Otto Dowling

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Otto Carl Dowling
Thomas Latimore
Succeeded byThomas Benjamin Fitzpatrick
Personal details
BornFebruary 28, 1881
Died14 April 1946(1946-04-14) (aged 65)
Lake Denmark Powder Depot

Otto Carl Dowling (February 28, 1881 – April 14, 1946) was a

Lake Denmark Powder Depot, and was in charge when lightning struck the location, causing a large explosion of millions of dollars' worth of ammunition. A board of inquiry recommended him for the Distinguished Service Cross
for his bravery in the situation.

He was Governor of American Samoa from 1934 to 1936. 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 sawmill skills.[1]
He shut down some local occupational training facilities, and outlawed the sale of alcohol to men under 18, and to all women.

Naval career

Dowling attended the United States Naval Academy from New York, beginning in 1898[2] and graduating in 1903.[3] Dowling served in both World War I, where he obtained his Captain rank.[3] 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.[3] He served as the senior member of the Naval Alaskan Coal Commission.[4]

He was in charge of the

Private First Class were caught in the blast. Dowling was temporarily blinded, badly burned, and used a wheelchair for a time afterward.[6] For his bravery during the situation, Dowling was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[7][8]

Governorship

Dowling was

Governor of American Samoa from April 17, 1934, to January 15, 1936.[1] Dowling's administration continued certain policies of racism toward the native Samoans, 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."[1] Dowling viewed the slow adoption of the English language after thirty-five years of occupation to be troublesome.[1]

Dowling outlawed the sale of alcohol to all men below the age of eighteen, and to all women on the island.[1] 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.[9]

Death

Dowling died on April 14, 1946, in

Pelham, New York.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Associated Press (11 November 1936). "Sleepy Are Samoan Days". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh: Block Communications. p. 8. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  2. ^ "The Naval Academy Opening". The New York Times. New York City. 11 September 1898. p. 15.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Capt. O. C. Dowling: Former Governor of American Samoa Dies Driving Auto". The New York Times. New York City. 15 April 1946. p. 27.
  4. United States Government Printing Office
    . p. 89. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  5. ^ "Wilbur to Name Boards". The New York Times. New York City. 13 July 1926. p. 3.
  6. ^ "Dowling's Heroism in Navy Blast Told". The New York Times. New York City. 22 July 1926. p. 21.
  7. ^ "Army & Navy: Report". Time. New York City: Time Inc. 16 August 1926. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  8. ^ "Back as Head of Arsenal". The New York Times. New York City. 17 October 1926. pp. E1.
  9. ISBN 982-9008-01-0
    . Retrieved 17 May 2010.
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