Henry Kent Hewitt | |
|---|---|
 Admiral H. Kent Hewittc. 1945 | |
| Born | (1887-02-11)February 11, 1887 Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | September 15, 1972(1972-09-15) (aged 85) Middlebury, Vermont, U.S. |
| Buried | United States Naval Academy Cemetery (Section 2 Lot 209) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1906–1949 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
| Commands | United States Naval Forces Europe United States Eighth Fleet Amphibious Force,Atlantic Fleet Special Service Squadron USS Indianapolis USS Cummings USS Eagle |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
Henry Kent Hewitt (February 11, 1887 – September 15, 1972)[1] was theUnited States Navy commander of amphibious operations in North Africa and southern Europe through World War II. He was born inHackensack,New Jersey and graduated from theUnited States Naval Academy in 1907. His classmates includedPatrick N. L. Bellinger,Willis W. Bradley,Robert C. Giffen,Jonas H. Ingram,George M. Courts,Claud A. Jones, andRaymond A. Spruance.[2]
Hewitt served aboardUSS Missouri in theGreat White Fleet's circumnavigation of the globe from 1907–1909. His sea duty continued as a division officer aboardUSS Connecticut and executive officer of the destroyerUSS Flusser. In 1913 he was promoted to lieutenant, married Floride Louise Hunt (1887–1973), and began three years of shore duty as a Naval Academy mathematics instructor. He returned to sea in 1916 commanding the yachtEagle in the Caribbean. Hewitt was awarded theNavy Cross commanding the destroyerUSS Cummings escorting Atlantic convoys duringWorld War I. His citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Henry Kent Hewitt, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CUMMINGS, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters, and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I.[1]
Hewitt was an instructor of electrical engineering and physics at the Naval Academy from 1919 to 1921 before returning to sea as gunnery officer aboardUSS Pennsylvania. After spending three years at theNaval War College inNewport, Rhode Island, he commanded Destroyer Division Twelve with the battle fleet from 1931 to 1933. He then chaired the Naval Academy mathematics department for three years while the Naval Academy developed theKeuffel & Esser Log Log Trigslide rule.[3] He returned to sea commanding the cruiserUSS Indianapolis and transported PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt to the Pan-American Conference atBuenos Aires following the 1936 elections.[4]
%2c_circa_in_November_1942_(80-G-30116).jpg)
Hewitt was promoted to rear admiral in 1939, and commanded Atlantic Fleet Task Groups in neutrality patrols and convoys from 1941 until becoming Commander, Amphibious Force,Atlantic Fleet, in April 1942. This force, also called Task Force 34, became the U.S. component of theOperation Torch landings in November 1942. Hewitt was then assigned asCommander, U.S. Naval Forces, Northwest Africa Waters or COMNAVNAW. His flagships includedUSS Augusta while he commanded American naval forces at theNaval Battle of Casablanca,[5]Monrovia while he commanded the western task force during theinvasion of Sicily, andAncon while he commanded all Allied amphibious forces during theinvasion of Italy[6] and laterAnzio landings andinvasion of southern France.
Hewitt was awarded both the Army and Navy Distinguished Service Medals for his part in the invasion of North Africa. TheNavy Distinguished Service Medal citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt (NSN: 0–5819), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Commander of the United States Naval Forces which escorted and supported the United States Army Forces in successful landings and occupation of certain objectives in French Morocco from 7 November 1942 to 15 November 1942. By his careful and exhaustive planning and his able and efficient conduct of escort and coverage of United States Army landing forces, Rear Admiral Hewitt contributed greatly to the successful accomplishment of one of three major objectives in the occupation of North Africa.[1]
TheArmy Distinguished Service Medal citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt (NSN: 0–5819), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. Admiral Hewitt, in his capacity as Commander of the Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet, and of Naval Task Force No. THIRTY-FOUR (34), with the highest type of skill and leadership, conducted his large fleet from the United States to the shores of French Morocco, through waters infested with hostile submarines, without loss. Through his care, foresight, and leadership, the forces he transported were landed 8 November 1942 on a hostile and unknown shore, during hours of darkness, in a heavy sea, at the proper time and places. In subsequent tactical action he handled his forces so as to prevent interference by hostile naval units with the landing of our forces as planned. His services contributed in marked degree to the success of the enterprise.[1]
_-_Henry_Kent_Hewitt.png)
Hewitt was awarded a second Navy Cross for his part in the invasion of Italy. The citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Admiral [then Vice Admiral] Henry Kent Hewitt (NSN: 0–5819), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Western Naval Task Force, in action against enemy German forces during the invasion of Salerno, in September 1943. In command of more than 600 Allied Men-O'-War, ships and large landing craft responsible for the safe sea borne movements of the AlliedFIFTH Army to the Gulf of Salerno, Admiral Hewitt brought them skillfully through mined approach courses and developed a sea frontier length of approximately fifty miles despite limited maneuvering space. As the second wave of our landing boats reached the shore, strong German armored elements, deployed along selected beaches, launched heavy counterattacks. They raked the sands where our troops were trying to dig in, tanks rolled out of the valley and charged; hostile artillery continually shelled ships in the anchorage; enemy air forces attacked with high and low-level bombings, dive-bombing and strafing, and withradio-controlled and rocket-glider bombs. The entire operation was in jeopardy. Aware of the narrow margin of success, Admiral Hewitt went ashore. He made a personal reconnaissance of the situation and learned of the peril in flat coastal plains where Allied formations were enveloped in two small detached areas pounded by artillery fire from rugged high ground inland, and requested immediate air and sea reinforcements. With his Flagship marked for destruction by the German Command and pursued as a vital target, he shifted his Flag to a less important unit. His long-range Naval guns blasted enemy formations without respite. German penetration was sealed off and rendered an immobile target for heavy strikes by Allied bombers, thus insuring the success of the Salerno Campaign. By his courage, initiative and inspiring leadership under fire, Admiral Hewitt upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[1]
Hewitt was awarded a second Army Distinguished Service Medal for his part in the invasion of southern France. The citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt (NSN: 0–5819), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. As Naval Commander, Western Naval Task Force, from 13 August to 27 September 1944, Admiral Hewitt was responsible for all Naval activities in connection with the invasion of southern France. Displaying great technical skill, efficiency and a broad knowledge of the tremendous task entrusted to him, he coordinated all Naval activities of both United States and Allied Forces involved in the operation. His wide professional experience, sound judgment and energy were of the greatest service in executing combined operations. His forces engaged in amphibious offensive operations with marked effectiveness and made an invaluable contribution to the success of the invasion of southern France. His initiative and tact enlisted the enthusiastic cooperation of all forces under his command.[1]
Hewitt was awarded a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal as commander of theUnited States Eighth Fleet for the last two years of the war. The citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt (NSN: 0–5819), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the EIGHTH Fleet during the period from 1943 to 1945. Operating jointly with the forces of the United States Army, the forces under Vice Admiral Hewitt's command executed a successful landing on hostile shores. The meticulous planning and sound tactical knowledge which were essential to the accomplishment of a particularly strategic mission reflect great credit upon Vice Admiral Hewitt and the United States Naval Service.[1]
Hewitt remained in this post until 1945, when he chaired aPearl Harbor investigation. Following World War II, he commanded U.S. Naval Forces Europe, advised theNaval War College, and served as a Navy representative to theUnited Nations. Hewitt retired from active duty toOrwell, Vermont in 1949. and died atMiddlebury, Vermont in 1972.[4]USS Hewitt was named in his honor.
Hewitt was married to the former Floride Hunt until his death. They had two daughters.[7]
  | Navy Cross with one goldaward star |
 | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one goldaward star |
  | Army Distinguished Service Medal with oneoak leaf cluster |
 | Navy Expeditionary Medal |
 | Dominican Campaign Medal |
  | World War I Victory Medal with one bronzeservice star |
 | American Defense Service Medal with Atlantic "A" device |
 | American Campaign Medal |
 | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronzeservice stars |
 | World War II Victory Medal |
 | Knight Commander of theOrder of the Bath (United Kingdom) |
 | Legion of Honor, rank of Grand Officer (France) |
_-_ribbon_bar.png) | Croix de Guerre, 1939–45 with one bronze Palm device (France) |
 | Order of the Southern Cross, degree of Commander (Brazil) |
 | Grand Cross of theOrder of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands) |
 | Order of Kutuzov (1st class) (Soviet Union) |
There is a display of Admiral Hewitt's orders, decorations and medals at theUnited States Naval War College Museum inNewport, Rhode Island.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
