Preceded by Henry Francis Bryan Name Stephen Graham Occupation Naval officer Succeeded by Gatewood Lincoln | Allegiance United States Rank Rear Admiral | |
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Alma mater United States Naval Academy Died September 2, 1955, Los Angeles, California, United States Education United States Naval Academy Commands USS Cincinnati (C-7), SS Finland | ||
Service/branch United States Navy | ||
Stephen Victor Graham (March 4, 1874 – September 2, 1955) was a United States Naval Rear Admiral and the 18th Governor of American Samoa 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 and reworked Samoan fiscal law. After his governorship, he worked at the Naval Academy as the head of the Modern Languages department.
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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 the USS Cincinnati, USS Adams, USS Saratoga, and the USS Rainbow. 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 on March 3, 1931.
Governorship
On September 9, 1927, Graham became Governor of American Samoa. While in office, Graham rechartered the Bank of American Samoa and amended current fiscal laws for the island. He ceded the post to Gatewood Sanders Lincoln on August 2, 1929.