George Landenberger
George Bertram Landenberger (May 12, 1879 – January 15, 1936) was a United States Navy Captain and the 23rd (and 21st unique) Governor of American Samoa, from May 12, 1932 to April 10, 1934. Landenberger commanded many ships during his naval career, as well as two naval yards. He received the Navy Cross for his actions commanding during World War I. He died of cancer in 1936, one year after retiring from military service. Life. Early life. Landenberger was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 12, 1879. Naval career. Landenberger attended the United States Naval Academy from Germantown, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania on May 10, 1896, graduating in 1900. As an ensign, he joined the United States Asiatic Fleet, eventually joining forces in the Philippines. Landenberger served on during 1906. In 1915, he served as a lieutenant commander on . Landenberger received the Navy Cross for his service as commanding officer of during the First World War. The citation read: "The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain George Landenberger, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Indiana, in the Atlantic Fleet." After "Indiana", Landenberger commanded two other ships, in 1930 and  in 1932, as well as the entire destroyer squadron of the Asiatic Fleet from 1924 to 1926. Right before becoming the governor of American Samoa, Landenberger was in the post of Chief of Staff of the 15th Naval District in the Panama Canal Zone. This followed an appointment to the command of the Naval Station on Goat Island. After serving as governor, he was reassigned as head of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Later life. Landenberger retired from service in 1935 to Haverford, Pennsylvania. December 10 of that year, Landenberger underwent treatment for lung problems, receiving several blood transfusions. He died  on January 15, 1936 of sarcoma of the chest. He died at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. Governorship. Landenberger became Governor of American Samoa on May 12, 1932, succeeding Gatewood Lincoln. He served until April 10, 1934.