Monticello (LSD 35) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR LEE S. MARSH EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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CAPTAIN BENSON Born in San Diego, California, on May 23, 1927, Captain Francis W. Benson Jr. is the son of Rear Admiral Francis W. Benson, USN (ret) and Dorothy Meade Benson. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation in June 1949. Captain Benson has served primarily in the Pacific Fleet in destroyers and aircraft carriers. During his first sea tour he was assigned to USS SHELTON (DD-790), US S AIMTIETAM (CV36), USS SHANGRILA ' (CV-38), and USS POINT CRUA (CVE-119). On returning to sea in 1957 he served successively on the staff Commander Destroyer Squadron FIVE and in USS BRADFORD (DD-545). During his most recent sea tour he commissioned and commanded USS COCHRANE (DDG-21) until July 1965. He assumed command of the USS MONTICELLO in October 1969. His duty ashore has included two years on the staff. Commandant FOURTEENETH Naval District and Commander Hawaiian Sea Frontier; one year as a student at General Line School, U.S. Naval Post- graduate School, Monterey, California; one year as a student at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island; two years in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C. in the Officer Distribution Division; two years in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) and most recently, two years in the office of the Secretary of the Navy. Captain Benson is married to the former Virginia Swift Drees of Vallejo, California. They have four children and reside in San Diego, California.

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31 J A N U A R Y 1970 ALL HANDS TO aUARTERS FOR LE AWING HOME January 31 and we are off to the Western Pacific. IVIany of the crew have been there before, but for most of us it is the first time across. As we bid farewell to San Diego and our loved ones, we look forward to the excite- ment, demands, and adventures in a part of the world 7,000 miles from home.