Francis Greenlief

Early life

Francis Stevens Greenlief was born in Hastings, Nebraska on July 17, 1921. He graduated from Hastings High School and played football as a Lineman for the University of Nebraska, but was unable to compete in the 1941 Rose Bowl when his Nebraska National Guard unit was mobilized for World War II.

World War II

Greenlief graduated from Officer Candidate School and served as a platoon leader and company commander with the 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. He participated in the Battle of Normandy, liberation of Saint-Lô, and the Battle of the Bulge. During the war, Greenlief earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star Medal, four Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four battle stars, and the Croix de Guerre of France.

Post World War II

In 1947 Greenlief returned to the Nebraska National Guard as commander of Company G, 134th Infantry Regiment. Greenlief continued to advance through command and staff assignments in Nebraska, including Chief of Staff of the 34th Infantry Division and acting assistant adjutant general of Nebraska. He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1955.

National Guard Bureau

Greenlief was a colonel when he began his career at the National Guard Bureau in 1960 as executive officer of the Army Division. He served as chief of the Army Division from 1962 to 1963 as a brigadier general, and was succeeded by Charles L. Southward. In 1963 he became deputy director of the National Guard Bureau. In 1970 the position of director of the Army National Guard was created as a major general's position, and Greenlief was selected, succeeding Leonard C. Ward, who had been serving as chief of the Army Division. The position of deputy director was also created as a brigadier general's assignment, and Ward was selected

In 1969 Greenlief qualified in the Aviation branch and received the Army Aviator Badge.

He served as chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1971 to 1974. During his time as chief, 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.

Awards and decorations

In addition to his World War II combat awards, Greenlief was a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal and Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.

In 1999 the Governor of Nebraska announced that Greenlief had received a state promotion to lieutenant general to acknowledge his long service and superior performance of duty.

Post military career

From 1974 to 1984, Greenlief served as executive vice president of the National Guard Association of the United States. He later worked as a consultant for several defense contracting firms, including United Defense of York, Pennsylvania.

Death and burial

In retirement Greenlief resided in Oakton, Virginia. He died from cancer at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia on December 19, 1999. Greenlief is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 30, Grave 950-B.

Legacy

The Nebraska National Guard's facility in Hastings is named the Francis S. Greenlief Training Site.

The Army National Guard presents the annual Francis S. Greenlief Award for Excellence in Aviation.