William Wirt Gilmer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 24th Naval Governor of Guam | |
| In office December 21, 1919 – July 7, 1920 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Hodgman |
| Succeeded by | Ivan Wettengel |
| 22nd Naval Governor of Guam | |
| In office November 15, 1918 – November 22, 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Roy Campbell Smith |
| Succeeded by | William A. Hodgman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 21, 1863 Chatham, Virginia |
| Died | January 8, 1955 (aged 91) Fletcher, North Carolina |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy |
| Awards | Navy Cross |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Commands | USS South Carolina |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
William Wirt Gilmer (May 21, 1863 – January 8, 1955) was a United States Navy Captain who served as both the 22nd and 24th Naval Governor of Guam. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he commanded the USS South Carolina during World War I, for which he received the Navy Cross. During his two terms as governor, he proved one of the most contentious leaders in Guam's history. He exercised a large amount of control over islanders' daily lives, including banning whistling and smoking and setting up a curfew. He came into conflict with prominent Americans and Washington Naval leaders when he outlawed marriage between whites and non-whites on the island, believing the Chamorro people inferior. Eventually, concerned islanders gained the attention of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, who had Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt personally order the rescinding of the act. Gilmer was removed for a short time before serving a second term.
During his second term, he continued making numerous edicts, eventually equaling 50 separate orders. He required all men over sixteen to carry identification cards, partially in an effort to wipe out the Spanish naming customs of adopting both the mother's and father's name. Seen as autocratic and abusive of his power, the Navy ultimately removed him from the post in 1920. A number of geographical features in Alaska, as well as a school in North Carolina, are named after him, largely during an expedition that he took part in to explore parts of the Alaskan islands.