George Landenberger | |
|---|---|
 Landenberger as governor in 1932 | |
| Governor of American Samoa | |
| In office May 12, 1932 – April 10, 1934 | |
| Preceded by | Gatewood Lincoln |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Latimore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Bertram Landenberger May 12, 1879 |
| Died | 15 January 1936(1936-01-15) (aged 56) |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy |
| Occupation | Naval officer |
| Awards | Navy Cross |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Commands | USS Indiana USS Pennsylvania USS Arkansas 15th Naval District Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Destroyer squad of theAsiatic Fleet |
George Bertram Landenberger (May 12, 1879 – January 15, 1936) was aUnited States NavyCaptain and thegovernor of American Samoa, from May 12, 1932, to April 10, 1934. Landenberger commanded many ships during his naval career, as well as two naval yards. He received theNavy Cross for his actions commandingUSS Indiana duringWorld War I. He died of cancer in 1936, one year after retiring from military service.
Landenberger was born inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania, on May 12, 1879.[1]
Landenberger attended theUnited States Naval Academy fromGermantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1896, graduating in 1900.[2] As an ensign, he joined theUnited States Asiatic Fleet, eventually joining forces in thePhilippines.[3] Landenberger served onUSS Alabama during 1906.[4] In 1915, he served as alieutenant commander onUSS Louisiana.[5]
Landenberger received theNavy Cross for his service as commanding officer ofUSS Indiana during theFirst World War. The citation read: "The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain George Landenberger, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Indiana, in the Atlantic Fleet." AfterIndiana, Landenberger commanded two other ships,USS Pennsylvania in 1930 andUSS Arkansas in 1932, as well as the entire destroyer squadron of the Asiatic Fleet from 1924 to 1926.[3]
Right before becoming the governor ofAmerican Samoa, Landenberger was in the post of Chief of Staff of the15th Naval District in thePanama Canal Zone.[6] This followed an appointment to the command of the Naval Station onGoat Island.[3] After serving as governor, he was reassigned as head of thePhiladelphia Naval Shipyard.[3]
Landenberger retired from service in 1935 toHaverford, Pennsylvania. December 10 of that year, Landenberger underwent treatment for lung problems, receiving severalblood transfusions.[3] He died on January 15, 1936, ofsarcoma of the chest. He died at the Naval Hospital inPhiladelphia.[1]
Landenberger becameGovernor of American Samoa on May 12, 1932, succeedingGatewood Lincoln.[7] He served until April 10, 1934.[8]
As Governor, Landenberger enhanced the annualAmerican Samoa Fono sessions by hosting delegates and community leaders for lunches at theGovernment House. He declared that only urgent matters should be directed to him, with all other issues to be resolved by the Fono. In response, High OratorTuiasosopo Mariota and theEastern District passed a resolution in the following Fono stating that "no new laws should be made or changed unless first decided in the Fono." While Governor Landenberger denied this resolution, he wrote to the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C., highlighting the significant attachment the American Samoan people felt towards their Fono. Landenberger initiated a review of land ownership and matai laws, proposing that part-Samoans who had lived in the islands for five years and adopted the Samoan way of life be entitled to hold matai titles. Despite strong opposition, this led to a change in the blood requirement for holding matai titles, reducing it from 100% to 75%.[9]
In 1932, Governor Landenberger established the territory’s first Department of Agriculture to expand and improve agricultural production. An experimental farm was set up atTaputimu, but limited engagement from local farmers meant the project produced few results.[10]
george bertram landenberger.
| Commandant(1900–1905) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Naval(1905–1951) | ||
| Civil(1951–1978) | ||
| Elected(since 1978) | ||
