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News & Events

News, Events & More


Vietnam – Legacy of Valor
Posted: 7/14/2025

Shipmate has been running a series of features commemorating the service and sacrifice of U.S. Naval Academy alumni who served in the Vietnam War. Click HERE for the third part of the series. This segment addresses the Marines fighting two different wars depending on their location in the country.

Importantly, for the Class of ’66, it also describes the Navy Cross citation of John Roland (28th Company). See p. 21 in footer of document.


Warships gathered in Virginia Beach for Atlantic Alliance 2025

While it’s not rare to see large ships floating near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a large-scale military exercise  brought more than 8,000 servicemembers and several warships to the coast of Virginia Beach

Allies from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom joined U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command for Atlantic Alliance 2025. The exercise included 8,500 sailors, Marines, and allied personnel across more than 25 units.

During the exercise, service members rehearsed and refined U.S. Navy and Marine Corps amphibious capabilities along the coastline from North Carolina to Maine.

The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) is anchored off the coast of Ft. Story, June 28, 2025, during Atlantic Alliance 2025.

For more information on the exercise, Click HERE.


Kathy Prout’s NBC Interview Advocating for Gold Star Spouses
Posted: 7/7/2025

Jay Prout’s (1st Company) widow, Kathy, was recently interviewed by NBC when she was on Capitol Hill with Gold Star Spouses of America (GSSA). Kathy is on the Board of Directors of this important organization that advocates for the 500,000 surviving spouses and children of veterans who lost their lives while in service with the Armed Forces of the United States.

Click HERE for a link to the interview.


What is USNA doing to prepare grads for challenges ahead?
Posted: 6/30/2025

At the United States Naval Academy, the next generation of military leaders is preparing for a world increasingly shaped by great power competition. The Academy’s Stockdale Center recently introduced a 6-part film series focusing on Great Power Competition. Each episode is between 15-30 minutes in length and highlights important work being done across the Yard to answer the question “What is the Naval Academy doing to best prepare our graduates for the challenges ahead?”

2025 Video Series: The Great Power Competition


VADM Clapperton to speak at 9 July Class Lunch
Posted: 6/27/2025

Vice Adm. Craig A. “Clap” Clapperton,  Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. TENTH Fleet / Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Navy), has agreed to be our Guest Speaker at our Wednesday, 9 July 2025 Class Luncheon at The Fleet Reserve Club in Annapolis, MD.

VADM Clapperton’s Bio is attached for your review.

VADM Clapperton has a very interesting background. He is a 1989 graduate of Pennsylvania State University and became a Naval Flight Officer in 1991. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College, and he completed the Navy Nuclear Power Training Program in 2010. His commands include the Shadowhawks of VAQ-141, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and Carrier Strike Group TWELVE, and the U. S. Sixth Fleet. He assumed command of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet in August 2022.

The Luncheon will begin at 1130, buffet lunch at 1200, and our Guest Speaker at about 1230. Cost of the luncheon will be $45 per person. Wives, Widows and Guests are most Welcome to join us. Contact Mike Baird by Thursday 3 July at pmbaird@verizon.net if you plan to attend. As always, should you be able to attend at the last minute, please come as there is always room for one more!


Save the Date for USS GONZALEZ Awards
Posted: 6/11/2025

Tuesday and Wednesday 16 and 17 September 2025

Class ’66 USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) Leadership Awards Ceremony and Evening Before Gathering.

From Charlie Votava (17th Company), POC for the Tidewater/Norfolk area. 

  • Tuesday evening, 16 September: there will be a ’66 gathering of Classmates, spouses, widows and SO’s.
  • Wednesday, 17 September: Leadership Awards Ceremony where we are normally invited to coffee, introductions and conversation prior to the ceremony with CO, XO, CMC and sometimes the DESRON Commander, followed by lunch with the officers and the two members of the crew receiving the awards.
  • Click HERE for more information on the Class of ’66 Leadership Awards.
  • No later than mid-July I will be asking for commitments to attend both the ceremony and the evening gathering to get a handle on who will attend which or both events.

CONSIDERATION: Please keep in mind mobility issues. Those attending the onboard ceremony will have to navigate two levels of interior ships’ ladders plus a third ladder to/from the fantail as well as ascending/descending the brow to/from the Quarterdeck.


Columbarium Update June 2025

The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Columbarium – the final resting place for many USNA graduates and their spouses since opening in 1987 – is now out of available niches.

  • USNA AA&F, in close partnership with the Naval Academy, is actively working on plans to expand the Columbarium. This Columbarium expansion project aims to ensure that those who wish to be inurned at the Academy will again eventually be able to do so. Their immediate plan involves the construction of a new 650 niche wall at the top of the hill, overlooking College Creek.
  • Project estimated at $2.5 million. $1 million has been raised with $1.5 million needed in additional philanthropic support for it to move forward.
  • Click HERE for letter from Steve Comiskey ’69, Chair, USNA Council of Class Presidents, for a situation update as of 22 May 2025.
  • Click HERE for Information Slide Deck presented to Class Presidents May 2025.
  • AA/F General Fund #: 65590002: Columbarium Maintenance & Expansion Fund. POC: Bill Hebert ’82 Director, Class Legacy Programs bill.hebert@usna.com 410-295-4146


’66 Ladies Celebrate 5th Anniversary
Posted: 5/27/2025

Last Wednesday, May 20th, the Class of 1966 “Band of Sisters” had its 183rd session and celebrated five years together! Above are 2 screenshots (note they are slightly different) featuring 19 ladies in total.

For more details including music and an announcement of the upcoming Summer Reading List discussion, Click HERE.


’25 GONZALEZ Leadership Awards Scheduled for 17 Sept
Posted: 5/12/2025

The 2025 Leadership Awards for USS GONZALEZ will be presented on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, on board GONZALEZ in Norfolk, VA. Al Konetzni (36th Company) will represent the Class and make the presentations. Consistent with previous award presentations, the ceremony will begin at 1100 with lunch in the Wardroom after the ceremony.

’66 Classmates are encouraged to attend as the CO and the entire Crew display the utmost courtesy and hospitality to members of The Class during our visit to GONZALEZ.

Charlie Votava (17th Company) is the POC for the Tidewater/Norfolk area. Please contact him or Chuck Grutzius (33rd Company) with any questions.

For more information on The Class of 1966 Leadership Awards, Click HERE.


’66 “Class Ship” Performs Exceptionally Well
Posted: 4/28/2025

NORFOLK, VA. (Apr 18, 2025) – While underway in March 2025, USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) hosted Capt Edward J. Pledger, Commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 during the final days of a month-long underway to present Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAMS) alongside Gonzalez’ Commanding Officer, Cmdr Katrina Stegner, and witness Sailors being pinned for Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS).

During the 25-day underway, Gonzalez participated in a series of high-level operations including USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)’s Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT), Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), and Exercise Nautical Twilight involving the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. Gonzalez performed exceptionally throughout, prompting the Commodore’s visit to witness the crew’s performance firsthand and to celebrate their accomplishments. Click HERE to read more.

The Class of 1966 established a leadership award in 1996 to recognize heroism and tied it to the USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66), a ship with our class number. This award provided an opportunity to maintain a tangible class tie to the fleet as classmates attrited. Click HERE for more on the Class of 1966 awards. 


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