Joseph J. Dantone

Rear Admiral Joseph John "Jack" Dantone Jr. (born 6 August 1942) was the last director of the U.S. Navys Defense Mapping Agency (DMA), from May 1996 to September 1996. He was also the Acting Director of National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) from October 1996 to March 1998. He played a major role in transition of DMA into NIMA.

Early life and education Born in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, on 6 August 1942, Dantone graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. degree in Naval Engineering in 1964. Commissioned as an ensign and assigned to flight training, he was designated a naval aviator on 24 September 1965. Dantone later earned M.S. degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Management at the Naval Postgraduate School. He received eighteen months of nuclear power training in 1981 and 1982.

Naval career After completing flight training, Dantone was assigned to VF-84 flying the F-4 Phantom from the carrier in the Mediterranean Sea. Transferred to VF-161, he next flew from the carrier in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Dantone assumed command of the squadron on 6 July 1979, serving until 22 December 1980.

After completing his nuclear power training, Dantone served as executive officer of Enterprise from January 1983 to February 1985. Assigned as the commanding officer of PCU Abraham Lincoln in November 1987, Dantone was reassigned before the new carrier could be commissioned. She was deployed to the Red Sea during the Gulf War before Dantone left her in December 1990.

On 28 November 1995, the Secretary of Defense, Director of Central Intelligence and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff sent a joint letter to Congressional leaders and appropriate committees agreeing in concept to the establishment of a National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). The purpose of NIMA was to consolidate imagery and mapping resources and management, from eight different agencies, into a single agency within the Department of Defense (DoD) to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of imagery intelligence and mapping support to both national and military customers.

Dantone, then Deputy Director for Military Support, National Reconnaissance Office, was named Director of NIMA Implementation Team, and acting director of NIMA. Leo A. Hazlewood, then Deputy Director for Administration, Central Intelligence Agency, and Dr. Annette Krygiel, then Director, Central Imagery Office, were selected as Deputy Directors.

Accolades, and decorations Rear Admiral Dantone was inducted into 2016 Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame. Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal with combat "V" with numeral "8" and one gold star Navy Commendation Medal with combat "V" Vietnam Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal National Intelligence Medal of Achievement