Director 
National Imagery and Mapping Agency 
October 1996–March 1998 

Rear Adm. Joseph J. Dantone Jr., U.S. Navy, was appointed as the first director of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency in October 1996.

RADM Dantone led the transition team that established the mission, function, organizational structure, and program plan for NIMA, while serving as director of the Defense Mapping Agency. During his tenure, he focused attention on transferring resources from eight different organizations into the new agency. 

Prior to his appointment, RADM Dantone flew over 150 combat missions in Southeast Asia. In May 1966, he reported to Fighter Squadron 84, where he flew F-4 Phantoms and made an extended Mediterranean Sea deployment aboard the USS Independence (CV 62). Beginning in 1967, he was assigned to Fighter Squadron 161 and made two western Pacific combat deployments aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV 43). Based at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, he deployed to the western Pacific and Indian Ocean aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and flew fighter cover during the 1975 evacuation of Saigon, Republic of South Vietnam. Subsequent assignments included the Naval Air Systems Command, as executive officer and then commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 14 assigned to USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), as fighter training officer for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and executive officer of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He commanded the replenishment oiler USS Wichita (AOR 1), the Pre-commissioning Unit, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). He was assigned as director, Program Appraisal Division (OP 81) before assuming command of Carrier Group Three. After April 1994 he served as deputy director, Military Support, National Reconnaissance Office, deputy director, Operations, National Systems Support, Joint Staff, and deputy director, Defense Support Project Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Space). 

RADM Dantone graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 and was designated a naval aviator in September 1965. He earned a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering and material management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. 

His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with combat “V,” and the Vietnam Service, Southwest Asia and Kuwait Liberation Medals. He is also a recipient of the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement.

RADM Dantone was inducted into the GEOINT Hall of Fame in 2016.