St. Joseph Native Retires as Navy Captain After 27 Years of Service

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A St. Joseph native has retired from the United States Navy after 27 years of service, concluding a career that included leadership roles tied to some of the Navy’s most advanced ships.

Capt. Hannah A. Kriewaldt formally retired after relinquishing command of the Supervisor of

Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Newport News, known as SUPSHIP Newport News, in Virginia.

The command oversees the construction, modernization and delivery of the Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, representing billions of dollars in shipbuilding programs.

During a change-of-command ceremony, Kriewaldt read her official detachment orders before transferring command to Capt. Michael A. Sammataro.

Kriewaldt left St. Joseph in the summer of 1995 to attend the United States Naval Academy. She graduated from the academy in 1999 and later earned a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Throughout her Navy career, Kriewaldt held several major leadership positions.

She served as Chief Engineer aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and later directed post-delivery testing and trials for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the lead ship in the Navy’s newest class of aircraft carriers.

Kriewaldt commanded SUPSHIP Newport News from 2022 through 2026, leading more than 600 Navy civilian and military personnel responsible for overseeing critical shipbuilding and national defense programs.

Her retirement ceremony also included the presentation of her second Legion of Merit, recognizing her service and accomplishments.

Kriewaldt marked the next chapter of her life with the theme “Family & Future: A New Voyage,” as she transitions from military service to retirement with her daughters.