John R. Dallager

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John R. Dallager

John R. Dallager
Years of service 1969-2003
Rank Major General (demoted from Lieutenant General)
Commands held Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross
Legion of Merit

Major General John R. Dallager served as the fifteenth Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy from 2000-2003. He resigned the position in the wake of the sexual assault scandal at the Academy and was demoted from the rank of lieutenant general to major general upon his retirement.

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[edit] Training and education

General Dallager was a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1969. He earned a Master of business degree from Troy State University in 1978, and is a graduate of the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College, the National Defense University, and the U.S. Army War College.

[edit] Assignment history

After graduating from the Academy, General Dallager went to pilot training at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, where he was a distinguished graduate. He went to advanced training in the F-4 Phantom II, and was assigned to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand from 1971-1972.

His command positions included commander of the 357th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina; commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; and commander of 13th Air Force, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He has also held staff positions at United States Air Force Headquarters, United States Central Command, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. The general has combat flying experience in Vietnam War, Southwest Asia and Bosnia. General Dallager is a command pilot with more than 2,900 flying hours, including over 600 combat hours, in aircraft including the F-4, A-10 and F-15.

General Dallager was also the commanding officer (wing commander) of the two F-15 Eagle pilots who, while deployed to operation Southern Watch in Iraq (1995), shot down two U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters. General Dallager refused to direct courts-martials for the two pilots though many feel they were perhaps guilty of 27 counts of negligent homicide.

[edit] Academy sexual assault scandal

The breaking of the sexual assault scandal at the Academy in 2003 brought a great deal of attention on the leadership of General Dalleger as superintendent. A Pentagon investigation laid heavy blame on the Academy's leadership, including General Dallager, for the environment that led to the scandal. [1] In the wake of the scandal, Air Force Secretary James Roche replaced all of the Academy's leadership in 2003, including General Dallager, who was to be demoted as well. [2]

Some saw the general's demotion and removal as scapegoating: namely, that Secretary Roche was merely placating some senators' desire that someone be blamed. The timing of the order only added to this impression, as Secretary Roche announced the move only days after his own nomination to be Secretary of the Army went to the Senate Armed Services Committee. General Dallager retired on September 1, 2003 at the rank of major general.

[edit] Awards and decorations

General Dallager's decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters; the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; the Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters; the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Air Force Achievement Medal; the Joint Meritorious Unit Award; the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Preceded by
Tad J. Oelstrom		 Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy
2000—2003		 Succeeded by
John W. Rosa