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Benson (WILLIAM SHEPHERD an American)

WILLIAM SHEPHERD, an American naval officer, born in Macon, Ga., Sept. 25, 1855. He graduated at the Annapolis Naval Academy in 1877. He rose through various grades of the service until he became captain in 1909. He was made rear-admiral, May 11, 1915.

In 1916 he became admiral and in 1917 was made President of the Navy General Board. In this capacity he co-operated closely with Secretary Daniels before and during the World War. In 1920 he became prominent as one of the principals in a sensational episode. Vice-Admiral Sims, who had been in command of the American fleet in Atlantic waters abroad during the war, testified before a naval inquiry committee in Washington that prior to his departure to take command he had been warned by a high navy official: "Don't let the British pull the wool over your eyes. We would as leave fight them as the Germans." The disclosure made a painful impression, both in America and abroad. It was felt certain BENTLEY that the high official mentioned must be either Secretary Daniels or Admiral Benson, the only two who were qualified by rank to give orders to Sims. Secretary Daniels came out promptly in a sweeping denial that he had ever used such language or given such instructions. Sims later stated that Benson was the official that he referred to, and the latter himself, although denying all recollection of having used such words, admitted that he had cautioned Sims against letting himself be too much swayed by British influences.