Ivan Wettengel


Ivan Cyrus Wettengel was a United States Navy Captain who served as the 25th Naval Governor of Guam. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Wettengel commanded a number of ships. He received the Navy Cross for his command of during World War I. He also commanded and the Naval Training Station Hampton Roads. During his tenure as governor, he overturned many of the unpopular policies of William Gilmer. He also attempted to assemble a bull-mounted Guam Cavalry, but the initiative failed. A number of locations in Guam are named in his honor.

Life

Wettengel was born in Illinois in 1876. At the time of his appointment to the Naval Academy he lived in Colorado. His wife died on December 13, 1927 while he was stationed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

Naval career

Wettengel graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1896. Ensign Wettengel served aboard. He commanded in 1900. In 1902, while a lieutenant, he saw duty aboard. He served aboard in 1905 and in 1906. In 1914, he served aboard as a lieutenant commander. He commanded during World War I, for which he received the Navy Cross. He commanded from May 22, 1924 until September 28, 1925 when he became commander of Naval Training Station Hampton Roads. He retired at the rank of captain.

Governorship

Wettengel served as Naval Governor of Guam from July 7, 1920 to February 27, 1921. He overturned many of the policies of William Gilmer, the widely-criticized and dislike governor immediately prior to him. During his tenure, the Navy opened the first naval aviation station on the island at Orote Peninsula. He attempted a military experiment during his time in office by forming the Guam Cavalry. These units rode mounted bulls but the idea was abandoned when the bulls proved untrainable. He endorsed increasing medical aid to the island in an effort to in improving the "civilizing and Americanization" of the Chamorro people by making health care and sanitation more widespread.

Legacy

A number of locations on Guam are named in Wettengel's honor. Wettengel Elementary School, opened in 1968 in Dededo, Guam, briefly held the Eloy Q. Benavente Elementary School in 2008 before protest led school officials to re-affirm its original name in honor of Wettengel. Wettengel Rugby Field is also named in his honor. Okkodo High School used to be known as Wettengel High School.