Stephen Victor Graham (March 4, 1874 – September 2, 1955) was a United States Naval Rear Admiral and the

governor of American Samoa This is a list of governors, etc. of the part of the Samoan Islands (now comprising American Samoa) under United States administration since 1900. From 1900 to 1978 governors were appointed by the Federal government of the United States. Since ...

from September 9, 1927, to August 2, 1929. Graham attended the United States Naval Academy and served on numerous ships before being posted to the governorship. As governor, he established a strong charter for the former

Bank of American Samoa The Bank of American Samoa was founded in 1914 but since 2018 no longer exists. History In 1914 Governor C. D. Stearns established the bank in American Samoa, with its headquarters at Pago Pago. On 25 July 1929, under the direction of Governor of ...

and reworked Samoan fiscal law. After his governorship, he worked at the Naval Academy as the head of the Modern Languages department.

Life

Early life

Graham was born on March 4, 1874, in Cass County, Michigan.

Naval career

Graham was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Michigan on May 19, 1890. He graduated July 1, 1896, and received the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) on July 1, 1899. He served on , , USS ''Saratoga'', and . Later in his career, as a lieutenant commander, Graham headed the Department of Modern Languages at the United States Naval Academy. After retiring, Graham was awarded the rank of

rear admiral Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star "admiral" rank. It is often regarde ...

on March 3, 1931.

Governorship

On September 9, 1927, Graham became Governor of American Samoa. While in office, Graham rechartered the

and amended current fiscal laws for the island. He ceded the post to Gatewood Sanders Lincoln on August 2, 1929. Shortly after Captain Graham became governor, he received a letter from the Mau saying they would not pay any more taxes until a decision had been made regarding the “desire of the Samoa League for civil government.” Graham was invited to the Mau headquarters in

Nu'uuli Nu'uuli is a village on the central east coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located on a peninsula several miles up from Pago Pago International Airport. Nu’uuli is located between Pago Pago International Airport and Coconut Point. I ...

, where he told them not paying taxes would be an act of defiance. The Mau said they were not hostile to the Navy administration, but believed the time had come for a change. After governor Graham explained the “Samoa for Samoans” policy of the Navy, Mau members were so impressed and discontinued their taxation efforts.Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). ''A History of American Samoa''. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 204. .

Bibliography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Graham, Stephen Victor 1874 births 1955 deaths United States Navy rear admirals Governors of American Samoa United States Naval Academy faculty United States Naval Academy alumni People from Cass County, Michigan Military personnel from Michigan