Captain Fred G. Bennett reported for duty as Commanding Officer of the USS NEWPORT NEWS from the USS GRAND CANYON (AD-28) where he was also Commanding Officer.

Born in Yazco City, Mississippi in 1915, Captain Bennett was graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1936. Following graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign and was assigned to the USS MARYLAND. He Served for six years on the MARYLAND in various capacities, the last of which was Air Defense Officer. He held that job during the Japanese attach on Pearl Harbor where the MARYLAND was damaged. From June of 1943 until September of 1944, he was a student at the U. S. Navy Post Graduate School at Annapolis and at MIT where he received a Master of Science Degree in Ordnance Engineering (Fire Control).

He reported to the USS TOPEKA (CL-67) as the Gunnery Officer in October of 1944. He served out the war on the TOPEKA taking part in the late Okinawa and Empire Operations.

October of 1951 brought the then Commander Bennett his first Command, the USS HARWOOD (DDE-861). He served as Commanding Officer of the HARWOOD until January of 1953 at which time he reported to duty on the Staff of Commander Destroyer Force Atlantic.

August of 1954 found him back as a student again – this time at the Naval War College. During his ten month tour at the War College, he was promoted to Captain, leaving the War College in June of 1955, he reported as Commander Destroyer Division 82.

Captain Bennett then reported to the Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D. C. as the Engineering Officer. He served in that capacity from September of 1956 until June of 1959 when he received his orders to report as Commanding Officer of the USS GRAND CANYON, where he served until June of this year. He was detached at that time with orders to report as Commanding Officer of the USS NEWPORT NEWS.

Captain Bennett is authorized to wear the following campaign and service medals: American Defense Service Medal; American Area Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with three stars; China Service Medal: Navy Occupation Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal.