American Samoa

New Governor For

Mr. Owen S. Aspinall, who has been Secretary of American

Samoa since November, 1962,

has been appointed to succeed Governor H. Rex Lee from

August 1.

PRESIDENT Johnson announced his appointment on June 28. He said Governor Lee would get a new government position—yet to be an nounced.

Governor Lee, 57, has been Gov ernor of the seven-island, 76 sq. mile territory since May, 1961 —the longest term in the history of US adminis tration of the islands.

Mr. Aspinall, 39, studied at Denver University and the American University (Washington), before serv ing with the 504th Parachute Regi ment, 82nd Airborne Division, in 1945-46. After a short period as a member of the US Capital Police Force, he became deputy district attorney of Mesa County, Colorado.

In January, 1962, he became Attorney-General of American Samoa.

Ten months later he was appointed Secretary (deputy governor) of the territory—a position he has held ever since.

Mr. Aspinall has frequently acted as governor during the absences of Governor Lee.

Last December, Mr. Aspinall married his Samoan secretary, formerly Miss Taotafa Lutu.

Mr. Aspinall.