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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Admiral William S. Benson, USN (1855-1932) --
First Chief of Naval Operations, 11 May 1915 - 25 September 1919

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.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

15 January 2000