Howard H. J. Benson

Howard Hartwell James Benson
Commodore Howard H. J. Benson, USN
Born(1888-10-08)October 8, 1888
Baltimore, Maryland, US
DiedJanuary 28, 1975(1975-01-28) (aged 86)
Greenbelt, Maryland, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1909–1946
Rank Commodore
CommandsGulf Sea Frontier
USS Washington
USS Tennessee
USS Holland
Battles / warsWorld War I
Nicaraguan Campaign
World War II
AwardsNavy Cross
Legion of Merit
RelationsADM William S. Benson (father)

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 USS Roe during World War I and received the Navy Cross, the U.S. Navy's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.[1]

Benson remained in the Navy during the interwar period and rose to the rank of captain. He commanded the battleship USS Washington during the patrols in the Atlantic in the early stage of World War II. He was later promoted to commodore and transferred to the headquarters Gulf Sea Frontier, where he served as Chief of Staff for the remainder of the war.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Valor awards for Howard H. J. Benson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Commodore Howard Hartwell James Benson – Naval History and Heritage Command". history.navy.mil. Naval History and Heritage Command Websites. Retrieved 28 January 2018.