A Phoenix native just received some high praise from the U.S. Navy this week.
Alexis Zweygardt, a 2014 graduate of Glendale’s Independence High, was named Sailor of the Quarter for the USS Charleston, a littoral combat ship.

Ms. Zweygardt is responsible for maintenance, repairs on seven diesel engines, two gas turbines and all shipboard engineering equipment.

She has been in the Navy for six years and originally joined because of the opportunities in education and to carry on the family tradition of service.

”I grew up around family members that not only have served, but that were actively serving when I was joining,” said Ms. Zweygardt in a press release.

“My uncle CWO4 (Retired) Larry S. Lorenz put me in the Navy and reenlisted me for an additional six years in 2018. Having the (continued) support from my family (helps) me succeed in the United States Navy.”

According to Navy officials, littoral combat ships are a fast, agile, mission-focused-platform designed for operation in near-shore environments but are capable of open-ocean operation.

USS Charleston is the sixth U.S. Navy ship to be named after the city of Charleston, South Carolina.