Coast Guard Academy Lacrosse

BEARS - OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO (DHS): just got these awesome photos featuring COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE program 'Old Bear' and prior Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator CDR Patrick Ryan Powers, CGA '08 (Defense/Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) doing his thing at the highest levels of the U.S. Government while attached to the Department of Homeland Security staff in Washington, D.C.

Patrick sends:
"Incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have spent the past two years working at the Department of Homeland Security on three separate Presidential initiatives. First, as the Department's Chief of Staff in connection with the Independent Review of the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of then former President Donald J. Trump. Second, as the Designated Federal Officer for the President's Council to Assess FEMA. Third, as the Deputy Executive Director for the White House Task Force on the FIFA Word Cup 2026. Thank you to Mr. Mike Miron and the world class DHS staff for supporting me through each of these critical initiatives!"

Patrick earned orders to take command of USCGC TAHOMA - a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Newport, RI this summer. By the way, 'Old Bear' LT Ryland Chapman, CGA '19 (Defense/Hampstead, MD/North Carroll) just got orders to be Patrick's Engineering Officer aboard TAHOMA.

Awesome stuff Patrick - excited for your next chapter. - GO BEARS!!!

BEARS RESPECT SERVICE & SACRIFICE: 82 years ago this morning the amphibious assault on Normandy began...The LCVP Coxswain...

"The handling of these small craft in the surf is a specialized skill, and it was not common among men in the Navy. Not so for men in the Coast Guard. Many of the coxswains had learned this skill from handling boats in the surf at lifesaving stations. In fact, Coast Guard coxswains from lifesaving stations were the most seasoned smallboat handlers in government service. As only experienced men could successfully maneuver landing craft through strong currents, reefs, sand bars and heavy surf, their contributions to amphibious operations is immeasurable.

This experience was particularly important during the training exercises before the early amphibious operations. The Coast Guard's surfmen acted as mentors to the Navy coxswains trying to learn the nuances of controlling smallboats in the surf. During the early part of the war several thousand Coast Guard and Navy men were trained to handle landing craft."

Coast Guard Heroes at Normandy - selected combat award citations of Coast Guardsmen decorated for valor under fire during the Normandy Invasion: https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/Award-Recipients/Coast-Guard-Heroes-at-Normandy/

BEARS RESPECT SERVICE AND SACRIFICE: The Great Crusade begins...82 years ago this morning... 🇺🇸

When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrows these gave their today.
—John Maxwell Edmonds, 1944

82 years ago this morning the amphibious assault on Normandy began...attached is one of the most reproduced photographs to come out of June 6, 1944 – D-Day. The photograph was captured by Coast Guard Chief Photographer’s Mate Robert F. Sargent, and entitled “Into the Jaws of Death.” Sargent, a veteran of the invasions of Sicily and Salerno, took the photo from his Coast Guard-manned landing craft at sector “Easy Red” of Omaha Beach around 7:40 a.m. local time.

The opening scenes depicted in Saving Private Ryan were to the west of this point - and depicted the deadliest sectors of Omaha Beach - CHARLIE and DOG GREEN.

The original caption read: “Into the Jaws of Death: Down the ramp of a Coast Guard landing barge Yankee soldiers storm toward the beach-sweeping fire of N**i defenders in the D-Day invasion of the French coast. Troops ahead may be seen lying flat under the deadly machine gun resistance of the Germans. Soon the N**is were driven back under the overwhelming invasion forces thrown in from Coast Guard and Navy amphibious craft.”

- GO BEARS!!!

BEARS GRADUATE (ANCHORAGE): just saw these great shots featuring COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE program 'Old Bear' LCDR Sam Krakower, CGA '15 (Attack/Lumberton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) graduating from the University of Alaska - Anchorage to complete his Coast Guard-sponsored graduate school program in Arctic Security - he is also part of the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies’ Arctic Fellowship Program. The mission of the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies’ Arctic Fellowship Program is to cultivate "Arctic-literate" military and civilian leaders and develope warfighters who understand the North on its own terms.

Sam sends:
"Last week, I wrapped up my time in Alaska by graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Master of Science in Arctic Security and completing my Fellowship with the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies. Nothing short of an exceptional two years that allowed me to delve deep into Arctic strategy, policy, and operations. The Arctic matters more than ever. Taking these newfound skills and knowledge to the preeminent American surface presence in the region will be a privilege as I head back to an icebreaker as Operations Officer aboard CGC STORIS. Alaska, be back soon!"

STORIS is the first icebreaker to enter U.S. military service in over two decades. This medium icebreaker, boasting a length of 360 feet and a displacement of nearly 13,000 tons, is a formidable vessel. Equipped with four diesel engines generating 22,500 horsepower, STORIS can navigate through three feet of ice at five knots, adding crucial capabilities to the Coast Guard's Arctic operations. STORIS is currently homeported in Seattle, WA with plans to move to Juneau, AK in the 2029 timeframe when shoreside facilities and crew housing are ready.

I always say it - Coast Guard-sponsored graduate school meaning they pay of your tuition and fees...AND pay you your salary while you attend school...all in return for some extra obligated service - it's a pretty good deal.

Great stuff Sam - excited for your next step! - GO BEARS!!!

BEARS PROMOTE (NEW LONDON): just got these great photos featuring COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE program newly-minted 'Old Bear' and newly-minted ENS Evan Granahan, CGA '26 (Defense/Aldie, VA/John Champe) pinning on Cadet 2/c Tobias Perkins' (Attack/Windham, ME/Windham) newly earned collar devices during an impromptu promotion ceremony on Washington Parade Ground following the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

The jump from Cadet 3/c (sophomore) to Cadet 2/c junior year at Service Academies represents a monumental shift from follower to leader. At this critical milestone, students sign a binding commitment that legally obligates them to future military service or steep financial repayment. They also transition into vital leadership roles, moving away from being managed to actively training and disciplining the freshman class. Academically, the curriculum intensifies with major-specific courses, while summer responsibilities shift to running basic training for incoming cadets.

This informal ceremony bridges collegiate athletics and military tradition by celebrating the transition into upperclassman leadership. Having a newly graduated Ensign preside honors a deep bond forged through shared grit and hard work on the lacrosse field. It transforms a standard cadet milestone into a powerful moment of personal mentorship and mutual respect. This unique setup reinforces the tight-knit camaraderie and cycle of accountability vital to the Coast Guard Academy Men's Lacrosse culture.

Evan graduated and was commissioned last Wednesday - he is headed to serve as a Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC FORWARD - a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, VA. Tobias was convalescing an injury at the Academy but was just cleared. He recently returned from the coastal sail training program and will head to Air Station Elizabeth City, NC for his Cadet Aviation Training Program or CATP, and then will serve as cadre for AIM.

Awesome stuff - congratulations to Granny and Tobias! - GO BEARS!!!

BEARS PROMOTE (NEW YORK HARBOR): just got these great shots featuring COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE program 'Old Bear' newly minted LT Paul Mamay, CGA '22 (Defense/Merrick, NY/Calhoun) getting his new O-3 shoulder boards 'installed' by his family aboard USCGC BONITO - an 87-foot coastal patrol boat homeported in Highlands, NJ - at anchor in New York Harbor. Wow - what a backdrop for a promotion ceremony. Paul is assigned as the Commanding Officer of USCGCG BONITO.

Paul has had an interesting career - he started aboard USCGC CAMPBELL - a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Newport, RI. Then headed to the CENTCOM AOR for a one year tour overseas aboard USCGC CLARENCE SUTFIN, JR - a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter homeported in Manama, Bahrain before taking command of BONITO last summer.

Looking good Paul - congratulations on the promotion! Who else has 'Old Bear' promotion, Mentor Program or Cadet Summer Training photos? Please send 'em! - GO BEARS!!!

'OLD BEAR' MENTOR PROGRAM (KODIAK): ok, we can't really take credit for planning this one - it was sort of impromptu...but I was stoked to get this photo featuring COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE player Cadet 1/c Jack Elgas (Midfield/San Diego, CA/St. Augustine) with my good friend and CGA '94 classmate retired CAPT Steve White and his son Cadet 1/c Lucas White (football) at a local restaurant in Kodiak, AK. Steve was in town to visit his son and took Jack out as well. Thank you Steve!

Jack is assigned to USCGC EARL CUNNINGHAM^^^ - a 154-foot fast response cutter homeported in Kodiak, AK for his Cadet Summer Training Program. Lucas is assigned to Air Station Kodiak, AK for Phase 1 of his summer training and will be transferring to USCGC ALEX HALEY - a 283-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Kodiak - for Phase 2 of his training.

Steve is what I would call the consumate 'Alaska Operator' - he served in the 'Last Frontier' for almost his entire career. Steve currently serves as the Executive Director of the Alaska Marine Exchange in Juneau, AK after serving 31 years in the Coast Guard. His last assignment was Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for Southeast Alaska. Steve served 7 tours throughout Alaska including assignments to 4 ships, 2 of which he served as the Commanding Officer. I can't think of a better Coast Guard Officer to teach Jack about Coast Guard operations in Alaska - and he's also just a great guy.

This is what the 'Old Bear' Mentor Program is all about - linking 'Old Bears' and current players to build relationships and broaden the brotherhood. A little fun, camaraderie, networking and professional development.

Who else has 'Old Bear' Mentor photos? Please SEND 'EM! - GO BEARS!!!

^^^ = Petty Officer 2nd Class Earl Cunningham, enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1928 and was appointed as a surfman. On February 8, 1936, Cunningham volunteered to rescue two ice fishermen that were trapped in the water on Lake Michigan. Cunningham was able to reach them on his skiff and pulled them out of the water. However, adverse weather conditions prevented them from returning to shore.

Three days later, one of the fishermen walked 9 miles across the ice onto shore to safety. The other died trying to make it across the ice with him. Cunningham had died and was found on February 12, frozen in place, still manning the oars of the rescue skiff.

For his ultimate sacrifice, Cunningham was awarded the Gold Life Saving Metal posthumously. He was survived by his wife Helen and three sons.

Cunningham had also previously served in the Army and fought in the trenches of France during World War I, leaving the service as a corporal to eventually join the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard archives state "Citation not available", but provided this synopsis.

Date of Award: April 28, 1936

Around 2:30 PM on 8 February 1936, the surfman on lookout duty at US Coast Guard Station, Charlevoix (MI) reported that a strip of ice about three miles long had broken away from shore. Upon this floating ice were five fishermen. A complement of Coast Guardsmen proceeded with a skiff which had runners attached to a point where it could be launched from the ice banks. Then MOMM1 Quentin R. Duhm set out to the rescue. He reached the ice floe and took three fishermen into the skiff and returned with them to solid ice.

BM2 Earl Cunningham (deceased) then proceeded with the skiff to rescue the other two fishermen. By this time the floe had moved farther away from shore with the wind. This made the second trip far more dangerous. Cunningham succeeded in getting the two fishermen into the skiff, but he was unable to make any headway due to the increased wind and sea.

A 19-foot dinghy, which was much heavier than the skiff, was finally launched but the men in charge, BM1 George Kelderhouse, MOMM1 Duhm, and Surfman William P. Woods, were unable on account of the severe snowstorm and sub-zero weather to reach the skiff. When they returned to land early the next morning, Wood’s feet were badly frozen. Although all the men were in frozen condition, an effort was made to launch the power lifeboat, but before doing so the channel had to be blasted with dynamite. The boat was at last launched and another unsuccessful effort was made to locate the skiff. When the crew was completely exhausted, they returned to land about 6:00 PM on 9 February.

On 10 February, around 4:30 PM, one of the two remaining fishermen on the lee floe managed to get ashore at Goodheart, MI following which a third unsuccessful effort was made to rescue Cunningham and the other fisherman. Around 12:30 on 12 February, both men were found, after first having located them by plane, frozen to death. They were frozen solid. Cunningham’s body was in the position of one who was still attempting to handle the boat. # # #

'OLD BEAR' MENTOR PROGRAM (MONTEREY): just got this great photo featuring COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE program 'Old Bear' LCDR Paul Junghans, CGA ‘11 (Defense/Damascus, MD/The Heights School) with Cadet 3/c Aiden Kundel (Midfield-FOGO/Barnstable, MA/Barnstable) out in front of Small Boat Station Monterey, CA.

Paul sends:
"Good afternoon sir! I just got back from lunch with Cadet 3/c Aiden Kundel and Cadet 3/c Owen Corkery (Track and Field - was interested in aviation) at Station Monterey. Aiden seems like a great guy, so does Owen. I enjoyed getting to know them a bit. They're set up really well at the station, Aiden said it feels like a resort haha. They just got comms watchstander qualified. We're going to meet up again before they leave on June 11th."

Aiden is assigned to Small Boat Station Monterey, CA for Phase 1 of his Cadet Summer Training and will sail aboard USCGC EAGLE - America's Tallship - for Phase 2 from 14 June to 24 July 2026.

Paul is a career Coast Guard Aviator but he is currently assigned to Coast Guard sponsored graduate school program in Human Systems Integration (HSI) at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, CA. Paul is departing for a job at CGHQ in Washington, D.C. in December 2026.

This is what the 'Old Bear' Mentor Program is all about - linking 'Old Bears' and current players to build relationships and broaden the brotherhood. A little fun, camaraderie, networking and professional development.

Who else has 'Old Bear' Mentor photos? Please SEND 'EM! - GO BEARS!!!

TODAY IN COAST GUARD MEN’S LACROSSE HISTORY - 28 MAY 2021 (sorry I missed this a few days ago): On Friday , 28 May 2021 the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) announced the 2021 Dynamic Division III All-Americans. The list included COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE 'Old Bear' ENS Will Iorio, CGA '21 (Attack/Weaverville, NC/Christ School) and current player Cadet 2/c Caleb Holdridge (Attack/Waterford, CT/Waterford) - both earned Honorable Mention selection at Attack.

Will had graduated, earned his commission and reported to USCGC CAMPBELL - a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Kittery, ME. He led the NEWMAC with 17 assists, was second with 31 points and he was third in the conference and second on the team with 14 goals. A four-year starter, Iorio finished his career second all-time at the academy with 81 assists, he was tied for third all-time with 153 points and his 72 career goals rank him fifth (including two COVID-19 shortened seasons). Caleb has just completed his 3/c year and was in New London for most of his Cadet Summer Training Program. He was the just the second Coast Guard player to earn NEWMAC Athlete of the Year honors as Riley McNulty won the award in 2019. He led the NEWMAC with 27 goals and 34 points this season. Holdridge was second on the team with seven assists and third on the team with 14 ground balls.

Will is now assigned to PACTACLET (Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team) in San Diego, CA - a Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) unit. PACTACLET provides highly trained Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) to conduct maritime interdiction, counter-narcotics, counter-proliferation, and anti-piracy operations globally.

Caleb is a newly-minted MH-60T helicopter co-pilot at Air Station Clearwater, FL.

Congratulations to Will and Caleb.

We always say it - tremendous TEAM efforts result in outstanding individual accolades. Great stuff. - GO BEARS!!!

BEAR RECOGNIZED: just saw this great post from the Florida American Legion Boys State recognizing COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE player Cadet 1/c Harrison Holland (Midfield-FOGO/Ocala, FL/Trinity Catholic):

The post reads:
"Harrison Holland (‘22) answered the call to serve. During his time at Boys State, Harrison demonstrated his leadership abilities as the proud mayor of Davison City. Now a 2/c Cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy, he is preparing to defend our nation on the water. Beyond the classroom, Harrison is a dual-sport athlete, representing the Academy on both the football and lacrosse teams.

Reflecting on his experience, Harrison shared: “Boys State had an impact on me from both a social and technical standpoint. Socially, interacting with people from different cultures and regions of the state prepared me for the USCGA, where I’ve built friendships with people from places I never expected. Technically, my understanding of governmental processes helps me navigate the world of government funding and military doctrine.”

Harrison carries forward the proud tradition of Boys State alumni who have chosen a path of service and help sustain 250 years of American excellence.

" # # #

Awesome stuff Harrison!Q - GO BEARS!!!