NOW HEAR THIS!!
This page provides useful information that is transitory in nature. It will be revised from time-to-time as the Class, National, and World Situation dictates. Suggestions/recommendations for items to be posted should be sent to the Class Webmeister. Contributions are both sought and welcome.
This page last up-dated on 6/15/2026
Kudos To Our Own Nick Lambert!!
Our Veep Sends!!
Our tenth Distinguished 1957 Naval Heritage Chair occupant, Dr. Nick Lambert has recently been named a Griffin Fellow by the Hoover Institute of Stanford University. This is a prestigious fellowship for historians, and we congratulate Nick on this honor.
I went to CoPilot AI to learn about Griffin Fellows and here is what it fed back
What is a Griffin Fellow at the Hoover Institution?
A Griffin Fellow is a scholar selected for the Hoover Institution’s Applied History Working Group. Their job is to:
* Conduct high‑quality historical research
* Apply that research to real‑world policy issues
* Produce a Hoover Applied History Working Paper
* Present their findings in Washington, D.C.
The program exists because policymakers often use history — but not always well — and Hoover wants to improve the quality of historical thinking in public policy.
Who are the current Griffin Fellows?
According to Hoover’s official listing, the inaugural Griffin Fellows include:
• Tyler Goodspeed
Chief Economist of ExxonMobil; former Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers; PhDs from Cambridge and Harvard.
• Nick Lambert
Historian of globalization and warfare; previously at Oxford, Yale, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
• Joseph Ledford
Hoover Fellow and Assistant Director of the Hoover History Lab; incoming professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
• Chris Miller
Professor at Tufts University; author and expert on semiconductors and geopolitics.
(Additional fellows appear in the full announcement.)
In short:
A Griffin Fellow is a historian‑policy scholar chosen by Hoover to bridge the gap between history and public policy, producing research that helps leaders make better decisions.
To Nick: All very interesting and a great tribute to you! Can you share what paper you expect to produce? Or will it be classified?
Obituaries Are Missing!!
Your Webmeister has become aware that we are losing Classmates (and Spouses) and neither we nor Ms Woodbury at the Alumni Association are finding obituaries for them. Traditionally, obituaries are developed for the local newspaper and then used as the basis for our Web Site as well as for Shipmate. Ms Woodbury suggests that rising costs at newspapers might be driving folks away from formal obituaries. That being a possibility I believe that we still need to pay our last respects to fallen Classmates through both this web site and Shipmate. So I ask that those of us surviving please do what you can to help grieving families with obituaries that meet the criteria for Shipmate and share the lives and careers of our Classmates.
Hell Explained!!
BY A CHEMISTRY STUDENT
The following is an actual question given on a University of Arizona chemistry mid term, and an actual answer turned in by a student.
The answer by one student was so 'profound' that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well :
Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?
Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.
One student, however, wrote the following:
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving, which is unlikely.. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today.
Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.
This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.
So which is it?
If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, 'It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you,' and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct..... ....leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting 'Oh my God.'
THIS STUDENT RECEIVED AN A+.
How To Get “Daily Shipmate”
A relatively new publication from the Alumni Association is an email feature called “Daily Shipmate”. It is distributed via email on an almost daily basis. If you want to subscribe go to https://www.usna.com/ and on the right about halfway down the page is a blue box containing “Want More Shipmate?”and “Sign up for Daily Shipmate”. That will initiate the email to your Inbox!
A Plan A’Brewing!
Bill Peerenboom has raised an idea of a “micro-Class 70th reunion" on VIKING Mississippi from St Paul (14 SEPT 2027) to St Louis (21 SEPT 2027) . All it takes at this point is $25/person to secure a reservation. They go fast. Several classmates have already secured reservations and hope that others will join in. If you choose to make a reservation you can defer payments.
An Update on the Brad Parkinson Story!!
Brad Parkinson has asked that we pause pursuit of the suggestion to add his name to a building in the Yard.
Herewith his note to the Class Leadership:
“Your suggestion of building-naming really caught me by surprise. It is very humbling to think my classmates would advocate such a step. The result was my initial reaction of enthusiasm.
After contemplating it further, I have second thoughts. In my opinion we should examine this a little further.
First, I have received many awards and recognitions. I am very proud of my accomplishments and what my team achieved. So I think they were deserved, with the caveat that, perhaps my greatest skill, was assembling the team of young engineers who could pull it off despite adamant opposition by the operational Air Force. I don't think additional recognition is necessary.
Second, I do not think the Navy would view this the same way. They have already made me a DG, which I greatly cherish. Frankly, it is a tribute to some of you who persevered in advocacy. Sadly, the mainstays—Fred Howe, Bob Thoeny, and Steve Powers—are now gone. I mist up when I think about them. I think the class has done more than enough.
Third, I know that tenacity and perseverance are imbued in us. It was certainly part of our USNA training. That said, I cannot advocate your spending what would most probably be a great deal of time and energy on this quest.
So please consider not pursuing this. I'm truly honored that you would even consider it.”
Can We Have a Michelson - Parkinson Hall??
Bill Peerenboom sends on 16 March:
HI, Class Officers and others:
At the Class Luncheon last week, we voted unanimous consent to pursue the matter of adding our Distinguished Graduate, Brad Parkinson's name to a building at the Naval Academy in recognition of his contribution to worldwide navigation, time, and everyday life. Dan tasked me with doing the research to see what the "rules" for this sort of thing are and what is the process. I have attached 2 documents - one giving the background, and the next a DRAFT proposal to begin the process. In the "background" I asked questions regarding "living" or "deceased" and possible difficulty posed by the fact that Brad's service was USAF as opposed to Navy. Both matters were shown to have no negative effect.
This research was all done by "Copilot" the Microsoft AI "Answering service." It appears to be accurate, but I invite you to check it out, as I have experienced getting inaccurate information from CoPilot in the past.
This process is very much like our USNA Alumni Assn 's Distinguished Graduate Nomination process which we have done successfully 5 times and unsuccessfully a few.
This is a first DRAFT which will have to be enhanced if we wish to proceed; Here are my initial thoughts on what needs to be done and by whom:
Brad - we will want an up to date biography that you approve and any suggestions to bio and award sections
Pete - I think we should inform the class and widows (using Co Coords) that we are doing this and get affirmative support that can be reported with the proposal
All -especially Dan and Brad - can you suggest some individuals whose letter of support we can seek?
Charlie and Chris - Can you add these documents to the webpage so everyone can look them over?
Mark and Harrison - can you learn what the "USNA History Office" is (see Pg 5 of the Background paper). Is it your department?
Hope this is useful - and that we move forward on the project, so we can succeed while we are still around to enjoy the result!
Cheers and THANKS in advance for your support!
Bill
57 Class Parkinson BKGD.pdf
57 ClassParkinson Hall Proposal.pdf
This just in from the Supe!!
As might be recalled, Bill the Veep sent a copy of ’Shaking Up the World” to our new Superintendent a while back. Herewith his response:
Back-Up For Your Webmeister
Your Webmeister is pleased to report that, thanks to a suggestion by David Mitchell and Webmeister follow-up, a back-up for the care and feeding of the Class Web Site has been secured. David suggested that I see what help we might obtain from the Class of 2007, our Link in the Chain. So emails were sent back and forth and, Lo and Behold, a volunteer stepped forward to help us out. Now in the event of my disappearance for whatever reason the Web Site will continue to be managed. So, my great thanks to Chris Landis, USNA 2007 who is a permanent military Professor in the Cyber Division and has earned his Information Warfare badge.
I am honored to introduce him to the Class. The photo below shows him and our Veep at the recent History Symposium. Notice his Information Warfare insignia above his pocket along with his Surface Warfare insignia below. Does anybody recall when it was possible, if not encouraged, to qualify as both aviator and submariner? I think that Chuck Larson, ’58 might have been the last to do that. Corrections, anybody??
Hopefully, Chris will join us for lunch and our Zoom gatherings when his schedule permits. Welcome Aboard, Chris! We are happy to have you with us!
And here’s another photo of Chris from way back, receiving his “Butter Bars” at the Graduation of 2007.
Columbarium News
Bill Hebert, Director of Class Legacy Gift Programs, sends:
Shipmates,
The Alumni Association and Foundation, is pleased to announce that we have met our fundraising goal for the new Columbarium Annex, thanks to the Council of Class Presidents, to the generosity of the entire alumni community, to the Class of 1975’s original lead gift, and especially to the Class of 1969’s efforts to close the gap on the required necessary funding.
With this final fundraising step now complete for this new Columbarium annex, we can expect the contracting process to now begin with an estimated completion in the summer of 2027 of this new Columbarium annex to be built at the top of the hill just behind the current Columbarium.
While this new Columbarium annex is under construction, alumni families desiring inurnment for deceased and eligible alumni and alumni spouses should please contact USNA Memorial Affairs after the date of death to get on the waiting list for the new Columbarium annex.
Additional information is located on our webpage.
Shaking Gets Naval Institute Review
JIm Paulk sends this interesting update on what has become the Class Book. It should appear in the magazine shortly but here is an advance version. 
Reviewed by Lieutenant Commander Thomas J. Cutler, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Every sailor knows ships have personalities derived from the collective characteristics, talents, and expressions of the individuals who make up their crews. So it is with U.S. Naval Academy classes, and this entertaining and edifying book introduces the reader to the special “personality” of the Class of 1957. Shaking up the World is an eclectic assemblage of recollections from the members of that class, with stories that range from the inspirational to knee-slapping funny and much in between.
…..
In virtually every Naval Academy class there inevitably will be some admirals and generals, and some will go on to important government and corporate leadership roles. But the majority of alumni will quietly but effectively man the ramparts in times of national crisis and in relative stability, ensuring the continued safety and security of this great nation.
In the pages of this book, readers get to know many of the men who came together from across the nation in the summer of 1953 to march to the thunder of drums on Worden Field, to take transformational classes that would prepare them for the “dangers of the sea and the violence of the enemy” as described in the Sailor’s Prayer, and to form lifelong bonds that were unbreakable no matter how many nautical miles separated them and how much sand would pass through the hourglass.
From an entering class of 1,160 plebes, 848 graduated the same year Sputnik was launched and Dwight Eisenhower was president. There was not yet an Air Force Academy, although there was an Air Force, so 24 percent of the class went into that service. In the years that followed, many remained in the military while others became lawyers, doctors, politicians, and ministers.
“Shot Down Over Enemy Territory,” “The Critical Failure that Led to GPS,” “Marine Officer Escapades,” “Highline Adventure,” “Finding Thresher,” and “Flag Lieutenant Follies” are just a few of the many intriguing titles in this collection. The first story details the experiences of a classmate who became a hostage to Middle Eastern terrorists who had hijacked his civilian airliner. The last story is a harrowing account of rescue during a ferocious storm at sea. To travel through these pages is to get to know an astronaut who walked on the moon, an Auschwitz survivor, a prisoner of war, an NFL referee, and a naval attaché in Moscow.
Acknowledging the free education and privilege to serve enjoyed by Naval Academy graduates, George Bouvet, who served as a guided-missile launch officer in the Air Force before becoming a marketing director at Boeing, summed up the experiences shared in this book by asking, “I think our class represents a good return on the taxpayers’ money, don’t you?” This book answers that question definitively.
Next Generation USID Card for Retirees, Spouses, & Dependents
Military retirees are required to update their Uniformed Services Identification (USID) cards to the new Next Generation USID card by December 31, 2025. The paper-based USID cards with indefinite expiration dates will no longer be accepted after this date. The new cards are more secure and durable, incorporating features like plastic cardstock and enhanced security measures.
According to the DoD Common Access Card website, USID cards are issued to retired military and Reserve members, dependent family members of uniformed Service members, and other eligible individuals in accordance with DoD policy. It's important for military retirees/dependents/surviving spouses to know these old forms of ID will not be valid to access a military installation, and you will need issuance of the NextGen ID card. This will be true even if your old ID card has an INDEF expiration date on it - the ID will still be invalid. The deadline is 31 December 2025.
Based on this, we strongly encourage everyone with an old-style ID card to get a NextGen ID card now!
There are several ways to make an appointment to get a new ID card. (1). You can visit the RAPIDS ID Card Office Locator website to find the closest office and either call them to make an appointment or (2). schedule your own appointment using the website. https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/ To make an appointment using this site select the “ID Card Office Locator & Appointments” block. - do it now!
Doctor Tyler Pitroff’s New Book
Another of our Class of 57 Teaching and Research Fellows, Dr. Tyler Pitroff, has won a prestigious award for the book he wrote as part of his 57 Fellowship at the Academy from 2020 to 2022..
The John Lyman Book Awards are given annually by the North American Society for Oceanic History to recognise excellence in published books making a major contribution to the study and understanding of maritime and naval history. They are named after Professor John Lyman (1915–1977) of the University of North Carolina.
Maritime and Naval Science, Technology, and the Environment
Winner 2024
Tyler A. Pitrof, Too Far on a Whim: The Limits of High-Steam Propulsion in the US Navy (University of Alabama Press, 2024).
Congratulations, Tyler! You do us proud!
USNA Columbarium Reaches Capacity
USNA AA&F Announces Expansion Plans and Fundraising Effort - 1 May 2025
The U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium - a popular and honored final resting place for USNA graduates and their spouses since its 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. The expansion project aims to ensure that alumni who wish to be inurned at the Academy will have the opportunity to do so.
The immediate plan, thanks to lead philanthropic support from the Class of 1975, involves the construction of a new 650 niche wall at the top of the hill, overlooking College Creek. The design for this expansion is complete; however, the project requires $1.8 million in additional philanthropic support to move forward.
USNA AA&F is seeking other supporters to follow ‘75’s lead and consider contributing to this vital project.
"We need to raise the necessary funds to ensure that all our alumni have a dignified resting place," said AA&F Executive Director of Memorial Services, Wes Huey ‘87. "This is how we alumni take care of each other until that final bell, and we are committed to reaching our goal with the support of our community."
In addition to the immediate expansion, the AA&F and USNA staff are also planning for future phases of the Columbarium's growth. Options are being explored now, and designs will be developed for those future expansions.
“Memorial services at USNA for our alumni is an example of the partnership and synergy between the Yard and the AA&F,” said Huey, who has directed Memorial Services at the AA&F since 2023. “While the Naval Academy staff operates the Columbarium, it is the generosity of our alumni that provides for these places of final rest.”
The original Columbarium completed in 1987 was principally sponsored by the Alumni Association, including a major grant from the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation in memory of Jerauld L. Olmsted, Class of 1922. The Class of 1959 sponsored an oratory and upgrades to the Columbarium in 2004.
The Naval Academy Foundation has set up a general fund for the Columbarium expansion and is reaching out to classes to garner support.
In the interim, USNA will implement a waiting list for deceased alumni who expressed wishes to be inurned in the new annex of the Columbarium. The process for signing up for the waiting list is the same as for scheduling a Columbarium service – notify the Memorial Affairs team on the Yard when the qualified alumni or alumni spouse has passed away.
While awaiting the opening of the new annex, families are welcome to work with their local funeral homes for the arrangement of storage of remains or may choose to keep their loved ones’ remains at home.
For guidance and options on current services and bookings, please contact Joe Fagan ’89 & Chris Silva at
[email protected] or visit https://www.usna.edu/Cemetery/Arrangements.php.
1957 Participation in Vietnam
This is an update to the results of our Class Legacy Gift, The Class of 1957 Chair in Naval Heritage. Our twelfth Professor, Dr. David Winkler, taught an upper division course in Methodology of Oral History in the spring of 2020 during which time each of his 15 students interviewed one of our Classmates. These interviews were shared and, from them, his class created a book, “Voices of Vietnam”. Each chapter is written by one of the Midshipman students and describes a period of the conflict. Each Midshipman author dedicates his or her chapter to those of our classmates who died during the period of their chapter. These dedications are included in the book as well as a brief biography of each of the midshipman authors.
Here we see our own Veep, Dr. Winkler, Dr. McCarthy, and, of course, the book!!
Below is shown the collection of books published by the various Chair-Holders under the auspices of our Class with a brief description of each book.
Class Zoom Meeting Capabilities
Class Vice President Bill Peerenboom has set up a Zoom account that can be used by any member of the USNA Class of 1957. The idea came from using Zoom meetings in place of the monthly Class luncheons in the Washington D.C. area. These meetings were then extended to include up to 100 members of the class.
Three of the annual Washington Chapter meetings include speakers of interest to the entire Class of 1957. The April and September luncheons relate to The Class of 1957 Chair in Naval Heritage and at least one month in the year includes members of the USNA 22nd Company which our class supports. Members of our Link Class of 2007 are also invited to join these meetings.
Jerry Smith presently assists the conduct of the Zoom meetings and has a list of Zoom participants who regularly receive the Zoom meeting info. If you would like to be added to the Zoom list please notify [email protected].
If you desire to host a Zoom meeting using the Class of 1957 Zoom account, contact Bill Peerenboom [email protected]
Acceptable meetings include your USNA Company, your family, your local friends, talk groups, etc.
Politics, commercial ventures, etc. are to be avoided.