Vernon Huber Explained

Vernon Huber
Smallimage:Vernon Huber.jpg
Office:Governor of American Samoa
Term Start:April 22, 1947
Term End:June 15, 1949
Predecessor:Harold Houser
Successor:Thomas Francis Darden Jr.
Birth Date:August 28, 1899
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Illinois
Death Place:El Camino Hospital, Los Altos, California
Spouse:Ida Brown
Alma Mater:United States Naval Academy
Occupation:Naval officer
Allegiance: United States
Branch: United States Navy
Rank: Rear admiral
Battles:World War I
World War II
Awards:Legion of Merit
Navy Commendation Medal

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 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]

Naval career

Huber was appointed to the United States Naval Academy on July 17, 1918.[2] He was the first commander of the destroyer 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]

Notes and References

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