Howard H. J. Benson

Howard Hartwell James Benson (October 8, 1888 – January 28, 1975) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Commodore. A son of Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral William S. Benson, he distinguished himself as commanding officer of the destroyer during World War I and received the Navy Cross, the U.S. Navy's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

Early career

Howard H. J. Benson was born on October 8, 1888, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of future four-star Admiral William S. Benson and Mary Augusta Wyse. He graduated from the local high school in May 1905 and then received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While at the academy, Benson was active in football and also held a title in the Interclass Sailing Championship. He was nicknamed "Benny" by his classmates.

Benson graduated as passed midshipman with a Bachelor of Science degree on June 4, 1909, and was assigned to the battleship under the command of Medal of Honor recipient, Captain Frank F. Fletcher. He then participated in the Atlantic Fleet maneuvers and gunnery training off the Virginia Capes and another exercise off Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The Vermont then crossed the Atlantic and visited several western European ports including Gravesend, England and Brest, France. Upon his return stateside in early 1911, Benson was commissioned ensign on June 5, after serving two years at sea, then required by law.

Benson was subsequently ordered to Miami, Florida, where he assumed duty as Chief of Staff to the Commandant Seventh Naval District and the Commander Gulf Sea Frontier. He served consecutively under Vice Admirals James L. Kauffman, William R. Munroe and Walter S. Anderson and supervised the complex operational and administrative functions of his command during the anti U-boat campaign. Benson also held temporary command of Gulf Sea Frontier during the change of commands periods and was promoted to commodore on November 27, 1944.