John R . Dailey John R . 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 ) since 2000 . 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 . 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 , 000 flying hours in fighters ; light attack , reconnaissance , and electronic warfare aircraft ; transports ; and helicopters . In 1972 , Dailey served as Commanding Officer , 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 . Then in July 1980 he assumed new duties as Chief of Staff , 3d Marine Aircraft Wing . He returned to Headquarters Marine Corps in July 1981 and was assigned as Head , Aviation Plans , Programs , Budget and Joint Doctrine Branch . After promotion to brigadier general in May 1982 , General 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 , National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1992 to 1999 . While at NASA , General 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 . Since 2000 , Dailey has served as the Director of the National Air and Space Museum . Decorations and awards . Dailey ' s personal decorations include :