Missouri Adjutant General Stephen L. Danner promoted to rank of Major General

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today promoted Missouri National Guard Adjutant General Stephen L. Danner to the rank of Major General. The Governor presented Maj. Gen. Danner with the second star denoting that higher rank during a brief ceremony held next to the Missouri Veterans Memorial on the north side of the state Capitol.

"Maj. Gen. Danner has been an outstanding leader of the Missouri National Guard, both in preparing our Citizen-Soldiers for duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in directing them as they assist Missourians during times of natural disaster," Gov. Nixon said. "He has demonstrated that this promotion is well-deserved."

Danner has served as the state Adjutant General since January 2009. Last week, he was notified that he had received federal recognition as a brigadier general. Gov. Nixon chose to brevet Danner to the rank of major general. Brevet is promoting a military officer to a higher rank based on position and responsibility.

"I appreciate Governor Nixon's leadership and his steadfast support of the Missouri National Guard," said Danner. "As always, I am proud to serve with the Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen from hometowns across Missouri."

Danner has served in the military for more than 30 years. He enlisted in 1972 and served as a combat engineer with the 8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. After receiving his law degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 1980, Danner joined the Missouri National Guard as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Danner was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from May 2005 to January 2007. He has received several military awards including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, and the Combat Action Badge.

The Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard reports to the Governor and is responsible for all personnel in the Missouri Army National Guard and Missouri Air National Guard.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.