Nathan Woodworth Post (August 3, 1881 – May 30, 1938) was the governor of American Samoa. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1904, and commanded USS Detroit and the Naval Recruiting Station in Omaha, Nebraska. He served two terms as governor: from March 14 to July 14, 1913, and from October 2 to December 16, 1914. He is the first American Samoan governor to serve to two non-consecutive terms.
Post was born in Fonda, Iowa on August 3, 1881.[1] His son was Nathan Topliff Post, a United States Marine Corps World War II ace.[2]
Post was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Nebraska in 1900.[3] He graduated in 1904, and served two years as a midshipman at sea before receiving his commission.[4]
As an ensign, Post served on USS Louisiana.[5] Post served as the personnel officer of the 12th Naval District.[6] In 1910, he was in charge of the Naval Recruiting Station in Omaha, Nebraska.[7] He was made a commander in 1916.[8] In 1922 he was placed in command of USS Farragut in San Diego, California. In 1931, he was placed in command of USS Detroit.[9] Post retired from active duty on February 1, 1937.[10]
Post relieved William Michael Crose of the governorship on March 14, 1913, serving until July 14 of the same year. He served a second term from October 2 to December 16, 1914. This made him the first Governor of American Samoa to serve exactly two non-consecutive terms; the only other ever to do so was Gatewood Lincoln.[1]
After his death, Post was interred at San Francisco National Cemetery on June 20, 1938.[11]
Nathan Woodworth Post.
| Commandant (1900–1905) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Naval (1905–1951) | ||
| Civil (1951–1978) | ||
| Elected (since 1978) | ||
