Preceded by Edmund Root Allegiance United States Name George Alexander Succeeded by Benjamin McCandlish | Nationality United States Rank Captain Died 1969 Service/branch United States Navy | |
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Alma mater United States Naval Academy Education Naval War College, United States Naval Academy Commands USS Medusa (AR-1), USS Arizona | ||
George Andrew Alexander (8 September 1884–1969) was a United States Navy Captain who served as the 35th Naval Governor of Guam. Prior to serving as governor, he commanded the USS Medusa. As Governor of Guam, he greatly changed the judicial system by purging the island of leftover Spanish laws and replacing them with the Code of Guam. He also led an unsuccessful campaign to obtain United States citizenship for all residents of Guam. After his term as governor, he commanded the USS Arizona before retiring.
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Life and naval career
Alexander grew up and lived most of his life in Ohio. He entered the United States Naval Academy from Ohio in 1902. He subsequently attended Naval War College. In 1929, he took command of the Naval Oceanographic Office in Seattle, Washington. Alexander left his command of USS Medusa to serve as Governor of Guam.
Following his post as governor, he commanded the USS Arizona from June 8, 1936 until December 11, 1937. Though the government of Guam recommended him for promotion to Rear Admiral, he retired from the Navy as a Captain.
Governorship
Alexander served as the governor from June 21, 1933 to March 27, 1936. He supported the local effort to obtain United States citizenship for all residents of Guam, sending a petition requesting the right and signed by 2,000 Guamanians to the President of the United States. He revolutionized the Guam legal system, replacing old Spanish-style laws with the Code of Guam, a set of laws based on the California Codes. Though the Guam Museum opened in 1933, Alexander officially made it a government institution by executive order.