Major General John J. Salesses, Ph.D. (Jay) was born in Providence, RI on February 13, 1933, a son of the late William and Alice (McConnell) Salesses. He was raised in Providence and, while in high school, spent summers in Bristol, RI, working at the Rhode Island Soldiers’ Home. He attended Henry Barnard School, graduated from LaSalle Academy, earned an A.B. in Letters from Providence College, and earned both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Rhode Island.
After graduating from Providence College, he pursued a career in the U. S. Marine Corps. Jay rose to the rank of Major General and became the first Marine Reserve General Officer to be assigned as the Commanding General of a Marine Division, which consisted of over 30,000 Marines, both active and reserve. He previously served as the Commanding General of the 4th Force Service Support Group, where he commanded more than 10,000 Marines and was responsible for the logistical support of the 4th Marine Division and the 4th Marine Air Wing worldwide. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, and as a Congressional liaison, providing testimony and conducting briefings for members of Congress, during which he worked to secure passage of the “new” GI Bill.
Jay was a distinguished educator and prolific author whose major areas of expertise included English Literature, Literary Theory, and Criticism. He began his collegiate teaching career at the College of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH. He moved back to Rhode Island in 1985, where he began his 40-year career at Rhode Island College, first as an Associate Professor of English, then as the Chair of the English Department, and later as the Director of the General Studies Program. He then served as the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and later the Dean of Graduate Studies. Jay spent his last twelve years at Rhode Island College as the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The final years of his teaching career were as Chair of the English Department at Salve Regina University and at the Naval War College, Newport, RI.
Jay received many honors throughout his military and civilian careers. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal of the United States Marine Corps for his exceptional meritorious service while serving in a position of great responsibility. He received the Distinguished Service Award of Rhode Island College Alumni and served as a member of: the Secretary of Defense Reserve Forces Policy Board; Board of Visitors, Marine Corps University; the Marine Corps Historical Association; Naval War College Foundation; the United States Naval Institute; the Artillery Company of Newport; chaired the Marine Memorial Association of Rhode Island; the Renaissance Society of America; the Northeast Society for Eighteenth Century Studies; and the Newport Reading Room. Jay established the John J. Salesses Scholarship for English majors at Rhode Island College (RIC), presented each year to a RIC student.
Among Jay’s many professional accomplishments, perhaps the most meaningful and enduring was the mentorship and encouragement he offered to thousands of students, Marines, and other military members throughout his distinguished career. His guidance and support have had a lasting impact on many lives, creating new opportunities for them and their families and, in turn, strengthening our communities and nation.
He was inducted into The Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1997.