Otto Dowling
Encyclopedia
Otto Carl Dowling was an United States Navy
Captain, and the 25th Governor of American Samoa from April 17, 1934 to January 15, 1936. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1903. Dowling served in World War I
, before retiring. He was re-commissioned in World War II
, serving as the commander of a naval ammunition depot on Iona Island in New York
. He commanded the Lake Denmark Powder Depot, and was in charge when lightning struck the location, causing a large explosion of million's of dollars worth of ammunition. A board of inquiry recommended him for the Distinguished Service Cross
for his bravery in the situation.
As Governor, he discriminated against the Samoan people, believing they had little ability to plan or administer, and were generally lazy. He abandoned a project on the island to train people in agricultural and saw mill skills. He shut down some local occupational training facilities, and outlawed the sale of alcohol to men under eighteen, and all women. He died on April 14, 1946 in Trumbull, Connecticut
after he suffered a heart attack while driving.
from New York
, beginning in 1898 and graduating in 1903. Dowling served in both World War I
, where he obtained his Captain rank. Soon after the war, he retired from the United States Navy
, but returned to active duty in World War II
, and was placed in command of the Naval arsenal on Iona Island. He served as the senior member of the Naval Alaskan Coal Commission.
He was in charge of the Lake Denmark Powder Depot when an explosion occurred there in 1926. Both Dowling and a United States Marine Corp Private First Class
were caught in the blast. Dowling was temporarily blinded, badly burned, and used a wheelchair for a time afterward. For his bravery during the situation, Dowling was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
.
, who he believed had little work ethic or ability to plan for the future; as such, he treated the Samoan race as a people who needed safety nets. Dowling claimed, "Our policy of Samoa for the Samoans—no alienation of lands and no exploitation of natives—has been rigidly adhered to... as such a policy assures the existence of the Samoan race which otherwise could not stand competition from the energetic races." Dowling viewed the slow adoption of the English language
after thirty-five years of occupation to be troublesome.
Dowling outlawed the sale of alcohol to all men below the age of eighteen, and to all women on the island. When asked if he would approve the formation of a legislative body for the island, he claimed that such a thing would require an act of the United States Congress
; this stance was reversed when Governor Vernon Huber
approved the American Samoa Fono
.
. He was driving a car on Merritt Parkway
when he had a heart attack; Dowling successfully pulled the car to the side of the road, but died a few minutes later. At the time of his death, he had been living in Pelham, New York
.
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...
Captain, and the 25th Governor of American Samoa from April 17, 1934 to January 15, 1936. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1903. Dowling served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, before retiring. He was re-commissioned in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, serving as the commander of a naval ammunition depot on Iona Island in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He commanded the Lake Denmark Powder Depot, and was in charge when lightning struck the location, causing a large explosion of million's of dollars worth of ammunition. A board of inquiry recommended him for the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
for his bravery in the situation.
As Governor, he discriminated against the Samoan people, believing they had little ability to plan or administer, and were generally lazy. He abandoned a project on the island to train people in agricultural and saw mill skills. He shut down some local occupational training facilities, and outlawed the sale of alcohol to men under eighteen, and all women. He died on April 14, 1946 in Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the New England region of the United States, is bordered by the towns of Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Easton along Connecticut's Gold Coast. The population was 36,018 according to the 2010 census.Family Circle magazine...
after he suffered a heart attack while driving.
Naval career
Dowling attended 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 New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, beginning in 1898 and graduating in 1903. Dowling served in both World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, where he obtained his Captain rank. Soon after the war, he retired from 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...
, but returned to active duty in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was placed in command of the Naval arsenal on Iona Island. He served as the senior member of the Naval Alaskan Coal Commission.
He was in charge of the Lake Denmark Powder Depot when an explosion occurred there in 1926. Both Dowling and a United States Marine Corp Private First Class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
were caught in the blast. Dowling was temporarily blinded, badly burned, and used a wheelchair for a time afterward. For his bravery during the situation, Dowling was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
.
Governorship
Dowling was Governor of American Samoa from April 17, 1934 to January 15, 1936. Dowling's administration continued certain policies of racism toward the native SamoansSamoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
, who he believed had little work ethic or ability to plan for the future; as such, he treated the Samoan race as a people who needed safety nets. Dowling claimed, "Our policy of Samoa for the Samoans—no alienation of lands and no exploitation of natives—has been rigidly adhered to... as such a policy assures the existence of the Samoan race which otherwise could not stand competition from the energetic races." Dowling viewed the slow adoption of the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
after thirty-five years of occupation to be troublesome.
Dowling outlawed the sale of alcohol to all men below the age of eighteen, and to all women on the island. When asked if he would approve the formation of a legislative body for the island, he claimed that such a thing would require an act of the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
; this stance was reversed when Governor Vernon Huber
Vernon Huber
Vernon Huber was a United States Navy Rear admiral, and the 36th Governor of American Samoa from April 22, 1947 to June 15, 1949. He was born in Philadelphia, Illinois, and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from that state. He served as the first commanding officer of the USS...
approved the American Samoa Fono
American Samoa Fono
The Legislature of American Samoa or Fono is the territorial legislature of American Samoa. Like most state and territorial legislatures of the United States, it is a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate...
.
Death
Dowling died on April 14, 1946 in Trumbull, ConnecticutTrumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the New England region of the United States, is bordered by the towns of Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Easton along Connecticut's Gold Coast. The population was 36,018 according to the 2010 census.Family Circle magazine...
. He was driving a car on Merritt Parkway
Merritt Parkway
The Merritt Parkway is a historic limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the...
when he had a heart attack; Dowling successfully pulled the car to the side of the road, but died a few minutes later. At the time of his death, he had been living in Pelham, New York
Pelham (town), New York
Pelham is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 12,396. Historically, Pelham was composed of five villages and became known as "the Pelhams"...
.