Jesse Wallace

Who was Jesse Wallace?

Jesse Rink Wallace was a United States Navy Captain and the 29th Governor of American Samoa. He served as Governor for a period of only ten days from July 30, 1940 to August 8, 1940. Wallace was born in Beardstown, Illinois on July 7, 1899. On June 20, 1918, Wallace was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Illinois. After his brief time as Governor, Wallace became the chief of staff to the Commandant of the Ninth Naval District. Wallace retired in 1952 and died on January 29, 1961; he was buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery.