James A. Greer

James A. Greer (28 February, 1833 – 17 January, 1904) was an Admiral in the United States Navy who served during the Civil War.

Early years

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Greer enlisted in the Navy in 1848. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1853 and graduated as a Passed Midshipman the following year. After participating in the Paraguay Expedition, he cruised the west African coast until the outbreak of the Civil War.

Civil War

Greer was serving on board the USS "San Jacinto" on 7 November, 1861, when she stopped the British steamer "Trent" and removed the Confederate diplomatic commissioners on their way to Britain, thereby nearly drawing Great Britain into the war on the Confederate side. This incident became celebrated as the Trent Affair.

Greer served on the USS "St. Louis" from 1862 to 1863, and then was attached to Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's Mississippi Squadron.

While in command of the ironclads USS "Carondelet" and USS "Benton", he participated in the Vicksburg campaign and the shelling of Grand Gulf as well as the abortive Union Red River expedition.

After commanding the Naval Station at Mound City, Illinois, he assumed command of the USS "Blackhawk", and then was in charge of conveying Army transports up the Tennessee River.

Post-war service

A tour of duty as Assistant to the Commandant at Annapolis after the war was followed by command of USS "Mohongo" with the Pacific Squadron, where Greer was commended for "defending American interests" in Mexico. After a tour of duty at the Naval Academy between 1869 and 1873, Greer returned to the Pacific Station.

In 1873 he commanded the USS "Tigress" when that ship was sent to find and aid the ship "Polaris". The "Polaris" was wrecked on an Arctic expedition which had been led by Charles Francis Hall.

After special service in "Constitution" during the Paris Exposition, Greer held a variety of shore posts and then served as commander of the European Squadron from 1887 to 1889.

Promoted to Rear Admiral in 1892, he retired on 28 February, 1895. Admiral Greer died in Washington, D.C.

The destroyer USS "Greer" (DD-145) was named for him.

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