John S. Gleason Jr.

John Gleason
6th Administrator of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 30, 1961 – January 1, 1965
PresidentJohn F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded bySumner G. Whittier
Succeeded byWilliam J. Driver
National Commander of the American Legion
In office
1957–1958
Preceded byDan Daniel
Succeeded byPreston Moore
Personal details
Born
John Simon Gleason Jr.

(1915-02-11)February 11, 1915
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMay 2, 1993(1993-05-02) (aged 78)
Hines, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMary Jane Harrigan
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame (BA)
Harvard University (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1941–1946 (Active)
1946–1973 (Reserve)
Rank Lieutenant Colonel (Active)
Brigadier General (Reserve)
Battles/warsWorld War II
Asiatic-Pacific Theater
 • New Guinea campaign
 • Luzon Campaign
Awards Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star (2 OLCs)

John S. Gleason Jr. (February 11, 1915 – May 2, 1993) was an American banker convicted of fraud in 1977. He previously served as the sixth Administrator of Veterans Affairs, from 1961 to 1965, and the National Commander of The American Legion from 1957 to 1958. He was a decorated World War II veteran, having received the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, and three Bronze Star Medals. After the war, he served as a senior officer in the United States Army Reserve.