AUGUSTA – A Lewiston native who is Maine’s top-ranking military official will become a two-star general during a ceremony today at the State House.
The 3 p.m. ceremony in the Hall of Flags is open to the public. Brig. Gen. John “Bill” Libby, who served in Vietnam, has been a one-star general in the Maine National Guard since September 1996. His promotion to major general comes after an act of Congress.
Libby, now living in Waterville, has been the Guard’s commander since Jan. 14, 2004. He succeeded Maj. Gen. Joseph Tinkham one year after Gov. John Baldacci took office.
As adjutant general, Libby automatically earned the rank of major general. But his rise in rank had to be approved by Congress before becoming official.
Libby also serves as commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management in Baldacci’s Cabinet. He oversees 2,000 Maine Army National Guard soldiers and 1,100 in the Maine Air National Guard.
Libby graduated from Lewiston High School in 1961 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Maine. He joined the Army in 1966, serving until 1975. He completed one combat tour in Vietnam.
In 1979 he joined the Maine Army National Guard, serving as operations officer and chief of staff.
In 1995 he was appointed director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency. In 1999 he was appointed deputy commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.
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