Benson, William Shepherd

Benson, William Shepherd

(1855–1932) naval officer; born in Bibb County, Ga. During a long naval career (1877–1929) he served as chief of staff of the Pacific Fleet (1909–10), and as the first chief of naval operations (1915–19). He published The Merchant Marine (1923) and was the first president of the National Council of Catholic Men.