Sosthenes Behn

Sosthenes Behn

Sosthenes Behn (January 30,1882 - June 6,1957) is an American businessman widely known for founding ITT. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.

Sosthenes Behn was born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. His ancestry was German on his paternal side, and French on his maternal side.

Behn served in the United States Army and was commissioned a Captain, Signal Corps, on June 19, 1917. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having served with distinction during World War I. Behn served with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France until February 1919. He was given command of the 232nd Field Signal Battalion, Chatteau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Argonne. For his valor in combat, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).

After his return from active duty serving his country, Colonel Behn co-founded the Puerto Rico Telephone Company which eventually spawned ITT.

Behn, along with his brother, Hernan, built the "Two Brothers Bridge" —"Puente Dos Hermanos" in Spanish— in San Juan. The bridge links the districts of Condado and Old San Juan.

During the war, all of ITT's German holdings were put under German government control. These included a minority share in airplane manufacturer Focke-Wulf, which ITT had acquired through its contacts with German financier Kurt Schröder. After the end of the war, the US authorities returned these assets to their rightful US owner.

In recognition of his extraordinary service to his country, Sosthenes Behn is interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

See also

* Telecommunications in Puerto Rico

References

# Morales Cortés, Ramón. [http://www.vii.org/papers/puer.htm Telecommunications in Puerto Rico] (paper). New York, USA: "Virtual Institute of Information".

External links

* [http://webpac.uvi.edu/imls/pi_uvi/profiles1972/Entrepreneurs/Behn_S/index.shtml Sosthenes Behn Sosthenes Behn - Brief Biography ]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Behn — is a family name and may refer to:* Aphra Behn, a prolific dramatist of the English Restoration * Ari Behn, an author married to Princess Märtha Louise of Norway * The Behn Brothers, founders of the Puerto Rico Telephone: ** Hernan Behn **… …   Wikipedia

  • Behn, Sosthenes — ▪ American businessman born Jan. 30, 1882, St. Thomas, Danish Virgin Islands died June 6, 1957, New York City       telephone executive, president and founder, with his brother Hernand, of the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation… …   Universalium

  • Hernan Behn — co founded the Puerto Rico Telephone Company which eventually spawned ITT. Behn, along with his brother Sosthenes built the Two Brothers Bridge mdash; Puente Dos Hermanos in Spanish mdash; in San Juan. The bridge links the districts of Condado… …   Wikipedia

  • ITT Corporation — ▪ American company also called (until 1983)  International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation        , former American telecommunications company that grew into a successful conglomerate corporation before its breakup in 1995.       ITT was… …   Universalium

  • ITT Corporation — Lema Engineered for Life Tipo Privada Predecesor International Telephone Telegraph Fundación 1920 …   Wikipedia Español

  • ITT Corporation — Infobox Company company name = ITT Corporation company company type = Public (NYSE: [http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=ITT ITT] ) company slogans = Engineered for life. foundation = 1920 [ The company currently named ITT… …   Wikipedia

  • ITT Intermetall — ITT Corporation Unternehmensform Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE) Gründung …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Intermetall — ITT Corporation Unternehmensform Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE) Gründung …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • International Telephone and Telegraph — Corporation Rechtsform Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE) Gründung 1920 Au …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Claro Puerto Rico — La red más poderosa. Type Subsidiary of América Móvil Traded as NYSE: AMX …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”