Chatham Soldier Promoted to Brigadier General

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/02/2014)(readMedia)-- Michael R. Zerbonia of Chatham, Ill., the Land Forces Component Commander for the Illinois Army National Guard, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., Feb. 1.

"With more than 30 years of military service and experience with the Illinois State Police, Brigadier General Zerbonia embodies what it means to be a Citizen-Soldier," said Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, Ill., Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "I am proud to promote him to brigadier general and welcome him as the newest general officer in the Illinois National Guard."

As the Land Forces Component Commander, Zerbonia directs the state's brigade-level commands and oversees the readiness of Soldiers statewide.

Zerbonia enlisted in the Missouri National Guard in 1983 as a military policeman. In 1988, he transferred to the active-duty Army as an air defense artillery officer before joining the Illinois National Guard in 1995.

Throughout his career, Zerbonia supported military operations stateside, as well as in Turkey, Germany and Poland. He also deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Zerbonia served as commander of the Illinois National Guard's 1st Batallion, 202nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Kewanee, Ill.; 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago; and also as team chief for the 224th Army Liason Team in Chicago. Additionally, he served as commander of the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team A10, which was part of a joint mission between U.S and Polish servicemembers who prepared Afghan Soldiers and law enforcement officials to provide security for their country.

As a civilian, Zerbonia serves as the Colonel of Operations for the Illinois State Police.

Photo 1: (Left) Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, pins brigadier general rank on Michael R. Zerbonia, of Chatham, Ill., along with Zerbonia's son, Niko Zerbonia (right), at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., Feb. 1. Zerbonia is the Land Forces Component Commander for the Illinois Army National Guard.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. James McDonnough, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Photo 2: (Left) Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, congratulates Brig. Gen. Michael R. Zerbonia (right), of Chatham, Ill., after promoting Zerbonia to brigadier general at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., Feb. 1. Zerbonia is the Land Forces Component Commander of the Illinois National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. James McDonnough,139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil

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Posted Sunday February 02, 2014 at 05:29 pm by Illinois National Guard
Last Updated Tuesday February 18, 2014 at 09:52 am