Retired effective Aug 31, 1997
Major General Michael J.
Bowers is the ANG assistant to the chief, National Guard Bureau. He serves as the chief's
advisor on counterdrug matters. He is a member of the Georgia Air National Guard.
General Bowers was appointed to the United States Military Academy, he graduated as a distinguished graduate with a bachelor of science degree in 1963. While in military service, he received a master of science degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University in 1965, and a master of business administration degree from the University of Utah in 1970. General Bowers received a juris doctor degree, from the University of Georgia, in 1974. He completed Squadron Officer School, in residence graduating as a distinguished graduate, in 1966. He also completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, in 1967; and Air Command and Staff College, in 1973, both by correspondence.
General Bowers served on active duty as a management engineering team chief in the Strategic Air Command from January 1965 to July 1967, and as a manpower and management officer in Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe from July 1967 to July 1970. He was released from active duty as a captain, and assigned to the Air Force Reserve until September 1970. He joined the Georgia ANG on Sept. 19, 1970, and served as motor vehicle management officer, transportation officer, communications systems officer, and administrative management officer until November 1974. General Bowers served as commander of the 116th Communications Flight, Dobbins AFB, Ga., for four years, and for seven years as commander of the 129th Tactical Control Squadron, kennesaw, Ga. During his command tenure, the 129th earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He was appointed deputy chief of staff, Georgia ANG, on April 8,1985, chief of staff on January 1, 1990, and commander, HO Georgia ANG, on Feb. 8, 1992. During his tenure, the unit received two Air Force Organizational Excellence Awards. He assumed the position of ANG assistant to the chief, NGB on Sept. 1, 1992.
The general's military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, Georgia National Guard Service Medal with one device, and the Georgia Counter-Narcotics/Drug Support Service Ribbon.
General Bowers' civic affiliations include National Guard Associations of the United States and Georgia; board of directors, United States Military Academy Association of Graduates; American Legion; West Point Society of Atlanta; United Methodist Church; American Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; and the Decatur-DeKaIb County Bar Association.
In his civilian capacity, General Bowers presently holds the office of attorney general of Georgia.
General Bowers was promoted to major general and federally recognized on March 11, 1993.
(Current as of February 2001)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.