Charles Armijo Woodruff
Encyclopedia
Charles Armijo Woodruff was a United States Navy
officer and the 11th Governor of American Samoa from December 6, 1914 to March 1, 1915. He captained multiple ships in both the Navy and the United States Merchant Marines. He served only briefly as governor, for a few months before ceding the office to John Martin Poyer
. Woodruff killed himself by hanging from the blinds cord in his hotel room in 1945. He claimed he missed his ship and had no ability to make money.
. After leaving the United States Navy
, Woodruff became a part of the United States Merchant Marine
, captaining a ship. On November 23, 1945, Woodruff committed suicide by hanging in an apartment in Hotel Bossert
, Brooklyn
, New York City
, using the venetian blinds cord in his room. A suicide note claimed he had killed himself because he had no means of making money and "missed his boat", and that suicide provided the "easiest way out".
from Pennsylvania
on September 24, 1902. In 1906, he commanded the USS Pampanga (PG-39)
as a Lieutenant (junior grade). Woodruff retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander.
of the governor's office on December 6, 1914, serving for a short time until March 1, 1915.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer and the 11th Governor of American Samoa from December 6, 1914 to March 1, 1915. He captained multiple ships in both the Navy and the United States Merchant Marines. He served only briefly as governor, for a few months before ceding the office to John Martin Poyer
John Martin Poyer
John Martin Poyer was the twelfth Naval Governor of American Samoa, from March 1, 1915 to June 10, 1919. He held the longest term of any American Samoan Governor. A Naval Academy graduate, Poyer served in numerous positions and retired in 1906 on account of failing health; however, the Navy called...
. Woodruff killed himself by hanging from the blinds cord in his hotel room in 1945. He claimed he missed his ship and had no ability to make money.
Life
Woodruff was born on January 12, 1884 in Santa Fe, New MexicoSanta Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
. After leaving the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, Woodruff became a part of the United States Merchant Marine
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
, captaining a ship. On November 23, 1945, Woodruff committed suicide by hanging in an apartment in Hotel Bossert
Hotel Bossert
Hotel Bossert was once known as "the Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn". It was the site of the celebration of the Brooklyn Dodgers' only World Series championship.-Early history:...
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, using the venetian blinds cord in his room. A suicide note claimed he had killed himself because he had no means of making money and "missed his boat", and that suicide provided the "easiest way out".
Naval career
Woodruff was appointed to the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
on September 24, 1902. In 1906, he commanded the USS Pampanga (PG-39)
USS Pampanga (PG-39)
USS Pampanga was a schooner-rigged iron gunboat in the United States Navy during the Philippine-American War. She retained her Spanish name....
as a Lieutenant (junior grade). Woodruff retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander.
Governorship
Woodruff relieved Nathan PostNathan Post
Nathan Woodworth Post was the 8th and 10th Governor of American Samoa. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1904, and commanded the USS Detroit and the Naval Recruiting Station in Omaha, Nebraska. He served two terms as governor: from March 14 to July 14, 1913 and from October 2...
of the governor's office on December 6, 1914, serving for a short time until March 1, 1915.