Samuel Dana Greene was born 11 February 1839 at Cumberland, Maryland and was appointed acting midshipman 21 September 1855.
During the Battle of Hampton Roads against CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862, he was executive officer in Monitor and assumed command after his Captain Worden was wounded. He was also executive officer in Monitor in the engagements in the James River, Virginia, April–May 1862, and when she foundered in a gale.
Commander Greene died 11 December 1884 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was buried in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Source: Naval Historical Center, DANFS.