Ivan Wettengel

Ivan Cyrus Wettengel
25th Naval Governor of Guam
In office
July 7, 1920 – February 27, 1921
Preceded byWilliam Gilmer
Succeeded byJames Sutherland Spore
Personal details
Born1876
Illinois
DiedFebruary 19, 1935 (aged 58–59)
San Diego, California
Nationality United States
Spouse(s)Mary Syme Wettengel (1st Wife), Janet Buchanan Wettengel (2nd Wife)
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy
AwardsNavy Cross
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy Seal United States Navy
Rank Captain
CommandsUSS Mindoro
USS Wisconsin
USS Texas
Naval Training Station Hampton Roads
Battles/warsWorld War I

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

The bull-riding Guam Cavalry in 1920.

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.

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.


This page was last updated at 2023-12-27 04:25 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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