James Henry Glennon
American naval rear admiral and Navy Cross recipient
About James Henry Glennon
Lived 1857 – 1940 (aged 83). James Henry Glennon was an American military officer.
James Henry Glennon (11 February 1857 – 29 May 1940) was a United States Navy officer. He saw action in the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War, and World War I.
Early life and career, to World War I Born in French Gulch, California, he was appointed a cadet midshipman on 24 September 1874. He served as a midshipman in , and , and later as an officer in Ranger (1881–85) and (1885–88).
He commanded a forward gun turret in the battleship when she and sank the on 4 July 1898.
While executive officer and navigator in the gunboat , he participated in the actions against the Philippine insurgents.
During 1912 to 1913 he was President of the Board of Naval Ordnance and of the Joint Army-Navy Board on smokeless powder.
World War I and postwar period He served as Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard and Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory from 1915 to early 1917 when he was appointed the Navy Department representative in a special mission under Elihu Root being sent to Russia. At the risk of his life, Glennon persuaded mutinous Russian sailors who had taken over Russian ships-of-war in the waters of Sevastopol, to restore command to their officers. After completing the mission to Russia, he took command of Battleship Division 5 with his flag in the battleship .
He was awarded the Navy Cross for meritorious service in this command, including the instruction of midshipmen and thousands of recruits for duty as armed guard crews of merchant ships. Detached from this duty on 17 September 1918, he became Commandant of the 13th Naval District until 3 January 1919, then was Commandant of the 3rd Naval District at New York. Having reached the statutory age for retirement, he was transferred to the Retired List on 1 February 1921.
Rear Admiral James Henry Glennon died at Washington, D.C., 29 May 1940, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Namesakes
, a , and , a , were named after Admiral Glennon.
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Important facts
People in James Henry Glennon's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Henry Glennon's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Henry Glennon?
American naval rear admiral and Navy Cross recipient (1857–1940)
When was James Henry Glennon born?
James Henry Glennon was born on 11 February 1857 in French Gulch.
When did James Henry Glennon die?
James Henry Glennon died on 29 May 1940 in Washington, D.C..
What was James Henry Glennon's occupation?
James Henry Glennon was a military officer.
What nationality was James Henry Glennon?
James Henry Glennon was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: James Henry Glennon
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Henry Glennon. https://biography.guide/james-henry-glennon/
MLA: "James Henry Glennon." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-henry-glennon/.
Chicago: "James Henry Glennon." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-henry-glennon/.
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