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Mason was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on [[January 12]], [[1891]]. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in [[1912]] and entered flight training in Pensacola in May [[1916]]. Mason graduated in [[1917]], becoming the Navy's 52nd aviator. In the same year, Mason married Ralphine Fisher in Pensacola. Before long, however, Mason was ordered to Europe, as America had become involved in World War I. Mason would later serve in World War II, also, at one point commanding the On [[Wikipedia:USS Hornet (CV-8)|USS ''Hornet''June 13]], and earning the [[Wikipedia:Navy Cross|Navy Cross1918]] for his defense of , then-Lieutenant Mason piloted the ship before its destruction first American-built aircraft to be assembled in the France, at [[Wikipedia:Battle of the Santa Cruz IslandsPauillac|Battle of the Santa Cruz IslandsPauillac]].

In [[1923]], Mason, then a Lieutenant Commander, took command of VS Squadron 3, a special service squadron assigned to develop long-distance scouting planes. In [[1940]], Mason became the first commanding officer of the newly-commissioned [[Wikipedia:Naval Air Station Jacksonville|Naval Air Station Jacksonville]].<ref>[http://www.earlyaviators.com/emason.htm Earlyaviators.com]</ref> Mason would later serve in World War II, also, at one point commanding the [[Wikipedia:USS Hornet (CV-8)|USS ''Hornet'']], and earning the [[Wikipedia:Navy Cross|Navy Cross]] for his defense of the ship before its destruction in the [[Wikipedia:Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands|Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands]]. Mason served in the Navy for 38 years, eventually attaining the rank of Vice Admiral. He retired from active duty in April [[1946]], first settling in Jacksonville, but soon returned to Pensacola, where he became Mayor of Pensacola in [[1947]].<ref>[http://www.stjohnshistoriccemetery.com/pensacolas_heritages/naval_heritage.htm#c_p_mason St. John's Cemetary - Pensacola's Heritage]</ref>