James C. Tison, Jr.

Rear Admiral James C. Tison Jr. (July 23, 1908 – May 3, 1991) was an officer in the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps and Environmental Science Services Administration Corps (ESSA Corps), both predecessors of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps). He served simultaneously as the first Director of the ESSA Corps, one of only two people to hold the position, and as the sixth Director of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

During World War II, Tison was transferred to the United States Army Air Forces for wartime duty. He remained in the Army Air Forces postwar and also served in their successor, the United States Air Force, before returning to the Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps.

Early life James Chisolm Tison Jr., was born in South Carolina on July 23, 1908. He attended The Citadel, from which he graduated with a degree in civil engineering. The citation for his award read:

While serving with the Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff-3, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, from March 1944 to October 1945, Colonel Tison prepared and supervised the execution of a successful plan to utilize the limited map making resources of the Army, Navy and Civil Branches. Colonel Tison's high degree of professional competence and exemplary devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and Army Air Forces. They had two sons, John Huger Tison and James Sinkler Tison.

In retirement, Tison initially lived in Alexandria, Virginia. He later moved to Charleston, South Carolina.

Death

Tison died of cancer on May 3, 1991, at a hospital in Charleston. He was buried at Black Swamp Methodist Church Cemetery in Garnett in Hampton County, South Carolina.