Charles A. Pownall was born on October 4, 1887 in Atglen, Pennsylvania and after the graduation from high school, he received appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in June 1910 and was commissioned Ensign on that date. Pownall then served briefly aboard the battleships USS Mississippi, USS Missouri, USS Ammen, and USS Reid. He also participated in the Veracruz expedition in mid 1914.
"For distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the USS Vedette, engaged in the important exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines".
Interwar
During the 1920s, Lieutenant Commander Pownall served as the first commanding officer of the destroyer. He completed flight training, he was designated a naval aviator in 1927. He then served as navigator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and as air officer aboard the USS Lexington. Pownall later had duty on the staffs of Commander in Chief Battle Fleet and Commander Aircraft Squadrons Battle Fleet. From 21 Dec. 1938 - 21 March 1941 he commanded the aircraft carrier.
He helped organize much of the island's basic government, and also approved the flag of Guam and the seal of Guam.
Congressional walkout
In 1948, Pownall, along with the United States Secretary of the Navy, gave the Guam Congress the power to create laws, pending the governor's approval. The Secretary of the Navy had the power to override a veto from either the Guam Congress or Governor Pownall. When the Guam Congress attempted to pass a law allowing them to subpoenaAmerican citizens, Pownall vetoed it. Despite this, while investigating suspected abuses involving Americans owning businesses through Guamanian frontmen, the Congress subpoenaed Abe Goldstein over his involvement in a local womens clothing store. Citing Pownalls veto, Goldstein refused to testify. The Guam Congress cited Goldstein for contempt and issued a warrant for his arrest, but were stopped by Pownall. When confronted, Pownall told Guam Speaker of the HouseAntonio Borja Won Pat to leave the matter to him. When Won Pat passed on the information to the House Assembly, they became angered at Pownall's comments. Stirred by Pownall and with media support, the House resolved to pass a bill requesting citizenship for Guamanians, and decided not to reassemble until the United States Congress had addressed the bill. On March 12, Pownall called a special joint session of Congress, but most Congressional members refused to attend. Pownell dismissed all those Congressmen who chose to break the law by not attending, and appointed replacements. The dismissals caused outrage among Guamanians and 12 of Guams 19 villages voted not to recognize the replacements. President Harry Truman ordered an investigation into the incident. Upon review, Truman ordered a transitional government created, and pressured Pownall to restore the former Congressmen to their seats on 2 April 1948. In September 1949, administration of Guam was transferred to the United States Department of the Interior. Under the new government, the Governor of Guam was appointed by the President. Truman appointed Carlton S. Skinner as Guams first civilian Governor, replacing Pownall. Pownall was the last military governor of Guam.
Retirement
Pownall retired in October 1949 and was advanced to the rank of Vice admiral on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. He died on July 19, 1975 in San Diego, California and is buried at El Camino Memorial Park together with his wife, Mary Chenoweth Pownall.