Tragic Death

In Pago

From “PlM’s” Pago Pago Correspondent American Samoa was shocked in August by news of the drowning of the territory’s Secretary and Lieu tenant Governor, Mr. Eric J. Scanlan, 43, during a picnic party with his family at Aumi Beach.

MR. SCANLAN got into difficulties after he waded into the surf with his two-year-old daughter, Rienette, on Saturday afternoon, August 11.

His wife Marian, his brother, Herbert Scanlan, Leonard Yandall and several others went to the rescue.

Mrs. Scanlan brought her daughter to the shore after a hard struggle, but by the time Scanlan was brought in resuscitation efforts were to no avail.

Herbert Scanlan was meanwhile carried out to sea by a strong rip and had to be rescued by a launch an hour later.

Mr. Scanlan was appointed Sec retary in July last year after a brilliant career in the US Air Force.

He was born in NZ and was part- Polynesian. Besides his young daughter he had a son, David, at school in Pago.

Mr. Scanlan played a prominent part in the organisation of the successful Fifth South Pacific Con ference which had concluded only a week before his tragic death, and he personally met and spoke to most of the Conference delegates. His son David acted as a voluntary steward and runner during the Con ference.

His body was flown to the US for burial in the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia.

Eric Scanlan photographed in Pago at a happier time, just before he left the Air Force.