CAPT Stephen J. Henz

Commanding Officer, USS Robert Smalls (CG 62)

15 August 2023 Captain Stephen J. Henz is the Commanding Officer of USS ROBERT SMALLS (CG 62).

Captain Henz is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from The Ohio State University and accepted a commission through the NROTC program in 2000.  He later earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI.

Afloat, Captain Henz completed his Division Officer tours in San Diego, California aboard USS Jarrett (FFG 33) as the Training Officer and Damage Control Assistant, and aboard USS Comstock (LSD 43) as the Main Propulsion Assistant. He completed his Department Head tours as Engineer Officer aboard USS Russell (DDG 59) in Pearl Harbor, HI, and USS Hue City (CG 66) in Mayport, FL.  Following his time on HUE CITY, Captain Henz served as the Korea Plans and Exercise Officer for Commander, Task Force Seven Zero staff aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. While assigned to Task Force Seven Zero, Captain Henz was temporarily assigned as the Executive Officer aboard USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) while deployed in the Seventh Fleet AOR and her return to homeport of San Diego, CA. Captain Henz served as the Executive Officer and the Commanding Officer aboard USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93). During his sea tours he made seven deployments to the Western Pacific and the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.

Ashore, Captain Henz served on Commander U.S. Fifth Fleet staff, located in Manama, Bahrain as a Force Protection Action Officer, as a Strategic Analyst for U.S. Pacific Command J83 directorate at Camp Smith, Hawaii, and as the N3/WTI Branch Head, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Integrated Air and Missile Defense Division as well as the Deputy Director of SMWDC Surface Warfare Technical Directorate (SWTD) in Dahlgren, VA.  SMWDC SWTD is the Surface Navy’s primary authority and lead technical organization focused on future warfighting. Charged with providing technical solutions to tactical problems in the IAMD, SUW, and ASW mission areas.

His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3x), Navy Commendation Medal (3x), the Navy Achievement Medal, and numerous individual and unit awards.