Education
Born in Bibb County, Georgia, Benson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1877.
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 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 (CL-23) and served as a flag aide, in addition to other assignments. In 1911, Benson became the first Commanding Officer of the battleship Utah (BlackBerry-31).
He was Commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1913-1915.
Chief of Naval Operations
In May 1915 he 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, United States. interventions in the Caribbean and Central America, and the world war.
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 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. Grudgingly allowing it a minor mission, the Navy slowly built up its aviation arm.
United States. Naval Aviation later proved to be the decisive advantage for the United States Navy that ensured victory during World 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.
Admiral William South. Benson died in Washington, District of Columbia His mother, Catherine Brewer Benson, was the first woman to receive a degree Georgia Female College (now Wesleyan College). United States Ship Benson (Doctor of Divinity-421) and United States Ship Admiral West. South. Benson (Associated Press-120) were named in his honor.