A native of Smithtown, New York, Rear Adm. Hewitt enlisted in the United States Navy in 1987 and deployed aboard USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Forrestal (CV 59) as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launch & Recovery). He received his commission in 1995 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Program and was designated an E-2 Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer in 1997. Hewitt graduated with distinction from New York Maritime College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Business and Commerce and earned a U.S. Merchant Marine Third Officer’s License. He is a graduate of both the United States Naval War College, where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, and the Joint Forces Staff College.
At sea, he has served with the VAW-117 Wallbangers, Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 2, the VAW-112 Golden Hawks, and was the Executive and Commanding Officer of the VAW-126 Seahawks, where he saw the squadron awarded the 2013 Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Battle Efficiency Award. Hewitt also commanded the VAW-120 Greyhawks Fleet Replacement Squadron. He has accumulated 2,500 flight hours, 450 arrested landings, and 62 combat missions in the E-2 Hawkeye and is a graduate of the E-2 Weapons School. Hewitt has deployed worldwide aboard numerous aircraft carriers and supported Operations Southern Watch, Desert Fox, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
Ashore he has served with VAW-120 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor, with U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Joint Deployment Training Center, with the Joint Staff J-7’s Deployable Training Division, as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Oceana, as the Chief of Staff for Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, and as the Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff to Commander, Navy Installations Command. He began serving as Commander, Navy Region Southeast in May 2024.
Hewitt’s decorations include three Battle Efficiency Awards, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and numerous other individual and unit awards. Hewitt is also authorized to wear the French Republic National Defense Medal (Médaille de la Défense nationale).
Last Updated: 23 May 2024