U.S. Navy Rear Admiral. Benson entered the United States Naval Academy in 1925 and graduated in 1929. He was commissioned as an Ensign in 1929 and was assigned to the Battleship USS New York, then the Destroyer Smith Thompson on the Asiatic Station. In 1934, Benson attended Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. Upon completion of the course in late 1934, he had successive duty in the submarines R-14, S-42, and S-27. He then returned to the Naval Academy where from June 1937 until May 1939, he had duty as an instructor in Navigation. In June of 1939, he joined the Destroyer USS Hovey as Executive Officer and served in like duty on the Submarine Nautilus from February of 1941 to August of 1942. Benson and his crew participated in the Battle of Midway where he was credited with three torpedo strikes on an enemy aircraft carrier, which sank the carrier. He next was the Commanding Officer of the USS Trigger with his ship credited with sinking almost 30,000 tons of Japanese shipping. For his actions as Commander of the Trigger, he was awarded the Navy Cross. In July of 1943, Benson was placed in command of the Prospective Submarine Commanding Officer's school, Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut. From June of 1944 to October of 1944, he commanded the submarine Razorback, and later commanded Submarine Division 43. In July 1945, Benson reported for duty in the Operational Readiness Section, Headquarters, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. In March of 1947, he was assigned to duty on the Staff of the Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, as readiness and new developments officer, and in 1948, became war plans and intelligent officer on that staff. In March 1949, he became the first Commander of Submarine Development Group Two, when that unit was commissioned, remaining in command until August 1950. From 1953 to 1954, Benson was the Commanding Officer of the attack transport Bayfield followed by Commander Amphibious Squadron Six. In September 1955, he was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department, and on August 8, 1956, became Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1956 and assigned as Cruiser Division Commander in the Pacific. On May 2, 1957, he assumed command of Cruiser Division One in Yokosuka, Japan and from 1960 to 1962 was Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet. His next assignment was a five year tour of duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Staff Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Operations/Director of Naval Administration. In June 1958, he became Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, Military Sea Transportation Service, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 1960, Benson assumed command of the Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, with headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and from September 1962 until June 1966, he was Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Director of Naval Administration. His last command was as Commandant of the First Naval District prior to his retirement from active duty in 1969.