Henry Francis Bryan

Henry Francis Bryan
17th Governor of American Samoa
In office March 17, 1925 – September 9, 1927
Preceded by	Edward Stanley Kellogg
Succeeded by	Stephen Victor Graham
Personal details
Born	May 3, 1865 Cincinnati, Ohio
Died	1944
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy
Occupation	Naval officer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	USS Monocacy Special Service Squadron Office of Naval Intelligence

Henry Francis Bryan (May 3, 1865 – 1944) was a United States Navy Rear Admiral and the 17th Governor of American Samoa. He served as governor from March 17, 1925 to September 9, 1927. Bryan was one of only three naval governors of the territory who had retired from naval service before serving as governor, the others being John Martin Poyer and his immediate predecessor, Edward Stanley Kellogg. In the Navy, he had numerous commands, and served in the Spanish–American War. His largest command was the Special Service Squadron.

Life

Early life

Bryan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 3, 1865.^[1]

Naval career

Bryan became a cadet at the United States Naval Academy on May 2, 1883,^[2] and graduated in 1887.^[3][4] He served on both the USS Isla de Luzon and the USS Newark.^[5] He also served on the USS Monocacy,^[6] which he commanded.^[7] Bryan fought in the Spanish–American War. After serving as governor of American Samoa, Bryan returned to the Navy. There, he was given command of the Special Service Squadron, which patrolled the Caribbean Sea. In 1921, he and his squadron were commanded to protect United States interests during contention in Costa Rica and Panama.^[8] He also filled a post in the Office of Naval Intelligence.^[9]

Governorship

Bryan assumed the governorship on March 17, 1925. While governor, he established the American Samoa Department of Communications.^[10] Bryan was one of only three naval governors of the territory who had retired from naval service before serving as governor, the others being John Martin Poyer and Edward Stanley Kellogg.^[11]

References

1. Sorensen, Stan; Joseph Theroux. "The Samoan Historical Calendar 1606-2007" (PDF). Office of the Governor of American Samoa. p. 109. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
2. Hamersly, Lewis Randolph (1902). The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. L.R. Hamersly. p. 305. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
3. "The Naval Graduates; Forty-Four Cadets To Leave the Annapolis Academy To-day". The New York Times. 10 June 1887. p. 2. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
4. "Naval Intelligence". The New York Times. 1 July 1889. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
5. "Trial Gun Tests Postponed". The New York Times. 30 March 1901. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
6. "Army and Navy News". The New York Times. 17 August 1889. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
7. Maclay, Edward Stanton (1902). A History of the United States Navy from 1775 to 1902. 3. D. Appleton. p. 438. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
8. "Two Warships Ordered to Protect American Interests in Disturbed Zone". The New York Times. 6 March 1921. p. 1. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
9. Official Congressional Directory for the Use of the United States Congress. Washington, D.C.: United States Congress. 1912. p. 247. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
10. Sorensen, Stan (21 December 2007). "Historical Notes" (PDF). Tapuitea: Official American Samoa Government Weekly Newspaper. Government of American Samoa. II (31): 2. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
11. "Commander John Martin Poyer: March 1, 1915 - June 10, 1919". Government of American Samoa. 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.