Michael Hough

Lt. General Michael Hough (U.S. Marine Corps, ret.) served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, DC from October 2002 to November 2005.

Enlisting into the U.S. Navy in 1963 and subsequent to graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Applied Science in 1969, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon completion of The Basic School and U.S. Navy pilot flight training in Beeville, Texas, he was assigned to VMFA-122 (F-4Bs) as the S-4 officer in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Subsequent to a tour in WESTPAC, he was reassigned to VT-19, Meridian, Miss. as a flight instructor where he served as maintenance officer and standardization officer.

In 1976, Captain Hough reported to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, where he served as the ALO and Operation's Officer of BLT 2/9 ashore and afloat as ARG-Bravo. Returning to CONUS in 1977, Captain Hough reported to VMFA-451, MAG-31, MCAS Beaufort, where he served until 1981 as the squadron S-1, maintenance officer and operations officer.

In 1981, he attended USAF Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB. Subsequent to graduation, he reported to the F/A-18 class desk for duty as assistant program manager until reassignment in 1986 to U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.

In 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Hough returned to MAG-31 where he served as the group operations officer and executive officer until his assignment as Commanding Officer of VMFA-312 (F/A-18) from 1988 to 1991.

Returning to Washington, D.C. in 1991, Colonel Hough served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation until ordered in February 1992 to assume command of Marine Aircraft Group 24, Kaneohe, Hawaii. Upon completion of his tour in MAG-24 in February 1993, he was assigned as the Branch Head, Aviation Weapons Systems Requirements Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., where he was selected for promotion to brigadier general in January 1995. He served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Expeditionary Forces Programs, (Research Development & Acquisition), from July 1995 until assigned as the Deputy Director of Joint Strike Fighter Program in August 1997. In May 1999, he was assigned as Director of Joint Strike Fighter Program and promoted to major general. On 7 December 2001, Major General Hough was assigned as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation. On 2 October 2002, Lieutenant General Hough assumed the duties as Deputy Commandant for Aviation. On January 1st, 2006 Lt. Gen Hough retired from active duty.

General Hough's personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with one gold star, and Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.