General J.R. “Jack” Dailey Honored at 2017 Wright Memorial Dinner
The Aero Club of Washington hosted the Annual Wright Memorial Dinner on Friday, December 15th in Washington D.C. where General J.R. “Jack” Dailey, USMC (Ret.), Director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, was award the NAA Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy.
Established by NAA in 1948 to honor the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the trophy is awarded annually to a living American for “…significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.” One of the most important, historic, and visible aerospace awards in the world, the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy reflects a timeline of the most innovative inventors, explorers, industrialists, and public servants in aeronautics and astronautics.
General Dailey was recognized for “his courageous and dedicated service to the country and his commitment to sharing the history and technology of aviation and space flight with present and future generations.”
NAA Chairman, Jim Albaugh and NAA President & CEO, Greg Principato, presented Dailey with the prestigious trophy. ” The life and career of General John R. Dailey adds to the historic legacy of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy,” remarked Principato. “His career contains so many elements; any one of which would be worthy of this award. As many of those on the selection committee noted, he is the epitome of public service.”
