Eric David Tilley, 43, the son of retired Sergeant Major David Tilley and Marty Harrison Tilley of Kannapolis, was promoted on Nov. 1 to the rank of Colonel (O-6) in the United States Army.
Eric Tilley has completed 21 years of service in the Army. He is a 1989 graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Upon graduation from West Point, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and immediately earned his airborne and air assault wings.
He also holds a master’s degree and attends the military’s War College in Carlisle, Pa. Upon completion next June, he will earn a second master’s degree.
Tilley has served overseas in Desert Storm, Bosnia, Germany, and Belgium (NATO).
He was also the installation/post commander in the Netherlands (Holland). Stateside, he has been assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Jackson, S.C., Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Fort Bragg, and most recently worked for the Chief of Staff of the Army at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
During his years of service he has earned many awards, decorations and citations, to include the Bronze Star.
In July, Tilley will become the commander of all Army installations in Japan, including Okinawa.
He is married to the former Angela Covan of Fayetteville. They have two children, Jennifer, 18, a freshman at UNC-Greensboro and Matthew, 16, a junior in high school.
Tilley is the grandson of Alda Davies of Salisbury, and Ralph and Elsie Tilley of Kannapolis.