# Ivan Wettengel

Ivan Cyrus Wettengel (1876 – February 19, 1935) was a United States Navy captain who served as the 25th Naval Governor of Guam. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Wettengel commanded a number of ships. He received the Navy Cross for his command of USS Wisconsin during World War I. He also commanded USS Texas and the Naval Training Station Hampton Roads. During his tenure as governor, he overturned many of the unpopular policies of William Gilmer. He also attempted to assemble a bull-mounted Guam Cavalry, but the initiative failed. A number of locations in Guam are named in his honor.

## Life

Wettengel was born in Illinois in 1876. At the time of his appointment to the Naval Academy he lived in Colorado.

## Career

Wettengel graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1896. Ensign Wettengel served aboard USS Buffalo. He commanded USS Mindoro in 1900. In 1902, while a lieutenant, he saw duty aboard USS Constellation. He served aboard USS Newark in 1905 and USS Minnesota in 1906. In 1914, he served aboard USS Arkansas as a lieutenant commander. He commanded USS Wisconsin during World War I, for which he received the Navy Cross.
In 1917, Wettengel was promoted to the rank of captain.
On April 12, 1918, Wettengel commanded USS Montana (ACR-13).
He commanded USS Texas from May 22, 1924, until September 28, 1925, when he became commander of Naval Training Station Hampton Roads. He retired at the rank of captain.

## Governorship

Wettengel served as Naval Governor of Guam from July 7, 1920, to February 27, 1921. He overturned many of the policies of William Gilmer, the widely criticized and dislike governor immediately prior to him. During his tenure, the Navy opened the first naval aviation station on the island at Orote Peninsula. He attempted a military experiment during his time in office by forming the Guam Cavalry. These units rode mounted bulls but the idea was abandoned when the bulls proved untrainable. He endorsed increasing medical aid to the island in an effort to in improving the "civilizing and Americanization" of the Chamorro people by making health care and sanitation more widespread. Ivan Cyrus Wettengel was a significant figure in Guam's history, known for his contributions to education and cultural preservation on the island. Here are some notable things associated with Wettengel's contributions to Guam and the Chamorro people:
1.Education: Wettengel was instrumental in advancing education on the island. He served as the Superintendent of the Guam Department of Education in the early 20th century. Under his leadership, improvements were made to the educational system, including the establishment of more schools and the implementation of modern teaching methods.
2.Chamorro Language and Culture: Wettengel was a proponent of preserving the Chamorro language and culture. He advocated for the inclusion of Chamorro language and cultural studies in the school curriculum, helping to ensure that future generations of Chamorros would have the opportunity to learn and appreciate their heritage.
3.Literature: Wettengel was also a writer and author, contributing to the literary scene on Guam. He wrote several books and articles, often focusing on Chamorro folklore, history, and culture. His works helped to document and preserve aspects of Chamorro oral traditions and storytelling for future generations.
Overall, Ivan Cyrus Wettengel's contributions played a significant role in the educational and cultural development of Guam, particularly in the promotion and preservation of Chamorro language and heritage.

## Personal life

Wettengel's wife died on December 13, 1927, while he was stationed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

## Legacy

A number of locations on Guam are named in Wettengel's honor. Wettengel Elementary School, opened in 1968 in Dededo, Guam, briefly held the Eloy Q. Benavente Elementary School in 2008 before protest led school officials to re-affirm its original name in honor of Wettengel. Wettengel Rugby Field is also named in his honor. Okkodo High School used to be known as Wettengel High School.