James Thomas Alexander
Encyclopedia
James Thomas Alexander was a United States Navy
Captain who served as the 37th Naval Governor of Guam. He served as a commanding officer
of ships during both World War I
and World War II
, receiving the Navy Cross
for his actions during the First World War. He was an outspoken advocate for increase naval power and bases to improve American defensive networks. As Governor, he improved the defenses of Guam by building additional military facilities, dredging the Apra Harbor
, increasing the officers on the island, and building a sea wall.
. He died on January 16, 1952.
in 1910. While there, he rowed for the Navy Midshipmen
men's crew
team. During World War I
he served as commanding officer
of both the USS Sterett
and the USS Porter
, for which he received the Navy Cross
. Following the war, he commanded the Navy Ammunition Depot in Hawaii
. In the 1930s, Alexander proved a strong advocate for the strengthening of American sea power as the key to maintaining a healthy national defense
. Following his governorship, he commanded the USS Astoria
. He commanded the USS Wichita
during World War II
. He retired from the Navy as a Captain.
, constructing a sea wall and oil storage facilities, and the erection of six new officers barracks. He had to negotiate with the Japan
ese government in arranging the return of a number of Japanese fisherman who had been rescued when there ship Daichs Saiho Maru sunk in a restricted area of the Guamanian coast. He also oversaw the 1940 United States Census on the island.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Captain who served as the 37th Naval Governor of Guam. He served as a commanding officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of ships during both World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, receiving the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for his actions during the First World War. He was an outspoken advocate for increase naval power and bases to improve American defensive networks. As Governor, he improved the defenses of Guam by building additional military facilities, dredging the Apra Harbor
Apra Harbor
Apra Harbor is a deep-water port on the western side of Guam in the Mariana Islands. The harbor is formed by Orote Peninsula in the south and Cabras Island in the north. To the south, the harbor narrows and then widens again to form an inner harbor. The southern end of the harbor is the location...
, increasing the officers on the island, and building a sea wall.
Life
Alexander was born on August 25, 1888 and lived much of his life in KansasKansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. He died on January 16, 1952.
Naval career
Alexander graduated from the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1910. While there, he rowed for the Navy Midshipmen
Navy Midshipmen
The United States Naval Academy sponsors 30 varsity-sports teams and 12 club-sports teams . Both men's and women's teams are called Navy Midshipmen or "Mids"...
men's crew
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
team. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he served as commanding officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of both the USS Sterett
USS Sterett (DD-27)
USS Sterett was a modified in the United States Navy during World War I. She was the first ship named for Andrew Sterett.Sterett was laid down on 22 March 1909 at Quincy, Massachusetts, by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company...
and the USS Porter
USS Porter (DD-59)
USS Porter was a built for the United States Navy prior to the American entry into World War I. The ship was the second U.S. Navy vessel named in honor of both David Porter and his son David Dixon Porter....
, for which he received the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
. Following the war, he commanded the Navy Ammunition Depot in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. In the 1930s, Alexander proved a strong advocate for the strengthening of American sea power as the key to maintaining a healthy national defense
National defense
National defense may refer to:*National security, a nation's use of military, economic and political power to maintain survival*National missile defense, a military strategy to shield a country from missiles...
. Following his governorship, he commanded the USS Astoria
USS Astoria (CA-34)
The second USS Astoria was a United States Navy New Orleans-class heavy cruiser that participated in both the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, but was then sunk in August 1942 at the Battle of Savo Island...
. He commanded the USS Wichita
USS Wichita (CA-45)
USS Wichita was a heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. The lead ship and only member of her class, she was the first ship named after the city of Wichita, Kansas...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He retired from the Navy as a Captain.
Governorship
Alexander served as Naval Governor of Guam from February 8, 1938 to April 20, 1940. Air travel became more prevalent during his tenure as more people traveled to the island from the mainland United States and air mail arrived frequently. He recommended various methods to make the island more defensible, including building additional warehouses and harbor facilities, dredging Apra HarborApra Harbor
Apra Harbor is a deep-water port on the western side of Guam in the Mariana Islands. The harbor is formed by Orote Peninsula in the south and Cabras Island in the north. To the south, the harbor narrows and then widens again to form an inner harbor. The southern end of the harbor is the location...
, constructing a sea wall and oil storage facilities, and the erection of six new officers barracks. He had to negotiate with the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese government in arranging the return of a number of Japanese fisherman who had been rescued when there ship Daichs Saiho Maru sunk in a restricted area of the Guamanian coast. He also oversaw the 1940 United States Census on the island.