John Michael Alverson
Commander, U.S. NAVY (Retired)

A native of Etowah, Tennessee, Commander "Mike" Alverson is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville holding a bachelors degree in Music Education. He enlisted in the Navy in April 1971, and after graduating Personnelman "A" School, deployed aboard the USS CHUKAWAN (AO-100). He received a lateral conversion to the Musician rating and was assigned as a vocalist with the United States Navy Band, in Washington, DC.

His following tours of duty included Navy Band Orlando, Florida, as Operations Assistant and vocal soloist, and the Armed Forces School of Music, Norfolk, Virginia, serving as the Navy's vocal instructor, Director of the School of Music Chorus, and Editor of the Navy Music Program's newspaper, "Ledger Lines."

After completing the Intermediate and Enlisted Bandleaders courses, Commander Alverson reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Detailer and Manpower Resource Analyst. He was selected for advancement to Senior Chief Musician in April 1982. In May 1983 while serving with Navy Band Newport, Rhode Island, he received his appointment to Ensign and was reassigned to the United States Naval Academy Band as Supply Officer.

Commander Alverson's subsequent assignments as Director, Navy Band Charleston, South Carolina and Director, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii provided the opportunities for his bands to entertain audiences from Puerto Rico to Iceland and Australia to India. In June 1990 he returned to the Armed Forces School of Music as Director of Training and in March 1992 assumed duties as that command's Executive Officer.

Serving as Director, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band beginning in April, 1994, Commander Alverson conducted the band during events commemorating the Normandy Invasion's 50th Anniversary in England, France, and on board the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73). He also provided musical support to the active duty family members returning from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during "Operation Sincere Welcome." Additionally, Commander Alverson led the band through a tour of Ireland, including performances in Dublin, Wexford, and Gallway. These performances were in support of the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY's (CVN-67) visit to Ireland. This event marked the first carrier visit to an Irish port. In 1997, under his direction, the Atlantic Fleet Band performed in Canada as the United States representative to the Nova Scotia International Tatoo. In September 1998, Commander Alverson reported as Director, the United States Naval Academy Band. He retired from active duty on August 1, 2001.

Commander Alverson's military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (three awards), Humanitarian Service Medal, plus various unit awards.

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