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Charles Armijo Woodruff
At Annapolis in 1906
Governor of American Samoa
In office December 6, 1914 – March 1, 1915
Preceded by	Nathan Post
Succeeded by	John Martin Poyer
Personal details
Born	January 12, 1884 Santa Fe, New Mexico
Died	November 23, 1945(1945-11-23) (aged 61) Hotel Bossert, Brooklyn, New York City
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy
Occupation	Ship captain
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Rank	Commander
Commands	USS Pampanga (PG-39)

Charles Armijo Woodruff (January 12, 1884 – November 23, 1945) was a United States Navy officer and the governor of American Samoa from December 6, 1914, to March 1, 1915. He captained multiple ships in both the Navy and the United States Merchant Marine. He served only briefly as governor, for a few months before ceding the office to John Martin Poyer.

Life

Woodruff was born on January 12, 1884, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the son of Charles Woodruff and Louise (Duff) Woodruff. After leaving the United States Navy, Woodruff became a part of the United States Merchant Marine, captaining a ship. On November 23, 1945, Woodruff died by suicide by hanging in an apartment in Hotel Bossert, Brooklyn, New York City, using the venetian blinds cord in his room. A suicide note claimed he had killed himself because he had no means of making money and "missed his boat", and that suicide provided the "easiest way out".

Naval career

Woodruff was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Pennsylvania on September 24, 1902. In 1906, he commanded the USS Pampanga (PG-39) as a Lieutenant (junior grade). Woodruff retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander.

Governorship

Woodruff relieved Nathan Post of the governor's office on December 6, 1914, serving until March 1, 1915.

References

1. ^ "Lieutenant Charles Armijo Woodruff". Governors. Government of American Samoa. 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
2. ^ "Ship Captain Ends Life: Despondent, He Hangs Himself in Room in a Brooklyn Hotel". The New York Times. New York City. The New York Times Company. 24 November 1945. p. 21.
3. List and station of the commissioned and warrant officers of the Navy of the United States: and of the Marine Corps, on the active list, and officers on the retired list employed on active duty. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. 1898. p. 48. Retrieved 30 June 2010. Charles Armijo Woodruff.
4. United States Congressional Serial Set. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. 1912. p. 42. Retrieved 30 June 2010.

v t e Governors of American Samoa
Commandant (1900–1905)	Tilley Sebree Minett Underwood
Naval (1905–1951)	Moore Parker Crose Post Stearns Post Woodruff Poyer Terhune Evans Pollock Kellogg Bryan Graham Lincoln Spore Emerson Lincoln Landenberger Latimore Dowling Fitzpatrick Milne Hanson Wallace Wild Larsen (alongside Wild) Moyer Hobbs Hungerford Canan Houser Huber Darden
Civil (1951–1978)	Phelps Elliott Ewing Judd Lowe Coleman Lee Aspinall Haydon Mockler Ruth Barnett Lee
Elected (since 1978)	Coleman Lutali Coleman Lutali Sunia Tulafono Moliga Mauga Pula (elect)

• 1884 births
• 1945 deaths
• Governors of American Samoa
• United States Naval Academy alumni
• Suicides by hanging in New York City
• United States Merchant Mariners
• United States Navy officers
• Politicians from Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Military personnel from New Mexico
• American politicians who died by suicide
• American military personnel who died by suicide
• Suicides in New York City