Bowery promoted to rank of colonel

Charles R. Bowery Jr., 1988 graduate of New Kent High School and a 1992 graduate from the College of William and Mary, was promoted to the rank of Colonel on Feb. 21 at the Army and Navy Club in Washington D.C.

Bowery received his commission to the aviation branch of the U.S. Army in 1988 and graduated aviation officer advanced courses in 1997. Bowery has served stints overseas in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan over the last 15 years.

Among other accomplishments for the recently promoted colonel include obtaining a master’s degree from North Carolina State University in 2001, teaching history for the U.S. Army at West Point, and serving as the Chief of Doctrine and Lessons Learned at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence.

Among awards and recognitions for the New Kent native include the Bronze Star (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Air Medal (4 awards), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), the Joint Staff Identification Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Master Army Aviator Badge.

He is married to Major Mary Ann Bowery, his wife of 21 years.

Bowery is the son of Mrs. Emma Bowery of Quinton and the late Charles R. Bowery Sr.