USS Glennon (DD-620)

James Henry Glennon, born on 11 February 1857 at French Gulch, Calif., was appointed a cadet midshipman on 24 September 1874. After completing four years of coursework at the Naval Academy, he served as a midshipman in the Screw Sloops-of-War Lackawanna (1878-79) and Alaska (1879), the Screw Steamer Pensacola (1879-80) and later as an officer in the Screw Steamer Ranger (1881-85) and the Sloop-of-War Constellation (1885-88). Glennon commanded a forward gun turret in Massachusetts (BB-2) when on 4 July 1898 she joined Texas in sinking the Reina Mercedes in the Battle of Santiago. While serving as executive officer and navigator in Vicksburg (Gunboat No. 11), he participated in actions against the Philippine Insurgents. From 1912 to 1913, he was President of the Board of Naval Ordnance and of the Joint Army-Navy Board on Smokeless Powder.

Glennon served as Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard and Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory from 1915 to early 1917 when he was assigned as the Navy Department representative in a special mission to Russia under former Secretary of State Elihu Root. At the risk of his life, Glennon persuaded mutinous Russian sailors, who had commandeered ships-of-war in waters off Sevastopol, to restore authority to their officers. Upon completion of the mission to Russia, he took command of Battleship Division 5 with his flag in Connecticut (Battleship No. 18). Glennon was awarded the Navy Cross for meritorious service in this command, which included the instruction of midshipmen and thousands of recruits for duty as armed guard crews for merchant ships. On 17 September 1918, Glennon became Commandant of the Thirteenth Naval District and served in this position until 3 January 1919, when he reported for duty as Commandant of the Third Naval District at New York. Having reached the statutory age for retirement, Glennon transferred to the Retired List on 1 February 1921. Rear Admiral James Henry Glennon died at Washington, D.C., on 29 May 1940.

The first Glennon (DD-620) was laid down on 25 March 1942, at Kearny, N.J. by the Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.; launched on 26 August 1942; and sponsored by Miss Jeanne Lejeune Glennon, granddaughter of Rear Adm. James Henry Glennon.

Continue to the full service history →About 6,716 words

From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Glennon I (DD-620)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.