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Laurence Wild

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Laurence Wild
Governor of American Samoa
In office
August 8, 1940 – June 5, 1942
Preceded byJesse Wallace
Succeeded byJohn Gould Moyer
Personal details
Born(1890-05-01)May 1, 1890
Wilber, Nebraska, U.S.
DiedMay 26, 1971(1971-05-26) (aged 81)
Coronado, California, U.S.
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy
OccupationNaval officer
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy Seal United States Navy
Rank Captain
Laurence Wild
Playing career
1913Navy
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1913–1914Navy
Head coaching record
Overall10–0

Laurence Wild (May 1, 1890 – May 26, 1971) was a United States Navy Captain, college basketball player and coach, and the governor of American Samoa from August 8, 1940, to June 5, 1942. Wild was born in Wilber, Nebraska,[1] and lived in the 4th Congressional District of Nebraska for much of his adult life.[2][3] 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.[4][5] He returned as head coach of the team for one year (1913–14), coaching for ten games and winning all of them.

While a Lieutenant Commander, Wild served as a communications officer for Submarine Squadron 11.[6] President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt recommended Wild for the rank of captain in 1939.[2]

During his governorship, a more complicated political structure arose in American Samoa when Brigadier General Henry Louis Larsen of the United States Marine Corps became Military Governor and Island Commander of Tutuila. Though Larsen outranked him and commanded the military on the island, Wild held the senior position, and ultimately maintained control over the administration of all the islands in American Samoa.[1] On March 13, 1941, Wild ordered the construction of an airfield on the main island.[1]

Governor Wild was the first wartime governor of American Samoa. Under his administration, preparations for the defense of Tutuila, particularly Pago Pago, commenced. On January 5, 1942, the U.S. Navy began mining the approaches to Pago Pago. Wild recommended to the Chief of Naval Operations the establishment of an insular native force distinct from the Fitafita Guard. This led to the creation of a force that later became the First Samoan Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.[7]

He died in Coronado, California on May 26, 1971.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sorensen, Stan; Joseph Theroux (2007). "The Samoan Historical Calendar 1606-2007" (PDF). Government of American Samoa. pp. 19, 107, 129. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  2. ^ a b United Press International (14 December 1939). "Promotion Lists are Approved". Berkley Daily Gazette. Berkeley, California. p. 11. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  3. ^ Official Register of the United States. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. 1941. p. 79. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Navy Men's Basketball: A Tradition of Excellence". NavySports. CBS Sports. 2010. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  5. ^ "Division I Consensus All-American Selections" (PDF). Award Winners. NCAA. 2008. p. 134. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  6. ^ Lockwood, Charles A.; Adamson, Hans Christian (1960). Tragedy at Honda. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-467-0.
  7. ^ Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Page 183. ISBN 9829036022.
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