James Buchli James Frederick Buchli ( born June 20 , 1945 , in New Rockford , North Dakota ) is a retired United States Marine aviator and former NASA astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions . Education and memberships . Buchli graduated from Fargo Central High School , Fargo , North Dakota , in 1963 and received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1967 . He also earned a master of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering Systems from the University of West Florida in 1975 . Buchli is an associate member of Naval Academy Alumni , American Legion , Association of Space Explorers , and American Geophysical Union . Military career . Buchli received his commission in the United States Marine Corps following graduation from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis , Maryland in 1967 . He graduated from Basic Infantry Officer ' s Course and was subsequently sent to the Republic of Vietnam for a 1 - year tour of duty , where he served as a Platoon Commander with the 9th Marine Regiment , and then as Executive Officer and Company Commander for B Company , 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion . He returned to the United States in 1969 for naval flight officer training at Naval Air Station Pensacola , Florida . After earning his wings , he spent the next 2 years assigned to VMFA - 122 at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay , Hawaii , and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni , Japan . In 1973 , he proceeded to duty with VMFA - 115 at Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong in Thailand , and again MCAS Iwakuni . Upon completing this tour of duty , he again returned to the United States and participated in the Marine Advanced Degree Program at the University of West Florida . He was assigned subsequently to VMFA - 312 at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort , South Carolina , and in 1977 , to the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River , Maryland . He has logged over 4 , 200 hours flying time : 4 , 000 hours in jet aircraft , including combat in the F - 4 Phantom II . NASA career . Buchli became a NASA astronaut in August 1979 , selected as part of Group 8 . He was a member of the support crew for STS - 1 and STS - 2 , and On - Orbit CAPCOM for STS - 2 . A veteran of four space flights , Buchli has orbited the earth 319 times , traveling 7 . 74 million miles in 20 days , 10 hours , 25 minutes , 32 seconds . He served as a mission specialist on STS - 51 - C , STS - 61 - A , STS - 29 , and STS - 48 . From March 1989 till May 1992 he also served as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office . On September 1 , 1992 Buchli retired from the Marine Corps and the NASA Astronaut Office to accept a position as Manager , Space Station Systems Operations and Requirements with Boeing Defense and Space Group , at Huntsville , Alabama . In April 1993 , he was reassigned as Boeing Deputy for Payload Operations , Space Station Freedom Program . Buchli currently serves as Operations & Utilization Manager for Space Station , Boeing Defense and Space Group , at Houston , Texas . Awards and decorations . Buchli is a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal , Legion of Merit , Purple Heart , Defense Meritorious Service Medal , Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with silver star .