Today, we salute Navy Veteran Don Walsh. Don graduated from the Naval Academy in 1954. His service saw him serve in the first amphibious forces and later on submarine duty aboard the USS Rasher, USS Sea Fox and USS Bugara, eventually commanding the USS Bashaw. While stationed in San Diego in 1958, he volunteered for a pioneering deep-dive program, becoming U.S. Navy Submersible Pilot No. 1 — a decision that would define his place in history. In 1960, Don became one of the first humans to reach Challenger Deep, the deepest known point in the ocean at 36,000 feet. Don died in 2023 at the age of 92, but his historic legacy will live on because it was announced at a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy that a new explorer class of ship will be named after him. Here’s to the USNS Don Walsh and to Don, thank you for your service.