Fairfax, Virginia

Inducted in 2008, Gen. John R. “Jack” Dailey, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general and pilot, assumed the duties of director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in January 2000.  During Dailey’s tenure, the museum has expanded to include a second facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on Dulles International Airport.   The center, which includes the Boeing Aviation Hangar and the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, opened in 2003.  Phase Two of the center, which will include the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, will be fully operational by 2011.  The National Air and Space Museum, which opened in 1976, is home to many of the “firsts” in aviation and space history.  With approximately 8 million visitors a year, it is one of the most popular museums in the world.  From 1992 to 1999, Dailey served at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as the associate deputy administrator, in charge of the agency’s internal operations.   While at NASA, Dailey served on the President’s Management Council, co-chaired the Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating Board, and was a national delegate to the Research and Technology Organization supporting NATO.  His career in the Marine Corps spanned 36 years and included extensive command and staff experience.  During two tours in Vietnam, he flew 450 missions.  He was promoted to the rank of general and named Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1990.  Dailey has served as national commander of the Marine Corps Aviation Association and is a member of the Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators (“Golden Eagles”).  Dailey was born Feb. 17, 1934 in Quantico, Virginia, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1956.