South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-17
NO GROUND IS GA|N:D BY CONFERENCE
Laetare Medal is
Awarded Adm.
Benson by N. D.
Ranking Officer of u. S. Navy
is Honored by Local
University.

The Laetare medal. which is con-
ferred by the University Of Notre
Dame on a Catholic layman who has
accomplished some meritorious
work, is conferred this year on Ad-
miral William Shepherd Benson.
ranking officer in the United States
navy, whose high ideals have won
for him a place of note in the ma
] ton and among his countrymen. The
appointment Of the admiral was
made public by Rev Dr. John A.
Cavanaugh. president of the univer-
sity, who is at present i'm Washing
ton
When Admiral Dewey died. Ben.
son became the ranking officer Of
the navy and president of the gem
eral board of the navy which has
charge of all measures for the pre-
paration and maintenance of the
fleet for war, and prepares plans for
campaigns. He came TO this posi-
ton after career OF unremitted
endeavor among many diversified
lines. and during his % years of
service, he has occupied virtually
every command on land and sea that
his rank would justify. Previous 10
his recent appointment the admiral
had command of the first division
Of the Atlantic fleet, and command
of the Philadelphia navy yard. He
held the rank of rear admiral until
Aug. %, 1916, at which time he
was promoted TO admiral by the act
of congress. and he now holds the
office of ranking naval officer of the
service.
Demonstrated Abilities.
lie has demonstrated his super
ioTity i'm all lines of his varied ca
reer as an officer. He is a member
OF the Army and Navy club of WASH
ington. the Union League club Of
Philadelphia. and the Catholic and
New York Yacht clubs Of New York
He married Miss Mary Augusta
Wyse of Baltimore in 1879. Admiral
and Mrs. Benson have three chill
dren. Mrs. Herman Kraft Of Annap-
oils. Lieut.. Howard H. Benson. l..
s. y, and Midshipman Francis w
Benson. L. &. Naval academy.
Admiral Benson was born in Ma
con. Ca. Sept. 25. 1855. His father
was Richard A. Benson and his
mother Catherine ID. Benson. His
mother was the first woman 10 re-
ceive diploma from a female col
lege. He entered the naval academy
at Annapolis and was graduated in
1877. That same year he was or
dered TO Hartford" flagship of the
south Atlantic station, and remained
with it for two years.
Among Great Americans.
Admiral Benson's career as a
truly great American fits him for a
place in the roster Of Laetare medal
lists which includes such names as
those Of John Culinary shea. histor-
ian: J. ]. Kelley. architect; =. A..
Starr. art critic; c.. J. Newton, civil
engineer: =. Y. Hickey. editor: A..
IT. Dorsey. novelist: w. II Onahan,
publisher; n. DOugherty. orator,
Henry Brownson. soldier and schol-
ar T tuildAAANt hiphNNA HN'a'N'A'NA
A. DAILY, theatrical manager; VII
liam Rosencrans. soldier; Anna T.
SadHer author: T. A. Emmett. phys
ician: T. f Howard, jurist; John
Creighton. philanthropist; w.
Bourze Cochran. lawyer; J. =. Muir
phev. surgeon: Charles J Bonaparte.
stateman: r. G. Kearns. philan-
thropist: F. J. Quinlan. surgeon:
Katherine +. Conway. author and
journalist: f. d. White jurist; Mary
" Merrick social workers. and Or.
James ]. Walsh. eminent physician
and lecturer
tt is possible that the presenta-
ton OF the medal 10 Admiral Ben
son will he a part % the diamond
Jubilee exercises next June. The
announcement OF the recipient or
the medal will be made in Our Lady
or the Sacred Heart chapel on sun
day morning which is known as
Iaetare Sunday.