Laurence Wild

Laurence Wild (May 1, 1890 – May 26, 1971) was a United States Navy Captain, college basketball player and coach, and the governor of American Samoa from August 8, 1940, to June 5, 1942. Wild was born in Wilber, Nebraska, He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1913; while there he played for the Navy Midshipmen basketball team, and was named a 1913 NCAA Basketball All-American. He returned as head coach of the team for one year (1913–14), coaching for ten games and winning all of them.

While a Lieutenant Commander, Wild served as a communications officer for Submarine Squadron 11. President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt recommended Wild for the rank of captain in 1939. On March 13, 1941, Wild ordered the construction of an airfield on the main island.

He died in Coronado, California on May 26, 1971.