Captain Henry M. Roenke IV, a native of Geneva, New York, began his naval career at the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. He is a 2023 graduate of the United States Naval War College, earning a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He assumed the duties as the Commanding Officer of Naval Station Newport, RI on July 28, 2023.
Prior to his duties as Commanding Officer, Roenke served as the Deputy Commodore, Submarine Squadron Two and the Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic Type Commander Representative to Portsmouth Shipyard. Roenke previously served as the Commanding Officer of Pre-Commissioning Unit Vermont (SSN 792) from October 2016 to March 2020.
As a junior officer, Roenke served aboard USS CHEYENNE (SSN 773) from June 2000 until June 2003. During this tour, the ship conducted two Western Pacific and Central Command deployments. During the last of these deployments, USS CHEYENNE became the first warship to launch Tomahawk missiles in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
From October 2005 until November 2007, he served as Engineer Officer on USS HONOLULU (SSN 718). During this tour, he completed his third Western Pacific Deployment. The final year of this tour was spent inactivating and recycling USS HONOLULU at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Roenke served as the Executive Officer of USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737) (BLUE) from May 2010 to May 2012.
Previous shore duty assignments have included Military Assistant to the Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy, duty as the Sensitive Reconnaissance Operations Officer for United States Strategic Command, Joint Functional Component Command – Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (USSTRATCOM JFCC-ISR) and service on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force.
Roenke’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 28 July 2023