William Michael Crose

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William Michael Crose
Nathan Woodworth Post
Personal details
BornFebruary 9, 1867
Navy Cross
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy Seal United States Navy
Rank Captain
CommandsUSS North Dakota (BB-29)
USS Princeton (PG-13)

William Michael Crose (February 8, 1867 – April 4, 1929) was a United States Navy Captain and the seventh Naval Governor of American Samoa, from November 10, 1910 to March 14, 1913. He was the first person designated "Governor of American Samoa", rather than the previous "Governor of Tutuila".[1]

Life and career

Early life

Crose was born in Greencastle, Indiana on February 8, 1867.[2] He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy on May 19, 1884 and graduated in 1888.[3]

Naval career

The

Navy Cross for "exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NORTH DAKOTA in the Atlantic Fleet, during World War I."[4] On July 1, 1890, Crose was commissioned into the United States Navy as an ensign. On May 10, 1898, he became a lieutenant (junior grade), and a lieutenant on March 3, 1898. He was stationed on USS Galena in 1888, USS Marion in 1890, the Naval Hydrographic office in 1894, USS Pinta in 1895, USS Wheeling the same year, the Bureau of Equipment in 1898, and USS Kentucky in 1900.[3]

Governorship

On November 10, 1910, Crose relieved

Secretary of the Navy in a 1911 letter. On July 17, 1911, the island was officially designated "American Samoa", and President of the United States William Howard Taft recommissioned Crose as "Governor of American Samoa", rather than "Governor of Tutuila" on October 24, 1912.[2]

Crose also amended laws on firearms,

Post-governorship

Crose died in San Diego on April 4, 1929, and was buried at sea.

Notes

  1. ^ Government of American Samoa (2008), 2.
  2. ^ a b c d e Government of American Samoa (2009).
  3. ^ a b Hamersly (1902), 307.
  4. ^ Military Times (2009).

References

  • "Commander William Michael Crose: November 10, 1910 – March 14, 1913". Government of American Samoa. 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  • Hamersly, Lewis Randolph (1902). The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps: With a History of Naval Operations During the Rebellion of 1861–5, and a List of the Ships and Officers Participating in the Great Battles. J.M. Carroll. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  • "Historical Notes" (PDF). Tapuitea: Official American Samoa Government Weekly Newsletter. III (8). Government of American Samoa. February 22, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  • "William Crose". Military times.
    Army Times Publishing Company
    . 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.