Thomas Benton Howard
Admiral, U.S. Navy

Thomas Benton Howard was born on 10 August 1854 in Illinois. Howard received an at-large appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1873. During his career he served under George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay and successively Commanded USS Chesapeake, USS Nevada, USS Olympia, USS Tennessee, and USS Ohio (BB-12). As captain of USS Ohio, he sailed around the world with the Great White Fleet in 1908-1909.

In January 1914, Howard was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The same year, during the Mexican Revolution, Howard commanded a squadron of American vessels in the Gulf of California. Their mission was to observe the Topolobampo Naval Campaign. Three of Howard's warships were present at the Fourth Battle of Topolobampo.

When the Marines established camp for the second time on San Diego's North Island, they named it Camp Howard, in his honor. In 1915, he became the fifth four-star admiral in the history of the U.S. Navy when the three Commanders-in-Chief of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Asiatic Fleets were each advanced to the temporary rank of Admiral. Upon relinquishing command of the Pacific Fleet in September 1915, Howard reverted to his permanent rank of Rear Admiral.

Howard retired from the Navy on 10 August 1916.

Dates of Rank

Midshipman - 31 May 1873

Ensign - 16 July 1874

Master - 13 January 1879

Junior Lieutenant - 3 March 1883

Lieutenant - 7 November 1885

Lieutenant-Commander - 3 March 1899

Commander - unknown

Captain - unknown

Rear Admiral - 14 November 1910

Admiral - March 1915

In Retirement

He was Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory from 31 March 1917 to 4 March 1919.

Death and Burial

Admiral Thomas Benton Howard died in Annapolis, MD, on 10 November 1920. He is buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.