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Michael A. Bills
Born1958 (age 65–66)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1983–2020
RankLieutenant General
Commands heldEighth United States Army
1st Cavalry Division
Joint Task Force North
3d Armored Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsGulf War
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal (4)

Michael A. Bills (born 1958) is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army, who last served as the Commanding General of the Eighth United States Army[1][better source needed] from January 2018 until his retirement in October 2020.[2]

Military career

Bills was commissioned in December 1983, through ROTC at George Mason University as a second lieutenant in the Armor Branch with Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.[3] From 1984 to 1987, Bills served as a tank platoon leader, scout platoon leader, Executive Officer, and maintenance officer in the 2nd Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment. He then went to Fort Riley, Kansas to serve in 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry as the Squadron S1 and then Provisional Commander Headquarters and Headquarters Troop. Later, Bills commanded B Troop of 1-4 CAV and deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Storm.[1]

Bills was the commander of 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment in Büdingen, Germany during the September 11th attacks. Following his command of 1st Squadron, he served in the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Germany and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the V Corps Commander's Assault command post staff.[3]

In 2006, Bills took command of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment again deploying as part of Operation Iragi Freedom.[3] He then served as the Commander of Joint Task Force North, USNORTHCOM at Fort Bliss, Texas before moving on to serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, United States Army Europe.[3]

Bills was Fort Carson's acting senior commander and as the Deputy Commanding General of 4th Infantry Division from June 2013 to July 2014. In March 2014, Bills became the commander of 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas,[3][4][5] deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.[3]

In 2016, Bills became the United States Forces Korea's assistant chief of staff of operations.[4][6] Bills took command of the Eighth United States Army in January 2018. He retired on October 2, 2020.[2]

Awards and decorations

Bills receives the Order of National Security Merit by Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Suh Wook in 2020

Personal life

Bills is a native of New York.[3] He is married to Megan. They have three sons, Michael, Matthew, and Marc.[7][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Lieutenant General Michael A. Bills Commanding General, Eighth Army". Eighth Army Mission. Archived from the original on 2020-07-22. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b Gamel, Kim (2 October 2020). "New Eighth Army commander seeks 'rigorous, realistic' training for US, South Korea troops". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Chief of Staff CFC". United States Forces Korea. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b Fichtl, Marcus (5 January 2018). "8th Army welcomes new commander on tension-filled Korean Peninsula". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  5. ^ Jones, JC (13 January 2016). "A new leader in town: Thomson assumes command of First Team". Fort Hood Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  6. ^ Brooks, Jacob (23 December 2015). "A look at the next 1st Cavalry Division commander". Fort Hood Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  7. ^ Thayer, Rose L (28 June 2014). "1st Cavalry commander gets second star". Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
Military offices Preceded byAnthony R. Ierardi Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division 2014–2016 Succeeded byJohn C. Thomson III Preceded byThomas S. Vandal Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea 2016–2017 Succeeded byThomas S. James Jr. Commanding General of the Eighth United States Army and Chief of Staff of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command 2018–2020 Succeeded byWillard Burleson
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