Joseph J. Dantone

Rear Admiral Joseph J. Dantone of U.S. Navy, was last director of 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.

Joseph J. Dantone
Official portrait of Joseph J. Dantone
Birth name	Joseph J. Dantone
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Rear Admiral

Defense Mapping Agency

Rear Admiral Dantone led the NIMA transition team that established the mission, function, organizational structure and program plan for the new agency. He led the consolidation of resources from eight different agencies into the new agency after gaining the approval of Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and various oversight congressional committees.[1]

On November 28, 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.[2]

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.[2]

He was inducted into 2016 Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame.[3]

Accolades, and decorations

Rear Admiral Dantone was inducted into 2016 Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame.[3]
Dantone flew over 150 combat missions in Southeast Asia. His military decorations include:[1][4]

• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Medal
• Navy Commendation Medal with combat "V"
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Kuwait Liberation Medal
• National Intelligence Medal of Achievement

References

1. "Rear Adm. Joseph J. Dantone Jr". nga.mil. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
2. "National Imagery and Mapping Agency Proposed to Congress — Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
3. "Former leaders, female geospatial pioneers inducted into 2016 Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame". www.nga.mil. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
4. "Historical Handbook of NGA Leaders" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. Office of Corporate Communications. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.