Governors of American Samoa

Commander Thomas Calloway Latimore (28 June, 1890 - July, 1941?) was an American naval officer who was captain of the USS Dobbin, and the 24th (22nd unique) Governor of American Samoa. His disappearance in Hawaii, just months before the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, remains an unsolved mystery.

Lieutenant General Henry Louis Larsen (December 10, 1890 – October 2, 1962) was a United States Marine Corps officer, the second Military Governor of Guam following its recapture from the Empire of Japan, and the first post-World War II Governor of Guam. He also served as the Military Governor of American Samoa alongside civilian Governor of American Samoa Laurence Wild. Larsen was among the first troops overseas in both World Wars. During World War I, he commanded the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and participated in numerous battles in France, earning the Navy Cross, three Silver Stars, the Croix de guerre with palm, and the French Legion of Honour. In between the World Wars, he served during the United States occupation of Nicaragua, where he earned his second Navy Cross, the Presidential Medal of Merit from President of Nicaragua José María Moncada Tapia, and his first Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Edward Stanley Kellogg (August 20, 1870 – January 8, 1948) was a United States Navy Captain who served as the 16th Governor of American Samoa. Kellogg graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1892 and joined the Naval Engineer Corps. He served as an assistant engineer on numerous ships and participated in the Spanish–American War. He retired in 1920, and became governor three years later, making him only one of two Naval Governors of American Samoa to hold the office following retirement from the service. As Governor, Kellogg asserted the authority of the United States over the tribal chiefs of the islands. He removed the title of Tu'i Manu'a from Chris Young, claiming it implied king-like authority over the people of American Samoa. He also removed Chief Tui Manu'a from power, resulting in widespread protest among the islands' people. Kellogg died at the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Owen Stuart Aspinall (September 21, 1927 – February 7, 1997) was an American attorney and politician who served as the 45th Governor of American Samoa from August 1, 1967, to July 31, 1969. He was born in Grand Junction, Colorado; his father was longtime United States Representative Wayne N. Aspinall. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Aspinall earned his Bachelor of Laws from American University. He served in three government positions before becoming the Governor of American Samoa: the Deputy District Attorney of Mesa County, Colorado; Attorney General of American Samoa; and eventually Secretary of American Samoa, the islands' equivalent of a lieutenant governor.

John C. Elliott (January 30, 1919 – August 13, 2001) was an American politician appointed as the 39th Governor of American Samoa. Elliott was born on January 30, 1919 in Los Angeles, California. He died on April 13, 2001 in San Marino, California. He is buried at the San Gabriel Cemetery in San Gabriel, California. He took office on July 16, 1952 and left on November 23, 1952, leaving for personal reasons, and is the youngest man to ever hold the office at 33 years of age. Prior to his appointment, Elliott had served as the assistant to Governor Phelps Phelps and Secretary of American Samoa.

Phelps Phelps (May 4, 1897 – June 10, 1981), born Phelps von Rottenburg, was an American politician who held a number of offices in New York before becoming the 38th Governor of American Samoa and the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Phelps' parents divorced in 1899 and he later took his mother's maiden name as his last name, even though it was already also his first name. He attended Yale University in 1916, but was dismissed for cheating; he eventually graduated from Williams College and then Fordham University Law School, becoming an attorney.

Allen Hobbs (July 30, 1899 – November 23, 1960) was a hydrographer and career officer with the United States Navy. He was assigned as the 32nd Governor of American Samoa from February 8, 1944 to January 27, 1945. In 1948 he was appointed as the Hydographer of the Navy, serving until 1953, when he retired.

John Gould Moyer (July 12, 1893 – January 21, 1976) was a United States Navy Rear admiral, and the 31st Governor of American Samoa from June 5, 1942 to February 8, 1944. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but lived in both Indiana and Hawaii for much of his life. Moyer was admitted to the United States Naval Academy on June 16, 1910, and became an Ensign shortly upon graduation. He became a Commander in 1934, a Captain in 1939, and eventually a Rear admiral. During his governorship, Moyer recommended the tour of duty of the men under his command be reduced, and took over command of the United States Marines barracks previously under the control of Brigadier general Henry Louis Larsen.

Laurence Wild (May 1, 1890 – May 26, 1971) was a United States Navy Captain, college basketball player and coach, and the 30th Governor of American Samoa from August 8, 1940 to June 5, 1942. Wild was born in Wilber, Nebraska, and lived in the 4th Congressional District of Nebraska for much of his adult life. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1913; while there he played for the Navy Midshipmen basketball team, and was named a 1913 NCAA Basketball All-American. He returned as head coach of the team for one year (1913–14), coaching for ten games and winning all of them.

Jesse Rink Wallace (July 17, 1899 – January 29, 1961) was a United States Navy Captain and the 29th (27th unique) Governor of American Samoa. He served as Governor for a period of only ten days from July 30, 1940 to August 8, 1940. Wallace was born in Beardstown, Illinois on July 17, 1899. On June 20, 1918, Wallace was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Illinois. After his brief time as Governor, Wallace became the chief of staff to the Commandant of the Ninth Naval District. Wallace retired in 1952 and died on January 29, 1961; he was buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery.