Otto Dowling

Otto Carl Dowling
Governor of American Samoa
In office April 17, 1934 – January 15, 1936
Preceded by	Thomas Latimore
Succeeded by	Thomas Benjamin Fitzpatrick
Personal details
Born	February 28, 1881
Died	14 April 1946(1946-04-14) (aged 65) Trumbull, Connecticut
Spouse	Ora Dowling
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy
Occupation	Naval officer
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Rank	Captain
Commands	Naval arsenal at Iona Island; Lake Denmark Powder Depot

Otto Carl Dowling (February 28, 1881 – April 14, 1946) was a United States Navy Captain, and the governor of American Samoa from April 17, 1934, to January 15, 1936. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1903. Dowling served in World War I, before retiring. He was re-commissioned in World War II, serving as the commander of a naval ammunition depot on Iona Island in New York. He commanded the Lake Denmark Powder Depot, and was in charge when lightning struck the location, causing a large explosion of millions of dollars' worth of ammunition. A board of inquiry recommended him for the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in the situation.

He was Governor of American Samoa from 1934 to 1936. As Governor, he discriminated against the Samoan people, believing they had little ability to plan or administer, and were generally lazy. He abandoned a project on the island to train people in agricultural and sawmill skills.^[1] He shut down some local occupational training facilities, and outlawed the sale of alcohol to men under 18, and to all women.

Governor Dowling denied a resolution from the Eastern District that sought to establish a legislative assembly known as the Fono. However, this request was later approved by Governor Vernon Huber.^[2]