William S. Benson

William Shepherd Benson (25 September 1855 – 20 May 1932) was an admiral in the United States Navy and the first Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), holding the post throughout World War I.

For other people named William Benson, see William Benson (disambiguation).
William Shepherd Benson
Born(1855-09-25)September 25, 1855
Bibb County, Georgia, US
DiedMay 20, 1932(1932-05-20) (aged 76)
Washington, D.C., US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
(Section 3, Lot 1873-B)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1877–1919
RankAdmiral
Commands heldChief of Naval Operations
Philadelphia Navy Yard
USS Utah
USS Albany
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal
RelationsCatherine Brewer Benson (mother)
Howard H. J. Benson (son)

Early life and career

Born in Bibb County, Georgia, Benson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1877. His early years of sea duty included cruise around the world in USS Dolphin during the 1880s. He was also active in coast survey and hydrographic duties, was an instructor at the Naval Academy, commanded the cruiser Albany and served as a flag aide, in addition to other assignments.

Senior assignments

In 1909, Benson was promoted to captain and became Chief of Staff of the United States Pacific Fleet. In 1911, Benson became the first Commanding Officer of the battleship USS Utah. He was Commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1913–15.

Chief of Naval Operations

In May 1915, Benson was promoted to the rank of rear admiral and became the Navy's first Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), functionally replacing Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske, the last Aide for Naval Operations.

Benson was heavily involved in defining the functions of the new CNO position and strengthening the navy during a period marked by internal Navy Department tensions, US interventions in the Caribbean and Central America, and World War I. Promoted to the rank of admiral in 1916, his responsibilities greatly expanded when the United States entered World War I in April 1917. Over the next year and a half, he oversaw a huge expansion of the navy, the extension of its operations to European waters and the transportation of the United States Army's American Expeditionary Forces to France. After the November 1918 Armistice, he was an active participant in the lengthy peace negotiations held in France.

Aviation

In World War I the Navy explored aviation, both land-based and carrier based. However, the navy nearly abolished aviation in 1919, when Benson could not "conceive of any use the fleet will ever have for aviation," and he secretly tried to abolish the Navy's Aviation Division.[1] However, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt reversed the decision because he believed naval aviation might someday be "the principal factor" at sea with missions to bomb enemy warships, scout enemy fleets, map mine fields, and escort convoys. Grudgingly allowing it a minor mission, the navy slowly built up its aviation arm. Naval Aviation later proved to be the decisive advantage for the United States Navy that ensured victory during World War II, the duration of the Cold War, and it remains today as the centerpiece of the combat striking arms of the United States Navy.

Retirement

Benson retired from the naval service in September 1919. Over the next decade, he was active in the leadership of the United States Shipping Board. He served as the first President of the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia from 1925 to 1932.

Admiral William S. Benson died in Washington, D.C., and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 3, Lot 1873-B.[2][3]

Benson's mother, Catherine Brewer Benson, was the first woman to receive a degree from Georgia Female College (now Wesleyan College). His son, Commodore Howard H. J. Benson, also a career navy officer, received the Navy Cross and Legion of Merit.

Namesakes

Benson was named for the admiral and was the lead ship of her class, the Benson-class destroyer; Admiral W. S. Benson was also named in his honor and was the lead ship of her class, the Admiral W. S. Benson-class transport.[4]

The one-block long street named Benson Street in Charleston, South Carolina was named in his honor.[5]

References
  1. Jeffery S. Underwood, The wings of democracy: the influence of air power on the Roosevelt Administration, 1933–1941 (1991) p. 11; Underwood calls him "reactionary."
  2. Heneage 2002.
  3. Burial Detail: Benson, William S. – ANC Explorer
  4. NHHC 2015.
  5. "Sale of Lots Speedy Affair". Evening Post. Charleston, SC. March 30, 1920. p. 8.

Bibliography
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Military offices
New office Chief of Naval Operations
1915–1919		 Succeeded by
Robert E. Coontz
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