John Greenslade

John Wills Greenslade (January 11, 1880 – January 6, 1950) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of vice admiral. He enjoyed a significant military career, participating in several conflicts and distinguished himself during World War I as commanding officer, USS Housatonic and during World War II as commander, Western Sea Frontier and commandant, Twelfth Naval district with headquarters at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

During World War II, Greenslade stirred up controversy, during his service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, when urged that American-born and alien Japanese be excluded from areas of strategic importance. On April 17, 1942, the Navy seized Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, from the City of San Francisco under the direction of Vice Admiral Greenslade, and paid no compensation for the confiscated island. Admiral Greenslade claimed Treasure Island was required for "national security" and appropriated the island for the Navy.

While in his junior year, Greenslade served as Midshipman during Spanish–American War and took part in the naval blockade of Havana, Cuba aboard cruiser USS Montgomery. He graduated as Passed Midshipman in August 1898 with Bachelor of Science degree and was attached to the gunboat USS Concord, operating along the coast of Bataan, Philippines during the Philippine–American War. Greenslade was commissioned ensign on January 28, 1901, after completing two years at sea, required then by law.

Greenslade was married three times: his first wife Marie Melanie died in 1936 and he had two sons from their marriage, John Francis (who also served in the Navy and retired as rear admiral) and Robert Wills. His second wife Marry Lee died in 1943 and his third wife Alma Rudd survived him and died in 1975.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral John W. Greenslade: