Vernon Huber

Vernon Huber
Governor of American Samoa
In office
April 22, 1947 – June 15, 1949
Preceded byHarold Houser
Succeeded byThomas Francis Darden Jr.
Personal details
BornAugust 28, 1899
Philadelphia, Illinois
DiedJune 17, 1967(1967-06-17) (aged 67)
El Camino Hospital, Los Altos, California
SpouseIda Brown
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy
OccupationNaval officer
AwardsLegion of Merit
Navy Commendation Medal
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy Seal United States Navy
Rank Rear admiral
CommandsUSS Livermore
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II

Vernon Huber (August 28, 1899 – June 17, 1967) was a United States Navy rear admiral, and the 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 destroyer USS Livermore upon its launch in 1940. After his appointment, he advocated the diversification of the American Samoan economy. He also helped to increase the level American Samoan self-government, and was the first governor to serve alongside a Samoan legislature, the American Samoa Fono.

Life

Huber was born on August 28, 1899, in Philadelphia, Illinois, to parents Herbert Oliver and Nelle Davis Huber.[1] On December 27, 1927, he married Ida Brown.[1] Upon arriving at the El Camino Hospital in Los Altos, California, on June 16, 1967, Huber was pronounced dead.[1]

Huber was appointed to the United States Naval Academy on July 17, 1918.[2] He was the first commander of the destroyer USS Livermore upon its launch in 1940.[3]

Governorship

On August 22, 1947, Huber relieved Harold Houser and took the office of Governor of American Samoa.[1] His assistant governor was Ralph Ramey.[4]

Huber supported the opening of a cannery by famed aviator Harold Gatty, believing it would help diversify the American Samoan economy.[5]

During his term, the Samoans moved towards greater self-government. Under Huber's encouragement, the legislature of the territory, the American Samoa Fono, convened for the first time.[6] As governor, Huber maintained certain powers over the legislature, including the power of veto.[7] This reversed the previous position of Governor Otto Dowling, who had claimed an act of the United States Congress would be required to form a legislature.[6] He ceded the office to Thomas Francis Darden Jr. on June 15, 1949.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Captain Vernon Huber". Governors. Government of American Samoa. 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  2. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps and Reserve Officers on Active Duty. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. 1920. p. 265. Retrieved 17 May 2010. vernon huber.
  3. ^ "New Destroyer Commissioned". The New York Times. New York City. Associated Press. 8 October 1940. p. 14.
  4. ^ Korman, Seymour (20 February 1949). "In Samoa the People Now Rule Chiefs". Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago, Illinois: Tribune Company. pp. 1–2.
  5. ^ Lovelace, Douglas (2 August 1948). "Famed Flier Gatty Wants Fish Cannery". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Lewiston, Maine: Lewiston Daily Sun. p. 2. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  6. ^ a b Sunia, Fofó Iosefa Fiti (1998). The Story of the Legislature of American Samoa. American Samoa: American Samoa Fono. p. 68. ISBN 982-9008-01-0. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Samoas to Get New Government". Kentucky New Era. Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Associated Press. 15 September 1948. p. 5.