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 airmen 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 member of Air Education and Training Command presented to Flowers the Order of the Sword, the Air Force enlisted force’s highest honor for officer leadership.
General Flowers was born in Jones County, North Carolina on 29 December 1947. He was raised in rural Jones County near Phillips Crossroads. At the age of ten he started working in fields with his grandparents, who sharecroppers. He graduated from Jones County High School in 1965. Flowers could not afford to attend college so after graduation, he decided to enlist in Air Force. Because he was seventeen, his grandmother had to a release allowing to enlist. Flowers entered the Air Force on 5 August 1965.
