John P. Gillis

John P. Gillis
Born (1803-09-06)September 6, 1803
Wilmington, Delaware
Died February 25, 1873(1873-02-25) (aged 69)
Wilmington, Delaware
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 18251866
Rank Commodore
Commands held USS Monticello
USS Seminole
USS Ossipee
Battles/wars Mexican–American War
American Civil War

John P. Gillis (6 September 1803 25 February 1873) was an Commodore in the United States Navy, whose service extended from the mid-1820s through the end of the American Civil War.

Biography

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Gillis was appointed midshipman in 1825. He served with distinction in the Mexican-American War at the capture of Tuxpan. In 1853-54, he sailed with Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedition to open Japan to the West. During the Civil War he commanded Monticello, Seminole and Ossipee in the Union blockade, and subsequently was on duty at New York until retiring in 1866.

Commodore Gillis died in the city of his birth.

Namesake

The destroyer USS Gillis (DD-260) was named for him and Rear Admiral James Henry Gillis.

References


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