John S. Gleason Jr.
John S. Gleason Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 11, 1915 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 2, 1993 (aged 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, military officer, government official, Roman Catholic deacon |
| Years active | 1940s–1970s |
| Known for | Sixth Administrator of Veterans Affairs (1961–1965), National Commander of The American Legion (1957–1958) |
John S. Gleason Jr. (February 11, 1915 – May 2, 1993) was a prominent American banker who was convicted of fraud in 1977. He held the position of the sixth Administrator of Veterans Affairs between 1961 and 1965 and served as National Commander of The American Legion from 1957 to 1958. A highly decorated veteran of World War II, Gleason received the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, and three Bronze Star Medals. Following the war, he continued his military involvement as a senior officer in the United States Army Reserve.
Early life and education
Gleason was born in Chicago, Illinois, where his father was employed at the First National Bank of Chicago, the institution where Gleason later advanced his banking career. He completed his undergraduate studies at Notre Dame in 1940 and subsequently obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Military service
Interrupting his business pursuits, Gleason enlisted in the United States Army. By the conclusion of World War II, he had attained the rank of lieutenant colonel and participated in the New Guinea and Luzon operations with the 33d Infantry Division. Throughout the Cold War, he maintained active service in the reserve, eventually earning promotion to brigadier general.
The American Legion
In 1946, Gleason established the First National Bank of Chicago Post No. 985 within The American Legion's Illinois Department, serving as its inaugural commander. During his tenure as National Commander from 1957 to 1958, he prioritized educating young Americans on anti-communist principles.
Career
Appointed to lead Veterans Affairs in 1961, Gleason delivered the national address for Veterans Day in 1964. After stepping down in 1965, he resumed his role at First National Bank of Chicago as vice president responsible for business development and later served as CEO of Mercantile Bank from 1970 until 1976.
Bank fraud
In 1977, Gleason admitted guilt to charges of bank fraud involving the misuse of $500,000 from Mercantile Bank for personal use. Convicted on these charges, he received a three-year prison sentence and served eighteen months incarcerated.
Later life
Following his release, Gleason was ordained as a Roman Catholic deacon and became the first lay chaplain at Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Center. Additionally, he chaired the Board of Trustees at St. Francis Hospital located in Evanston.
Personal life
Gleason was married to Mary Jane Harrigan (1917–1998). Together they had six children: John S. "Jack" III, Daniel, Richard, Thomas, David, and Martin.
See also
- List of administrators of Veterans Affairs
- List of people from Chicago
- List of members of the American Legion
External links
- 1915 births
- 1993 deaths
- 20th-century Roman Catholics
- American businesspeople convicted of crimes
- American people convicted of fraud
- American bank presidents
- Businesspeople from Illinois
- Catholics from Illinois
- Harvard Business School alumni
- Illinois Democrats
- Kennedy administration personnel
- Lyndon B. Johnson administration personnel
- National commanders of the American Legion
- People from Chicago
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- American Roman Catholic deacons
- United States Army reservists
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs officials
- University of Notre Dame alumni
- United States Army personnel of World War II