Admiral Benson and the First World War

The United States Navy by 1914 was considered a vast and complex instrument of force, designed for the purpose of protecting the nation and waging a successful war on the sea if called upon. The fleet, which was the concrete embodiment of this force, was built in accordance with the requirements of well-defined plans to secure victory when the occasion arose. Significantly, after Admiral William S. Benson assumed the responsibility of Chief to the newly-created Office of Naval Operations, this force was brought into world prominence during the First World War. Indeed, it was Benson who was instrumental in securing for the United States the rank of a great naval power, if not perhaps, the greatest naval power, following his retirement in 1919. To present an adequate biography of Benson would be a voluminous undertaking. This study, therefore, is essentially concerned with the period Benson had served as Chief of Naval Operations. Moreover, I have reviewed only certain aspects of Benson's accomplishments which include the reorganization and buildup of the Navy in Chapter I, the convoy system and the North Sea Mine Barrage in Chapters II and III, and Benson's naval policy during the Peace Conference in Chapter IV. I have concluded with a brief and general summary of Benson's major successes--back cover.