One of the midshipmen in his navigational classes was Edward L. Beach who would later serve with Benson during World War II.

Edward L. Beach would later credit Benson's leadership during the next four war patrols for restoring the crew's morale.

[2] Ironically, Benson's most far-reaching contribution to the submarine campaign against the Japanese Empire was the failure to sink the aircraft carrier Hiyō during his final war patrol as Trigger's skipper.

This proved to be the "final straw" for Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, the Commander Submarines Pacfific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), who ordered the magnetic exploders be deactivated on the trouble-plagued Mark 14 torpedo.

Benson led a wolfpack consisting of Razorback, Trepang (SS-412), and Segundo (SS-398) that set sail on November 5, 1944.

Benson led another wolfpack consisting of Razorback, Segundo, and Seacat (SS-399) that set out for the East China Sea on February 1, 1945.

Razorback sank four wooden ships in three separate surface gun actions and deposited three Japanese prisoners at Guam.

[4] In this capacity, Benson was responsible for the evolution of early post-war submarine tactics code-named Project Kayo.

In June 1958, he became Deputy Commander in chief of Staff, Military Sea Transportation Service, with headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In March 1960 he assumed command of the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), with headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii From September 1962 to June 1966, Benson was Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Director of Naval Administration, Navy Department, after which he served as director of a special task force until February 1969.

Mrs. Benson was the sponsor at the launch of the new post-war submarine Trigger, with Edward L. Beach as its first commanding officer, on June 14, 1951.