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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations

March 7th. 1918.

My dear Admiral,

          I am sorry to say that I am afraid that Admiral Wilson1 continues either hostile to me personally or hostile towards the organization. I sent you a copy of the personal letter I wrote to him on January 14th.2 I was in hopes that he would appreciate this letter and assure me that he would do what he could to correct the condition of affairs indicated therein. He has not only not replied to this, but I still receive indications of his hostility. He informed one of our officers the other day, that he did not like me and that I did not like him. I am sorry that the former appears to be true, but I can assure you that the latter is not. On the contrary, I have always like Wilson, though I have never particularly admired him as an officer. He is a lovable sort of a fellow and a very jovial companion, due to the essential boyishness of his disposition and his high spirits and sense of humour.

          I would be more than glad to get on with him without any friction whatever, and I have done everything that I could in this line. I shall write to him again, also personally, and invite his attention to the fact that although my former letter was a personal one, still it concerned very important matters, and that I took this up personally in the hope that we might solve the difficulty between us without making it a matter of official record.

          I enclose a copy of the letter above referred to.3 Certainly I should think that this letter ought to bring about a better understanding unless Wilson is, for some unaccountable reason, hopelessly prejudiced against me personally. I am sure you will recognise the difficulty of the situation.

Very sincerely yours,   

Source Note: TL, DLC-MSS, William Sims Papers, Box 49. Addressed below close: “Admiral W.S.Benson. U.S.N./Chief of Naval Operations,/Navy Dept./Washington.D.C.”

Footnote 1: RAdm. Henry B. Wilson, Commander, United States Patrol Squadorns Operating in European Waters.

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