Howard, Thomas Benton, RADM

Admiral Thomas Benton Howard (August 10, 1854 - November 10, 1920) was an admiral in the United States Navy. He served as commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet prior to United States entry into World War I.

Born 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. In 1915, he became the fifth full 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 full admiral. Upon relinquishing command of the Pacific Fleet in September 1915, Howard reverted to his permanent rank of rear admiral.

Howard retired on August 10, 1916. He was Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory from March 31, 1917 to March 4, 1919. He died in Annapolis on November 10, 1920.