Alfred K. Flowers

Alfred K. Flowers (born December 29, 1947) is a retired United States Air Force major general who served in many roles, culminating as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget. At the time of his retirement, Flowers had served more than 46 years on active duty, making him the longest-serving airman in Air Force history and the longest serving African American in the history of the United States Department of Defense. Prior to his retirement, the enlisted members of Air Education and Training Command presented Flowers with the Order of the Sword, the Air Force enlisted force's highest honor for officer leadership.

Early life Flowers was born in Jones County, North Carolina on December 29, 1947. He was raised in rural Jones County near Phillips Crossroads. At the age of ten, he started working in the fields with his grandparents, who were sharecroppers. He graduated from Jones High School in 1965. Flowers could not afford to attend college so after graduating, he decided to enlist in the Air Force. Because he was only seventeen, his grandmother had to sign a release allowing him to enlist. Flowers entered the Air Force on 5 August 1965.

Enlisted service After completing basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Flowers was assigned to duty as a supply warehouseman at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. After two years at Grand Forks, he was retransferred into the air transportation career field and sent to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. At Da Nang, Flowers was responsible for collecting casualties, hauling wounded and deceased soldiers out of the jungle at night.

When his tour in Vietnam was completed, Flowers was reassigned at Norton Air Force Base, California. While at Norton, he met his wife, who was also serving in the Air Force. Two weeks after they were married, she was transferred to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Six months later, Flowers secured a join-spouse assignment at Clark. During his tour in the Philippines, Flowers began working toward a college degree. When he returned from his overseas assignment, Flowers was retrained as an accounting specialist and assigned to Lackland Air Force Base and then to Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.

At the time of his retirement, Flowers was the longest serving active duty member in Air Force history. He was also the longest serving African American in the history of the United States Department of Defense. His retirement ceremony was held on 16 November 2011 at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington. The Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley and the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, Jamie M. Morin both attended his retirement ceremony.

After retiring from active duty, Flowers served on the board of directors for a number of veteran-related organizations. These included Air Force Aid Society, Lackland Fisher Houses, Lackland Heritage Foundation, Endeavors, and the Fallen Warriors Legacy Scholarship Foundation. Flowers also served as a member of the board of director for the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce in San Antonio, Texas.

In 2017, Flowers wrote and published an autobiography entitled Reflections of a Servant Leader. It highlights his life challenges as well as his forty-six years of military service. The book also includes his thoughts on service, integrity, and leadership.

Awards and decorations

Air Force Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of Merit with bronze oak leaf clusterDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clustersJoint Service Commendation MedalAir Force Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf clusterJoint Service Achievement MedalAir Force Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf clusterPresidential Unit CitationAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Outstanding Unit Award (Second ribbon required due to accouterment spacing)Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusterNational Defense Service Medal with two bronze service starsVietnam Service Medal with four bronze service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalAir Force Overseas Short Tour Service RibbonAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Longevity Service Award with two silver oak leaf clustersNCO Professional Military Education Graduate RibbonSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonAir Force Training Ribbon with bronze oak leaf clusterVietnam Gallantry Cross Unit AwardVietnam Campaign Medal

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