Charles Alan Pownall

Charles Alan Pownall (October 4, 1887 – July 19, 1975) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy and Governor of Guam (May 30, 1946 – September 27, 1949). He was the third military Governor and first naval Governor of Guam following the United States recapture of the island from the Japanese. After conflict with the Guam Congress in 1948, Pownall replaced many Congressmen with his own appointments, whom the Guamanians refused to recognize. The ensuing protest persuaded President Truman to transfer control of the island away from the Navy. As a consequence, Charles Pownall was the last military governor of Guam.

Interwar During the 1920s, Lieutenant Commander Pownall served as the first commanding officer of the destroyer . He completed flight training and was designated a naval aviator in 1927. He then served as navigator aboard the aircraft carrier and as air officer aboard the . Pownall later had duty on the staffs of Commander in Chief Battle Fleet and Commander Aircraft Squadrons Battle Fleet. From 21 December 1938 to 21 March 1941, he commanded the aircraft carrier .

World War II During World War II, Pownall commanded the fast aircraft carrier Task Group 50.1 in the Pacific Theater with the aircraft carrier as his flagship. He was in command of Task Force 50.1 when it raided the Japanese positions on Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands on 18 September 1943 in preparation for the American invasion that would follow in November 1943. Pownall distinguished himself in the early phase of the Gilbert Islands campaign and received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Pownall subsequently commanded Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet before he was ordered back to the United States to command Naval Air Training Command. For his service in the later capacity, Pownall received the Legion of Merit.

In September 1945, Pownall was ordered back to the Pacific area and served as Commander Naval Forces Marianas with additional duty as military Governor of Guam from 30 May 1946. In addition to his wartime decorations, he was decorated with the Navy Commendation Medal and two Navy Presidential Unit Citations.

Governorship Powmall helped organize much of Guam's basic government, and also approved the flag of Guam and the seal of Guam.

Congressional walkout Pownall sitting on the Guam Island Court in 1947In 1948, Pownall, along with the United States Secretary of the Navy, gave the Guam Congress the power to create laws, pending the governor's approval. The Secretary of the Navy had the power to override a veto from either the Guam Congress or Governor Pownall. When the Guam Congress attempted to pass a law allowing them to subpoena American citizens, Pownall vetoed it. On March 12, Pownall called a special joint session of Congress, but most Congressional members refused to attend. Pownall dismissed all those Congressmen who chose to break the law by not attending, and appointed replacements. President Harry Truman ordered an investigation into the incident. Upon review, Truman ordered a transitional government created, and pressured Pownall to restore the former Congressmen to their seats on 2 April 1948.

Awards Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Navy Commendation Medal Presidential Unit Citation with star (2 awards) World War I Victory Medal with "ESCORT" clasp American Defense Service Medal with "FLEET" clasp American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal