William Shepherd Benson was born in Macon, Georgia, on 25 September
1855. Completion of his U.S. Naval Academy studies in 1877 was
followed by years of sea duty, including a 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 USS Albany and served as a flag aide and fleet
chief of staff, in addition to other assignments.
In 1911, Captain Benson became the first Commanding Officer
of the battleship USS Utah
(BB-31). He was Commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard in
1913-15, and from there was ordered to Washington, D.C., where
he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and became the Navy's
first Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).
Benson was heavily involved in defining the functions of the
new CNO position and strengthing the Navy during a period marked
by internal Navy Department tensions, U.S. interventions in the
Caribbean and Central America, and the European war crisis. Promoted
to the rank of Admiral in 1916, his responsibilities greatly expanded
when the United States entered the First World War 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 to France. After
the November 1918 Armistice, he was an active participant in the
lengthy peace negotiations held in France.
Admiral Benson retired from the Naval service in September
1919. Over the next decade, he was active in the leadership of
the U.S. Shipping Board. Admiral William S. Benson died in Washington,
D.C. on 20 May 1932.
This page features selected views of Admiral William S. Benson.
Photo #: NH 77665-KN (Color)
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations, 1915-1919
Portrait by Eleanor R. Beckham, 1960.
Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. Donated
by the Benson Family, 1960.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 88KB; 470 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 58904
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations
Portrait photograph, in Special Full Dress uniform, circa 1916-1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 122KB; 575 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 366
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations
Portrait photograph, taken circa 1916-1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 70KB; 505 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 58903
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations
Photograph taken circa 1916-1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 49KB; 555 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 56157
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations
At his desk , circa 1916-1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 570 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 91381
Admiral Uriel Sebree, USN,
Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet (seated, center)
With members of his staff, on board USS Tennessee (Armored
Cruiser # 10), circa early 1910.
Those present are (seated, left to right):
Captain William S. Benson, USN,
Rear Admiral Sebree,
Medical Inspector James D. Gatewood, USN
(Standing, left to right):
Major George C. Thorpe, USMC (probable identification),
Lieutenant Commander Dudley W. Knox, USN,
Lieutenant Commander Frank H. Clark, Jr., USN,
Pay Inspector Ziba W. Reynolds, USN,
Lieutenant Ralston S. Holmes, USN,
Lieutenant Frank D. McMillan, USN (probable identification),
Lieutenant Commander Leonard R. Sargeant, USN.
Note 10"/40 guns and dog.
Donated by the Pearl Harbor Naval Station Library, 1968.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 56837
Josephus Daniels,
Secretary of the Navy (left),
and
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations,
Outside the Ritz Hotel, Paris, France, circa late 1918 or early
1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 95KB; 605 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 56835
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations (left),
and
Vice Admiral William S. Sims, USN,
Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe
In Paris, France, circa late 1918 or early 1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 620 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 56833
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations (seated)
At Pruyn's Home, Lower Saranac Lake, New York, September 1918.
With him are Commander Charles Belknap, Jr., USN (left), and
Adm. Benson's Aide, Commander Worral R. Carter, USN.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 156KB; 555 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 52894
Admiral William S. Benson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations (left)
With his Aide, Commander Worrall R. Carter, USN, in front of
the Hotel Crillon, Paris, France, circa late 1918 or early 1919.
An exhibition of captured German artillery pieces is behind them.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 575 pixels |
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