this list is drawn from graduates of the naval academy who became cnos. the academy was founded in 1845 and graduated its first class in 1846. the first alumnus to graduate and go on to become a cno was william s. benson, who graduated from the class of 1877. the current cno, jonathan greenert, is also an academy graduate. four graduates subsequently became chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, three became ambassadors, three were recipients of the navy cross, and one was a recipient of the distinguished flying cross.