# John R. Dailey

John Revell "Jack" Dailey (born February 17, 1934) is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (ACMC) and Chief of Staff from 1990 to 1992, Acting Associate Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from 1992 to 1999; and director of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) from 2000 to 2018.
His career in the Marine Corps spanned thirty-six years and included a wide variety of operational and staff assignments. He is a pilot with over 7000 hours in fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He has extensive command experience including the Marine Corps Systems Command and the Armed Forces Staff College. He flew 450 missions during two tours in Vietnam and has numerous personal decorations which he received for combat operations.

## Biography

John Dailey was born on February 17, 1934, in Quantico, Virginia, as the son of future Brigadier general and Naval aviator, Frank G. Dailey and his wife Flora. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1956.

### Marine Corps career

Upon graduation from UCLA, Dailey was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1956. He completed The Basic School prior to flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1958.
His operational experience includes over 7,500 flying hours in fighters; light attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare aircraft; transports; and helicopters.
In 1972, Dailey served as commanding officer of Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron-l, and also commanded a carrier task unit supporting combat operations in North Vietnam. During two tours in Vietnam, he flew 450 combat missions. Returning from overseas in May 1973, Dailey was assigned to the Aviation Weapons Requirements Branch, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. In 1975 he entered the National War College and, after graduation, returned to the Aviation Plans and Programs Branch at Headquarters Marine Corps.
In 1978, Dailey took command of Marine Aircraft Group-ll, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. In July 1980, he assumed new duties as chief of staff of 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. He returned to Headquarters Marine Corps in July 1981 and was assigned as head of Aviation Plans, Programs, Budget and Joint Doctrine Branch. After promotion to brigadier general in May 1982, Dailey assumed the position of assistant deputy chief of staff for aviation. In May 1985 he took command of the 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Dailey was promoted to major general on June 12, 1986, and took command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. He was assigned duty as the Commandant, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia, on July 30, 1987. General Dailey assumed command of the Marine Corps Research, Development and Acquisition Command, Washington, D.C., on August 21, 1989, and was appointed to the grade of lieutenant general on November 24, 1989. He was appointed to the grade of general and assumed the post as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on August 1, 1990.

### Post-Marine Corps career

After retirement from the Marine Corps, Dailey served as associate deputy administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1992 to 1999. While at NASA, Dailey led the agency reinvention activities initiated by the NASA Administrator, guiding the development of new management processes in the face of a reduced budget environment.
Dailey recently retired as the Director of the National Air and Space Museum.
Since assuming his position in 2000, Dailey has led efforts to expand the size and scope of the museum and increase public outreach. In 2003, in conjunction with the Centennial of Flight, the museum opened a second building, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. More than 300 aircraft and space artifacts are housed in its two hangars: the Boeing Aviation Hangar and James S. McDonnell Space Hangar. In 2011, construction was completed on the center's second and final component, a section devoted to preservation and restoration of the museum's collection.
While at the Smithsonian, he has been awarded the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of California at Los Angeles, the Statesman of Aviation Award from the National Aeronautic Association, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wings Club, inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame and the International Aviation Hall of Fame.
In 2014, Dailey was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
In 2018, Dailey was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.

## Decorations and awards

Dailey's personal decorations include:
Naval Aviator Badge :
| 1st Row | | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Army Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal |
| 2nd Row | Distinguished Flying Cross | Bronze Star | Meritorious Service Medal | Air Medal w/ 1 award star & Strike/Flight numeral "23" |
| 3rd Row | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ valor device | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Presidential Unit Citation | Navy Unit Commendation |
| 4th Row | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | NASA Distinguished Service Medal | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star |
| 5th Row | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 service stars | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
* Though Gen. Dailey has been seen in recent photos wearing the NASA Distinguished Service Medal with other mess dress or miniature medals in 3rd order of precedence, according to US Department of Defense regulations, all civilian awards should be worn after military or uniformed service decorations and unit citations but before military service medals or foreign awards as shown above.