Frank Barnett

Frank Elliott Barnett (July 20, 1933 – July 15, 2016) was the governor of American Samoa from October 1, 1976, to May 27, 1977. Before becoming governor, he was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and a Tennessee attorney. He served as the first lieutenant governor of American Samoa for two years prior to his governorship.

Barnett stepped down early at the request of the United States Department of the Interior, which sought the return of former Governor H. Rex Lee to ensure a smooth transition between Interior-appointed and locally elected governors. Lee was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to modernize American Samoa and eliminate its reputation as “America’s shame in the South Pacific.”

Barnett graduated from Knoxville High School in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1950. He served in the United States Marine Corps. Barnett went to University of Tennessee and later received his law degree in 1959 from University of Tennessee College of Law. He practiced law in Knoxville, Tennessee and was involved with the Republican Party.

Barnett's wife was Carolyn Barnett. They had two children.