Charles Alan Pownall | |
---|---|
3rd Military Governor of Guam | |
In office May 30, 1946 – September 27, 1949 |
|
Preceded by | Henry Louis Larsen |
Succeeded by | Carlton Skinner, First Appointed Governor of Guam |
Personal details | |
Born |
Atglen, Chester Country, Pennsylvania, USA |
October 4, 1887
Died | July 19, 1975 San Diego, California, USA |
(aged 87)
Resting place | El Camino Memorial Park, Sorrento Valley, San Diego, CA |
Nationality | United States |
Spouse(s) | Mary Chenoweth Pownall |
Awards | Navy Cross |
Military service | |
Nickname(s) | Baldy |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Rank | Rear admiral |
Commands |
USS Reid (DD-21) USS Vedette (SP-163) USS John D. Ford (DD-228) USS Enterprise (CV-6) USS Yorktown (CV-10) |
Battles/wars |
Charles Alan Pownall (October 4, 1887 – July 19, 1975) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and Governor of Guam (May 30, 1946 – September 27, 1949). He was the third military Governor and first naval Governor of Guam following the United States recapture of the island from the Japanese. After conflict with the Guam Congress in 1948, Pownall replaced many Congressmen with his own appointments, whom the Guamanians refused to recognize. The ensuing protest persuaded President Truman to transfer control of the island away from the Navy. As a consequence, Charles Pownall was the last military governor of Guam.
During World War I, then-Lieutenant Commander Pownall commanded the patrol vessel USS Vedette (SP-163) on convoy escort and antisubmarine operations in the Atlantic Ocean and European waters and was awarded the Navy Cross; citation as follows:
"For distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the USS Vedette, engaged in the important exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines".