Edison takes oath as Secretary of Navy. Washington, D.C., Jan. 2. Charles Edison, son of the late inventor, Thomas Edison, was today sworn in as the 46th Secretary of the Navy to succeed the late Secretary Claude A. Swanson. Edison is the second man to become Secretary of the Navy after serving as Assistant Secretary, the other was Truman Newberry, who became Secretary in December, 1908. Left to right: Mrs. Charles Edison, Secretary of War Harry H. Woodring, Secretary Edison, and Rear Admiral Walter B. Woodson, Judge Advocate General, administering the oath