Navy beats Notre Dame

No, seriously, this IS newsworthy. Congratulations to the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy on ending a 44 year losing streak to Notre Dame. I saw a lot of changes over my 25 years in the Navy. However, there was always one constant you could depend on - Navy losing to Notre Dame every November. Being a good Irish Catholic boy I've rooted for the Fighting Irish (except when playing Ohio State) all my life, but I've grown tired of hearing how Navy hasn't beat them since Roger Staubach was the Navy quarterback. So, I'm glad the Navy was able to end that streak at 43 losses. Notre Dame has to really regret rushing to give Charlie Weiss a ten year contract after having moderate success during his first season at the helm. Charlie is sitting on a very hot seat about now. Why'd they fire Tyrone Willingham, again? Willingham beat Navy each year during his tenure. Heck, even during the dark days of the Gerry Faust era Notre Dame never lost to Navy.

An American Hero Passes On

Retired Navy Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey passed on this week. Fluckey was the most aggressive and successful submarine commander during WW II. His boat, USS Barb (SS-220), was credited with the most tonnage sunk during World War II: 85 ships including a carrier, cruiser, and frigate. Here is a short account of the events which earned the BARB the nickname "The Sub That Sank a Train:"

In one of the stranger incidents in the war, Fluckey sent a landing party ashore to set demolition charges on a coastal railway line, which destroyed a 16-car train. This was the sole landing by U.S. military forces on the Japanese home islands during World War II.

Rest in Peace Admiral, the watch has been relieved.