Background
Behrens, William Wohlsen was born on June 6, 1898 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Henry Conrad and Anna Dorothy (Wohlsen) Behrens.
Behrens, William Wohlsen was born on June 6, 1898 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Henry Conrad and Anna Dorothy (Wohlsen) Behrens.
Educated University of Pennsylvania, Temple University. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Franklin and Marshall College, 1943.
Commissioned ensign, United States Naval Reserve, 1918, advanced through grades to rear admiral United States Navy, 1945. Commanded Submarine Chaser Northern 26, 1919-1920. Served in the United States ships Quincy, Ramapo and Conner, 1920-1922.
Duty at Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island, 1922.
In United States Ship Bruce, 1923-1924, United States Ship Whitney, 1924-1926. In charge Naval Exhibit Afloat, Sesquicentennial Exposition, Philadelphia, 1926.
Service in United States Ship Wyoming, 1927. Duty at Receiving Barracks, Philadelphia, 1927-1928.
Executive officer in the United States ships Mahan and Lansdale, 1928-1931, Wyoming, 1931, Claxton, 1931-1932.
Commanded United States Ship Iuka, 1932. Aide to commandant 4th Naval District, Philadelphia, 1932-1934. Assistant First lieutenant, United States Ship Minneapolis, 1934-1935.
Service in United States Ship Henderson, 1935-1936.
Commanded United States Ship Southard, 1936-1937. Aide to commandant, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, 1937-1939.
Commander United States.S, Cimarron, 1939-1940. Executive officer United States Ship Concord, during Pearl Harbor Attack and subsequent duty in Pacific, 1940-1942.
Duty with Bureau Naval Personnel, Navy Department, Washington, 1942-1943.
Commander United States Ship Houston, 1943-1945. Commander Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland., 1945-1948. In charge Bureau Engineering and Construction, Commonwealth Pennsylvania.
Deputy secretary commerce Pennsylvania, secretary commerce.
Mason.; Member Pennsylvania Society. Clubs: Army-Navy Country (Washington).
Married Nellie V. Vasey, October 22, 1921. Children: William West. Junior.