Question: Facts: - caption: major general alfred k. flowers - battles: vietnam war - allegiance: united states united states - commands: 2nd training schools air force ; air force officer accession and - awards: air legion of merit force distinguished service medal defense superior service medal - birth date: 29 december 1947 - serviceyears: 1965 -- 2011 - name: alfred k. flowers - branch: united states - image: alfred k flowers.jpg - birth place: jones county , north carolina , u.s.a. - rank: 36px major general Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of alfred k. flowers .
Answer:
alfred k. flowers -lrb- born december 29 , 1947 -rrb- 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 airman 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 members of air education and training command presented flowers with the order of the sword , the air force enlisted force 's highest honor for officer leadership .