Chow promoted to Brigadier General

Article by MSgt Richard Hodges
Reprinted with permission of SCANG News, the newsletter of the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Brigadier General Jim Chow, formerly the State Air Surgeon/Joint Surgeon South Carolina National Guard, was promoted to was promoted to his present rank General during Sunday afternoon ceremonies at McEntire Air National Guard Base last month. He takes on the duties of Chief Flight Surgeon, ANG Assistant to the Command Surgeon, ACC/USAF.

A pinning-on ceremony was held at the Aerospace Dining facility on base and was attended by a large crowd of S.C. Guard members, including Maj. Gen. Stanhope Spears, the Adjutant General, family, friends and civilian and military medical contemporaries.

He was pinned by his wife Jean, and mother Rosemary. His children, Forrest, Kelsey and Kiersten also assisted in the ceremony.

In remarks following the pinning, the new general expressed his appreciation to the many who had had an influence upon his life and assisted him in attaining his present position. "Practice of medicine is a privilege," he said. He encouraged those present to pursue "hard work, integrity, and honor in everything we do."

He thanked his medical professors and colleagues, his military mentors, and his family. "My family was the backbone of my career. They supported me throughout my career. My wife, Jean ... has put her legal career on hold so she can take care of our elderly parents as well as nurturing and educating our children. She deserves the star more than I do."

He then thanked those veterans present "for their bravery in battle and for protecting our freedom and our way of life. They make up the greatest generation and their bravery continues on at McEntire."

Chow has been in military service since Dec. 1984. He has been a member of the Air Guard since May 1992. He is a graduate of the Air War College. His date of rank is June 28, 2007.

This month, Dr.Chow was also presented the Garde Nationale Trophy by the National Guard Association of the U.S. The trophy recognizes significant achievement of Guard members in their civilian endeavors. It is named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette and utilizes the roots of the National Guard name. He is a 1985 graduate of the USC School of Medicine.