Ralph Hungerford
Encyclopedia
Ralph Waldo Hungerford was a United States Navy
Captain, and the 33rd Governor of American Samoa from January 27, 1945 to September 3, 1945. He was born April 21, 1896 in Windsor, New York
, but moved to Rhode Island
later in life. He received appointment to the United States Naval Academy
on June 17, 1915. During World War II
, he served on the staff of Rear admiral
Adolphus Andrews in defense of the East Coast of the United States
; he specialized in antisubmarine warfare. Hungerford became governor on January 27, 1945, and faced the daunting task of restoring the island to a pre-Pacific War
economy. He died in 1977 in Pennsylvania
.
. He died on February 20, 1977 in Abington, Pennsylvania
.
on June 17, 1915 from Pennsylvania
, graduating in 1919. He served on the staff of Rear admiral
Adolphus Andrews, who had been entrusted with the defense of the Atlantic Coast in 1941. Hungerford was placed in charge of antisubmarine warfare.
of the post, serving until September 3, 1945. As governor, he successfully requested the removal of the sonobuoy
s from Pago Pago Harbor
. His main goal during his term was to return the islands to a sense of normalcy, converting them from the vital war-time centers they had been in the Pacific War
back to their previous condition. Among his challenges were cutting unemployment
, restoring the copra
industry of the islands, revitalizing the fishing industry, and re-opening schools closed during World War II
.
He often held meetings with the native chiefs, who gave requests for new roads and projects, and voiced their concerns about island affairs.
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, and the 33rd Governor of American Samoa from January 27, 1945 to September 3, 1945. He was born April 21, 1896 in Windsor, New York
Windsor (town), New York
Windsor is a town in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 6,421 at the 2000 census.The Town of Windsor is on the south border of the county and is east of Binghamton. The town also includes a village named Windsor, located on the Susquehanna River...
, but moved to Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
later in life. He received appointment to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
on June 17, 1915. 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 served on the staff of Rear admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
Adolphus Andrews in defense of the East Coast of the United States
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
; he specialized in antisubmarine warfare. Hungerford became governor on January 27, 1945, and faced the daunting task of restoring the island to a pre-Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
economy. He died in 1977 in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Life
Hungerford was born April 21, 1896 in Windsor, New York. At the time of his appointment as Governor, his legal residence was in Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. He died on February 20, 1977 in Abington, Pennsylvania
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 55,310 in as of the 2010 census.Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities dating back to before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704. It is home to some of the county's...
.
Naval career
Hungerford was admitted to 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...
on June 17, 1915 from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, graduating in 1919. He served on the staff of Rear admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
Adolphus Andrews, who had been entrusted with the defense of the Atlantic Coast in 1941. Hungerford was placed in charge of antisubmarine warfare.
Governorship
Hungerford became Governor of American Samoa on January 27, 1945, reliving Allen HobbsAllen Hobbs
Allen Hobbs was the 32nd Governor of American Samoa from February 8, 1944 to January 27, 1945. Hobbs was born on July 30, 1899 in Lowell, Massachusetts. His mother was a sculptor named Louise Allen Atkins, and his grandfather Charles Herbert Allen, the first American Governor of Puerto Rico...
of the post, serving until September 3, 1945. As governor, he successfully requested the removal of the sonobuoy
Sonobuoy
A sonobuoy is a relatively small expendable sonar system that is dropped/ejected from aircraft or ships conducting anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research....
s from Pago Pago Harbor
Pago Pago Harbor
Pago Pago Harbor is a large natural inlet in the central south coast of the island of Tutuila in American Samoa. The capital, Pago Pago is located on the inner reaches of the harbor, close to its northwesternmost point....
. His main goal during his term was to return the islands to a sense of normalcy, converting them from the vital war-time centers they had been in the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
back to their previous condition. Among his challenges were cutting unemployment
Unemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
, restoring the copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
industry of the islands, revitalizing the fishing industry, and re-opening schools closed 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 often held meetings with the native chiefs, who gave requests for new roads and projects, and voiced their concerns about island affairs.