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. Dates of rank Midshipman – 31 May 1873 Ensign – 16 July 1874 Master – 13 January 1879 Junior lieutenant – 3 March 1883 Lieutenant – 7 November 1885 Lieutenant commander – 3 March 1899 Commander – unknown Captain – unknown Rear admiral – 14 November 1910 Admiral – March 1915 Later life and death Howard retired on August 10, 1916. He was Superintendent of the US Naval Observatory from March 31, 1917 to March 4, 1919. He died in Annapolis, Maryland on November 10, 1920. Personal life Howard is the father of Captain Douglas Legate Howard and great-grandfather of Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin and second great-grandfather of Vice Admiral John Mustin. References Further reading The Captains of the Great White Fleet External links Thomas Benton Howard Papers, 1869–1919 MS 209 held by Special Collection & Archives, Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy 1854 births 1920 deaths United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy admirals People from Galena, Illinois History of the Gulf of California Military personnel from Illinois