Francis Greenlief
Encyclopedia
Major General Francis S. Greenlief was the 18th Chief of the National Guard Bureau
, serving in that office from 1 September 1971 until 23 June 1974.
Greenlief was born in Hastings, Nebraska
in 1921. He played Lineman with the University of Nebraska, but was unable to compete in the 1941 Rose Bowl
when his National Guard unit was mobilized for World War II
.
Greenlief served as a platoon leader
with the 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. He participated in the liberation of Saint-Lô
, France, and the Battle of the Bulge
. During the war, Greenlief earned a Silver Star
, a Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts
, and was promoted to company commander during the war.
Greenlief began his career at the National Guard Bureau in 1960, eventually serving as Bureau Chief from 1971-1974. During his time as Chief, MG Greenlief pushed for a more active role for the National Guard within the United States Army
, better benefits and equipment for National Guard soldiers, and for increased minority recruitment. The number of African-American guardsmen more than tripled during his tenure as Bureau Chief.
From 1974 to 1984, Greenlief served as head of the National Guard Association of the United States
. He died December 1999.
Chief of the National Guard Bureau
The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is the head of the National Guard Bureau, which is a joint activity of the Department of Defense , and is the highest ranking officer in the National Guard and the National Guard of the United States ; the latter of which is a joint reserve component of the...
, serving in that office from 1 September 1971 until 23 June 1974.
Greenlief was born in Hastings, Nebraska
Hastings, Nebraska
Hastings is a city in and the county seat of Adams County, Nebraska, United States. It is the principal city of the Hastings, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Adams and Clay counties. The population was 24,907 at the 2010 census...
in 1921. He played Lineman with the University of Nebraska, but was unable to compete in the 1941 Rose Bowl
1941 Rose Bowl
The 1941 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1941, was an American football bowl game. It was the 27th Rose Bowl Game with the #7 ranked Cornhuskers taking on the #2 ranked Stanford Indians. At the end of the 2009 college football season, this game stands as the only meeting between these two...
when his National Guard unit was mobilized for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Greenlief served as a platoon leader
Platoon leader
A platoon leader or platoon commander is the officer in command of a platoon. This person is usually a junior officer — a second or first lieutenant, or an equivalent rank. The officer is usually assisted by a platoon sergeant...
with the 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. He participated in the liberation of Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
, France, and the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
. During the war, Greenlief earned a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, a Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and was promoted to company commander during the war.
Greenlief began his career at the National Guard Bureau in 1960, eventually serving as Bureau Chief from 1971-1974. During his time as Chief, MG Greenlief pushed for a more active role for the National Guard within the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, better benefits and equipment for National Guard soldiers, and for increased minority recruitment. The number of African-American guardsmen more than tripled during his tenure as Bureau Chief.
From 1974 to 1984, Greenlief served as head of the National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of the United States
The National Guard Association of the United States was founded in 1878 as a congressional lobbying organization for National Guard issues. A member of the Military Coalition, NGAUS lobbies on behalf of 45,000 officers who comprise the membership of the organization...
. He died December 1999.