Owen Aspinall

Owen Stuart Aspinall (September 21, 1927 – February 7, 1997) was an American attorney and politician who served as the 45th Governor of American Samoa from August 1, 1967, to July 31, 1969. He was born in Grand Junction, Colorado; his father was longtime United States Representative Wayne N. Aspinall. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Aspinall earned his Bachelor of Laws from American University. He served in three government positions before becoming the Governor of American Samoa: the Deputy District Attorney of Mesa County, Colorado; Attorney General of American Samoa; and eventually Secretary of American Samoa, the islands' equivalent of a lieutenant governor.

While governor, Aspinall dealt with a number of issues, including educational system reform and the subsequent resignation of many teachers and school personnel. He signed a bill from the American Samoa Fono that would eventually give American Samoa a Delegate to the United States House of Representatives in the 1980s. He made a number of controversial decisions, including forbidding Korean and Samoan intermarriage. He helped bring an end to extreme violence between Korean and Chinese fisherman in Samoan waters.

Life Aspinall was born on September 21, 1927, in Grand Junction, Colorado. His father was Wayne N. Aspinall, United States Representative from Colorado's 4th congressional district and his mother Julia Edith Kuns Aspinall. Following his military service, Aspinall attended the University of Denver, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology in 1949.

Along with traditionally garbed island chiefs, Aspinall was one of the first officials to greet and congratulate the crew of Apollo 10 after the success of their mission.

He drew criticism for forbidding a Samoan woman from marrying a Korean man; the two sued the governor. Aspinall defended his decision by stating he was keeping disgruntled fishermen from jumping ship in Samoa; he sought to keep Samoa "for Samoans", despite the fact that he married a Samoan woman himself.

Aspinall had to contend with violent clashes between Korean and Chinese ethnic groups who fought with knives and clubs off the shore. He requested riot gear to put down the violence. The incidents began when a Korean fishing boat rammed a Chinese one, ultimately causing it to sink in the storm . The governor had to separate Japanese, Chinese, and Korean vessels to keep the fishing companies running between the islands. At one point, Aspinall had to close the port of Pago Pago.

When Richard Nixon became President of the United States, Aspinall handed in a pro forma resignation, as the Secretary of the Interior was likely to soon replace him with a Republican.