US Navy Rear Admiral. Besson was raised in the Portland area until he was fifteen years old, when his father then moved the family to Vienna, Austria. In Austria he attended the highly acclaimed boarding school, Theresianum where the classes were taught in German. Upon his return to the United States he attended Phillips Academy in Massachusetts then entered the Naval Academy in 1931. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935 and was commissioned an Ensign in June of 1935, Lieutenant junior grade in 1938, and full Lieutenant in 1942. During World War II he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1943 and Commander the following year. He served primarily on heavy cruisers and destroyers during the war and participated in the battles for Midway, Saipan, Tinian, Guam and the battle of Savo on November 19, 1942. During the battle of Savo his ship the "Pensacola" was badly damaged with the loss of 120 sailors from torpedo explosions. Besson was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1959 and retired from the Navy.
US Navy Rear Admiral. Besson was raised in the Portland area until he was fifteen years old, when his father then moved the family to Vienna, Austria. In Austria he attended the highly acclaimed boarding school, Theresianum where the classes were taught in German. Upon his return to the United States he attended Phillips Academy in Massachusetts then entered the Naval Academy in 1931. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935 and was commissioned an Ensign in June of 1935, Lieutenant junior grade in 1938, and full Lieutenant in 1942. During World War II he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1943 and Commander the following year. He served primarily on heavy cruisers and destroyers during the war and participated in the battles for Midway, Saipan, Tinian, Guam and the battle of Savo on November 19, 1942. During the battle of Savo his ship the "Pensacola" was badly damaged with the loss of 120 sailors from torpedo explosions. Besson was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1959 and retired from the Navy.
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