh, Academic Dean and Provost; Athletic Director Michael Kelly and AA&F President and CEO Jeff Webb '95. VADM John B. Nowell Jr. '84, USN (Ret.), President & CEO, USN Memorial and RADM Ray Spicer '79, USN (Ret.), CEO and Publisher, U.S. Naval Institute will also brief the group. COCP meets twice annually in support of the scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees, or as required.

CAPT Brian Schrum '96, USN turned over as commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with CAPT Will Mathis '00, USN during a change of command ceremony held on the ship's flight deck, 23 October. VADM Daniel Cheever, commander, Naval Air Forces, was the guest speaker at the ceremony and praised the achievements of Theodore Roosevelt and its crew under Schrum's leadership. During the ceremony, Cheever presented Schrum the Legion of Merit for his outstanding performance since taking over as Theodore Roosevelt's commanding officer in October 2022. Schrum is a native of Fond du Lac, Wis., and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996. Mathis hails from Houston, Texas, and is a graduate of the Naval Academy Class of 2000 Schrum heads to Commander, Naval Air Forces for his next tour.

Of the 11 operational Aircraft Carriers in the Navy, all but one have at least the CO or the XO as USNA alums. Four Carriers boast BOTH the CO and XO as USNA alums:

 

Nimitz (CVN 68) - CO - CAPT Joseph J. Furco '99

Ike (CVN 69) - CO - CAPT Shane T. Marchesi '98; XO - CAPT Michael R. Marks '03

Vinson (CVN 70) - CO - CAPT Joshua F. Wenker '99

TR (CVN 71) - CO - CAPT Will Mathis '00; XO - CAPT Michael S. Silver '03

Lincoln (CVN 72) - CO - CAPT Daniel J. Keeler '98

GW (CVN 73) - XO - CAPT Patrick E. Blind '03

Stennis (CVN 74) - CO - CAPT J. Patrick Thompson '97

HST (CVN 75) - No alums

Reagan (CVN 76) - CO - CAPT Dale Gregory Jr. '97; XO - CAPT Harry C. Evans III '03

GHWB (CVN 77) - CO - CAPT Robert Bibeau '97; XO - CAPT Nicholas A. Willet '02

Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) - XO - CAPT Christopher "Frozone" Williams '01

PCU JFK (CVN 79) - No alums

Government & Military News

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, led by the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), transited the Anegada Passage and entered the Caribbean Sea, 16 November. The maritime forces' operations in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility come after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed the Carrier Strike Group to support the President's directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland. "Through unwavering commitment and the precise use of our forces, we stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region,” said ADM Alvin Holsey, Commander, SOUTHCOM. “The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group's deployment represents a critical step in reinforcing our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.”

U.S. 7th Fleet held a change of command ceremony 13 November at the Fleet Theater on board Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. VADM Patrick J. Hannifin relieved VADM Fred W. Kacher '90, USN becoming the 55th commander of the world's largest forward-deployed naval force, U.S. 7th Fleet. “I'm deeply proud of our U.S. 7th Fleet ships, aircraft, and Sailors who operate forward to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Kacher. “Our goal at U.S. 7th Fleet is that this One Team is so prepared, so ready, that every day our potential adversaries look out at what we do and how we do it and conclude, 'today is not the day'.” Under Kacher's leadership, U.S. 7th Fleet executed more than 460 operations and exercises to maintain maritime security and deter adversary aggression in the region.

Local, Education & other academy news

We're excited to introduce the Alumni Gallery, now live on Canto, the official content hub for the USNA Alumni Association and Foundation. This gallery is your go-to destination for event photos—a curated collection where alumni can browse, relive memories and download the images they want. The gallery launches with photos from this fall's events, and as more gatherings take place, additional collections will be added—creating an ever-growing archive of alumni moments.

Miami Dolphins long snapper Joe Cardona '15 is seeing his team find its rhythm after 11 seasons in the NFL, including recent standout performances against top-tier opponents. The Naval Academy graduate joined the Dolphins this season after spending previous years as an opponent at Hard Rock Stadium. Cardona said the transition has been exciting as the team continues to develop. "I have a lot of familiarity with the team. I played a lot of games here as an opponent and it's been you know we've had to develop as a team thus far but overall it's been an exciting transition for me," Cardona said. As a military academy graduate from a Navy family, Cardona appreciates how the NFL honors service members. He said playing professional football allows him to bridge two important worlds in his life.

Five students at U.S. military academies and three each from Yale University, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are among the 32 U.S. winners named Sunday as 2026 Rhodes scholars. The group includes students focused on housing, health outcomes, sustainability and prison reentry programs. Named after British imperialist and benefactor Cecil John Rhodes, the scholarship was established at Oxford in 1903. The program has more than 8,000 alumni, many of whom have pursued careers in government, education, the arts and social justice.

The Service Academy Career Conference (SACC) is your chance to connect with top employers, graduate schools and fellow Service Academy grads—all in one place. Whether you're actively job hunting, exploring advanced education or simply networking, SACC opens doors to opportunities you don't want to miss. Register now!

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Senior snipe Eli Heidenreich caught five passes for 146 yards and became Navy's all-time receiving yards leader, backup quarterback junior Braxton Woodson ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter in relief of senior Blake Horvath (21 carries, 68 yards; 8-15 passing for 147 yards and one touchdown) and the Midshipmen defeated No. 25 South Florida 41-38 on Saturday. Senior fullback Alex Tecza carried 12 times for 126 yards, including an early 76-yard score, and caught Horvath's lone touchdown pass as Navy (8-2, 6-1 American Athletic Conference) secured at least a half-game lead in the conference. Heidenreich has 1,794 career receiving yards and moved past Rob Taylor's 1,736, compiled from 1965-67.

The top-ranked Navy men's rugby team (6-0, 5-0 Rugby East) scored 14 points in the final 10 minutes and completed a stunning comeback with a walk-off try to defeat fifth-ranked Army (7-2, 4-2 Rugby East), 21-16, on Saturday afternoon at the Anderson Rugby Complex in West Point, N.Y. The game was part of the overall Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA, with the men's rugby and sprint football wins on Saturday helping the Midshipmen even up the 2024-25 all-sport series at 4-4-1 against the Black Knights. "We knew the team that was able to show the most composure to the very end would win and we did just that," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "I am so proud of our young warriors. Beat Army!"

Women's Cross Country at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional - 12th place

Men's Cross Country at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional - 5th Place

Men's Basketball vs Washington (Md.) - W 97 - 64

Men's Squash vs Texas - W 9-0

 

Men's Squash vs Richmond - W 8-0

Rifle vs Akron - W 4739 - 4691

Men's Squash vs Duke - W 9-0

Football vs USF - W 41-38

Wrestling at No. 21 North Carolina - L 20-18

Women's Volleyball at Colgate - L 3-1

Men's Squash vs Washington and Lee - W 7-0

 

Intercollegiate Sailing at ICSA Match Race Championship - NTS

Women's Basketball vs Florida - Annapolis, Md. - W 69 - 54

 

Army - Navy Star Series: Tied 4-4-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's outdoor. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country, Sprint Football, Men's Rugby. Tie - Women's Soccer)

 

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

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