He previously served as the sixth Administrator of Veterans Affairs, from 1961 to 1965, and the National Commander of The American Legion from 1957 to 1958.

Later in life, Gleason attended Harvard Business School, earning a second degree.

By the end of World War II, he was a lieutenant colonel and had fought in the New Guinea and the Luzon campaigns with the 33d Infantry Division.

Gleason later became a Roman Catholic deacon, serving as the first lay chaplain at Metropolitan Correctional Center.

The couple had six children: John S. "Jack" III, Daniel, Richard, Thomas, David, and Martin.