Clark Daniel Stearns

Clark Daniel Stearns (January 15, 1870 – May 25, 1944) was the Naval Governor of American Samoa. Stearns commanded various vessels, on which he set up organized committees for the crew to give suggestions to the officers. He hoped to alleviate tensions between the enlisted men and officers. However, upon his appointment to the battleship , he was removed from command of these activities.

Stearns relieved Nathan Woodworth Post as Governor of American Samoa on July 14, 1913, and helped the Samoans achieve more involvement in government. He received a medal from the Japanese Red Cross, as well as the Navy Distinguished Service Medal during his career. He retired at the rank of Captain.

Life and career Stearns was born in Big Rapids, MeCosta County, Michigan. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1893. He died on May 25, 1944, aboard a submarine chaser off Miami, Florida, of a coronary thrombosis.

Naval career In 1918, Stearns was posted to , a civilian ship converted into a minelayer, where he eventually took command. While in command, Stearns allowed the crew to form two organized committees, one for the petty officers, and another composed of one man from each enlisted division. These committees investigated questionable rulings regarding minor disciplinary actions, and to make complaints and suggestions about the "health, happiness and comfort of the ship's company." After petitions from various Admirals of the United States Atlantic Fleet, Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby stripped Stearns of command, and transferred him to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility,

After the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, Stearns led the emergency relief efforts, and received a medal from the Japanese Red Cross; he sent this medal back to Japan following the Attack on Pearl Harbor.

Governorship Stearns became the ninth Governor of American Samoa on July 14, 1913, relieving Nathan Woodworth Post. While Governor, he set up three committees to aid Samoans in becoming more involved in government. These committees were "Committee A: Executive Committee, consisting of District Governors; Committee B: Committee of the Samoan Hospital, with three members from each district, and Committee C: Auditing Committee, to give the fullest publicity to the statement of government accounts." Stearns gave command back to Lt. Post on October 2, 1914.

Governor Stearns founded American Sāmoa's first bank by subscribing US$5,000 in government capital and appointing a civilian manager. Adoption was gradual among Samoans, but the institution proved a boon to local merchants and the territorial economy.