Clear the Deck

First Salute

The first salute for a newly commissioned Navy officer is a special memory for Naval Academy graduates often made in the moments after the traditional graduation cover toss. For others, it’s a chance to create a lasting link with a friend or connect the circle of service with a family member. Alumni shared some of their first-salute memories with Shipmate. Here is a sampling:

“My first salute was with Midshipmen Austin A. Cusumano ’23 and André Nahal-Cuadrado ’21. Austin is a member of the karate team that I captained, while André is a squash player at the Academy. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were not allowed to do the usual first salute at NavyMarine Corps Memorial Stadium. Instead, we met up along the L.I.C. Piers located in Queens, NY. We had the iconic New York City skyline as our backdrop to our first salutes. Being in our whites and saluting is definitely something unfamiliar in our hometown environment. I would not have changed the circumstances or opportunity that allowed me to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am thankful and honored to have them be my first salute.” —Ensign Christopher M. Adames ’20, USN “My first salute and silver dollar went to a Navy admiral. After his enlisted service, he graduated from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1920. He was an aviator, captain of two aircraft carriers during World War II and received two Navy Crosses. He told me that even though he and his son, Lieutenant Colonel Stanley J. Michael Jr. ’54, USMC, had graduated from the Academy, I should be very clear of my goals ... after which he said, “I’m not sure you could make it.” Did I mention that admiral was my father? It was pointed out to me years later that I had been hustled by my father, Rear Admiral Stanley J. Michael, USN (Ret.), Class of 1920. I graduated higher in my class, better than either of them academically, athletically and in conduct.” —Robert D. Michael ’59 “My first salute was with Army Ranger E3 Chris Murray, and although he is reaching special forces status in another service branch on the opposite side of the country, our unbreakable bond deeply rooted in childhood friendship always seems to bring us back together. Through thick and thin we have always relied on each other’s different perspectives and I look forward to serving with him as a service brother in the close future.” —Ensign Cameron H. Hurd ’20, USN “My first salute was with Corporal Jack Galvin, USMC, because, when we were growing up, we always talked about joining the Marine Corps. He is my cousin and we are the same age. From the time we were 7 years old, we talked about the Marine Corps. This was especially interesting in light of the fact that we grew up during the Vietnam War. Jack enlisted right out of high school. I had the great opportunity to attend the Naval Academy. He was leaving the Marine Corps as I was being commissioned into the Corps. To me, it was much like the handing of cake at the Marine Corps Ball, handing tradition from one Marine to another.” —Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence F. Henigan ’85, USMCR (Ret.) “I received my commission from the Naval Academy on 5 June 1968. My dad, Chief Warrant Officer George Watson, Medical Service Corps, USN—a veteran of Guadalcanal and the Korean War—rendered me my first salute. On that day, I could brag that between my Dad and I we had more than 30 years service in the U.S. Navy.” —Commander Jerry C. Watson ’68, USN (Ret.) “I’m a NAPSter. While at NAPS, we found out fast that we could make some good cash when the Officer Candidate School graduated a class. We would line up outside the graduation ceremony and clean up! They handed out dollar bills to anyone who saluted them on their first day of commissioning. I kept one of those dollar bills I received from a new ensign. It had been passed down from officer candidate to officer candidate for a few years with each holder adding their name and class number—there were about two dozen names on the bill when I got it. So I brought that dollar bill to the Naval Academy. Many a night it was the last dollar in my wallet. Never spent it. When I graduated, a member of the Class of ’87 was my first salute. I gave him a silver dollar plus the dollar bill. I told him the story of where it came from. I hope he kept the tradition going.” —Commander Christopher M. Hickey ’86, USNR “My first salute was returning my father’s salute to me. Aviation Electrician’s Mate John J. Vuolo, USNR, gave me my first salute along with the silver dollar he got when I was born. A World War II veteran, he has long since passed.” —Captain John F. Vuolo ’77, USN (Ret.) ®

ENS Christopher M. Adames ’20, USN, used the New York City skyline as the backdrop for his first salute with midshipmen Austin A. Cusumano ’23 and André Nahal-Cuadrado ’21.

Looking ahead: What did your sponsor family mean to you? Please send responses (200-word maximum) to Managing Editor Jimmy DeButts at: jimmy.debutts@usna.com.

Submissions have been edited for length and Shipmate style.

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