Joseph L. Lengyel

Joseph Lauren Lengyel (born 1959) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 28th chief of the National Guard Bureau from August 2016 to August 2020. As chief, he was responsible for ensuring that nearly 460,000 Army National Guard and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and to provide combat capabilities to the United States Army and the United States Air Force. Lengyel is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours primarily in the F-16.

Prior to his last assignment, Lengyel served as the 10th vice chief of the National Guard Bureau. His previous general officer assignments include Senior United States Defense Official; Chief, Office of Military Cooperation; and Defense Attaché, Cairo, United States Central Command, Cairo, Egypt. He retired from the Air Force on August 3, 2020, after over 38 years of service.

Early life Joseph Lauren Lengyel is the son of Lauren and Margaret Lengyel. His father was a career Air Force officer and Vietnam War veteran who was held as a prisoner of war; he received the Silver Star and retired a lieutenant colonel. Lengyel has two brothers and a sister; one of his brothers, Gregory J. Lengyel, is a retired major general and was a career Air Force special operations officer. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster

Combat Readiness Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Korea Defense Service Medal Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame

Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters

Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver Hourglass device Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze service star Air Force Training Ribbon

Other achievements 1983 Distinguished graduate, undergraduate pilot training 2009 Maj. Gen. I.G. Brown Command Excellence Award Multiple civilian pilot ratings, including Airline Transport Pilot

Effective dates of promotion Second Lieutenant Dec. 21, 1981 First Lieutenant Dec. 21, 1983 Captain Dec. 21, 1985 Major Dec. 13, 1994 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 23, 1998 Colonel Sept. 18, 2002 Brigadier General Sept. 26, 2008 Major General April 1, 2011 Lieutenant General Aug. 18, 2012 General Aug. 3, 2016