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.
John Wills Greenslade | |
|---|---|
VADM John W. Greenslade, USN | |
| Born | January 11, 1880 Bellevue, Ohio, US |
| Died | January 6, 1950 (aged 69) Bellevue, Ohio, US |
| Buried | United States Naval Academy Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1899–1945 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Service number | 0-2969 |
| Commands held | Western Sea Frontier Twelfth Naval district USS Pennsylvania USS Galveston USS Housatonic USS Paducah |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Cuban Pacification Veracruz Expedition World War I
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| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit |
| Relations | RADM John F. Greenslade (son) |
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.