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
- Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster[1]
- Silver Star[1]
- Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster[1]
- Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters[1]
- Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters[1]
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal[1]
- Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster[1]
- Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters[1]
- Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster[1]
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
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Chief of Staff CFC". United States Forces Korea. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ^ a b Fichtl, Marcus (5 January 2018). "8th Army welcomes new commander on tension-filled Korean Peninsula". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ^ Jones, JC (13 January 2016). "A new leader in town: Thomson assumes command of First Team". Fort Hood Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ^ Brooks, Jacob (23 December 2015). "A look at the next 1st Cavalry Division commander". Fort Hood Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ^ Thayer, Rose L (28 June 2014). "1st Cavalry commander gets second star". Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2020.