John Glen

John Glen

About John

Johnny (John) J. Glenn, Jr. was born and raised in St. Louis and currently lives in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970 and served 21 years, which included one combat tour in Vietnam. Within nine years he was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, and after eleven years he was appointed a Warrant Officer and later commissioned a First Lieutenant. His duties in the USMC were varied and included Recruiting Duty and service as Personnel and Legal Officers and custodian for three Million archived USMC records at the Nation Records Center. Throughout his career he served as a volunteer leader for the American Red Cross, the Navy Relief and Combined Federal Campaigns. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars, National Defense Medal with one bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm and the RVN Civil Actions Medal 2C.

Upon separation, he began a twenty-three year career with the United Way of Greater St. Louis. He rose from Director, East-west Gateway Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) to Vice president West Region. As CFC director, he organized and trained 3,000 volunteers annually to raise more than $25 million from federal employees. He chaired and hosted national Million Dollar Roundtables in San Diego, CA. and Las Vegas, NV. The United Way team on which he served, raised nearly $1.5 billion during his career. The East-West Gateway Campaign was ranked among the top ten of more than 300 campaigns in the world.

John was heavily involved in the Community through memberships in the major chambers of commerce in St. Charles County and through his personal service on the boards of organizations such as the St. Charles County Community Council, St. Charles County Vision Leadership, SSM St. Joseph Hospital West Advisory Board, Focus Leadership St. Louis, Focus Impact Fellow, and Guardian Angels Settlement Agency (St. Louis). He continues to serve as a St. Charles County Executive appointee on the Community Assistance Board and subsequently served as president for three years. Additional Community recognition includes a Proclamation from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen recognizing support of their Christmas programs and selection as the 2021 Honored Visionary of the Year by St. Charles County Vision Leadership.

As a member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), he continues to serve veterans. He has served as president for both the local chapter and the State council of chapters. John led two Advocacy in Action campaigns and participated on three teams that petitioned our congressional delegation to ensure that veterans receive a full measure of America’s promise. He serves on the Gateway Community Veterans Engagement Board which, along with MOAA, have collectively provided more than $100 thousand in direct emergency assistance, and through Toys for Tots, and the United Way 100 Neediest program. John is currently the Surviving Spouse Coordinator for the MOAA Council of Chapters and the Board Secretary for the Guardian Hills Veterans Healing Center. 

In 2020, John was Named the Honored Veteran of the Year by the Missouri Rotary Club and the Missouri Athletic Club and has been inducted into Missouri’s third class of the Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame, which recognizes exceptional military and Community service.

John is Married, the father of two and the grandfather of three.

Guardian Hills Veterans Healing Center Brick Fundraiser

The bricks will be utilized to create a patio surrounding the Guardian Hills Fireplace.