Henry Kent Hewitt

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Henry Kent Hewitt was born on 11 February 1887 in Hackensack, NJ, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906. Hewitt served on USS Missouri in the Great White Fleet's circumnavigation of the globe from 1907-09. He later taught Mathematics at the Naval Academy before commanding the yacht USS Eagle. During World War I, Hewitt commanded the destroyer USS Cummings and, years later, the cruiser USS Indianapolis.

Beginning in 1941, he commanded Atlantic Fleet Task Groups in neutrality patrols and convoys until becoming Commander, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, in April 1942. This force, also called Task Force 34, became the U.S. component of the Operation Torch landings in November 1942. Hewitt was then assigned as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Northwest Africa Waters or COMNAVNAW. His flagship was USS Augusta, when he commanded American naval forces at the Battle of Casablanca. Hewitt remained in this post until 1945, when he chaired a Pearl Harbor investigation.

He was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral on 3 April 1945.

Following World War II, he commanded U.S. Naval Forces Europe, advised the Naval War College, and served as a Navy representative to the United Nations. Hewitt retired from active duty in 1949.

Honors

The USS Hewitt was named in his honor.

Death and Burial

Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt died on 15 September 1972. He is buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD, in Section 2, Lot 209.