Education
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1903. Dowling attended the United States Naval Academy from New York, beginning in 1898 and graduating in 1903.
officer Governor of American Samoa
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1903. Dowling attended the United States Naval Academy from New York, beginning in 1898 and graduating in 1903.
Dowling served in World War I, before retiring. He was re-commissioned in World World War II, serving as the commander of a naval ammunition depot on Iona Island in New New York He commanded the Lake Denmark Powder Depot, and was in charge when lightning struck the location, causing a large explosion of millions of dollars" worth of ammunition.
A board of inquiry recommended him for the for his bravery in the situation.
As Governor, he discriminated against the Samoan people, believing they had little ability to plan or administer, and were generally lazy. He abandoned a project on the island to train people in agricultural and sawmill skills.
He shut down some local occupational training facilities, and outlawed the sale of alcohol to men under 18, and to all women. He died on April 14, 1946 in Trumbull, Connecticut after he suffered a heart attack while driving.
Dowling served in both World War I, where he obtained his Captain rank.
Soon after the war, he retired from the United States Navy, but returned to active duty in World World War II, and was placed in command of the Naval arsenal on Iona Island. He was in charge of the Lake Denmark Powder Depot when an explosion occurred there in 1926. Both Dowling and a United States Marine Corps Private First Class were caught in the blast.
Dowling was temporarily blinded, badly burned, and used a wheelchair for a time afterward.
Dowling was Governor of American Samoa from April 17, 1934 to January 15, 1936. Dowling"s administration continued certain policies of racism toward the native Samoans, who he believed had little work ethic or ability to plan for the future.
As such, he treated the Samoan race as a people who needed safety nets. Dowling claimed, "Our policy of Samoa for the Samoans—no alienation of lands and no exploitation of natives—has been rigidly adhered to. as such a policy assures the existence of the Samoan race which otherwise could not stand competition from the energetic races." Dowling viewed the slow adoption of the English language after thirty-five years of occupation to be troublesome.
Dowling outlawed the sale of alcohol to all men below the age of eighteen, and to all women on the island.
When asked if he would approve the formation of a legislative body for the island, he claimed that such a thing would require an act of the United States Congress. This stance was reversed when Governor Vernon Huber approved the American Samoa Fono. Dowling died on April 14, 1946 in Trumbull, Connecticut.
He was driving a car on Merritt Parkway when he had a heart attack.
Dowling successfully pulled the car to the side of the road, but died a few minutes later. At the time of his death, he had been living in Pelham, New New York
He served as the senior member of the Naval Alaskan Coal Commission.