John P. Gillis

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 USS Monticello (1859), USS Seminole (1859) and USS Ossipee (1861) 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.