Former leaders, female geospatial pioneers inducted into 2016 Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency inducted the Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame Class of 2016 during a ceremony at NGA headquarters in Springfield, VA on October 4. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony was part of the agency’s 20th anniversary celebration.

“For those who have been inducted, this is truly the pinnacle of achievement and recognition for anyone who has served in the geospatial intelligence enterprise,” said Robert Cardillo, NGA director. “We’re in the presence of a truly exclusive group of Americans and allies – the innovators, explorers and trailblazers who’ve defined our past and shaped our future.”

The Geospatial Hall of Fame recognizes those who have profoundly affected the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and have made significant and transformative contributions to the GEOINT tradecraft. NGA honors and inducts Hall of Fame members each year.

This year the inductees are retired National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Rear Adm. Christian Andreasen; retired Navy Rear Adm. and former National Imagery and Mapping Agency director Joseph Dantone Jr.; B. Louis Decker; Joanne Isham; John Oswald; and two distinct groups of women that comprise the “female geospatial pioneers of World War II.”

Andreasen, who served as chief hydrographer for NGA’s predecessor agency NIMA, is recognized for a legacy of leadership, contributions to an array of technological and analytical innovations, and exceptional service to the agency, and defense, intelligence and civil mission partners.

Former NIMA Director Dantone spearheaded the transformation and creation of NIMA and enhanced the World Geodetic System to better assist the Department of Defense and the Federal Emergency Management Agency during natural disasters.

Decker – a leader in the development, mathematical definition and publication of the WGS-84, the predecessor to the Global Positioning System –helped develop new techniques that improved the accuracy of the Doppler radar. Decker was instrumental in putting WGS-84 data to work for both DoD and the commercial world.

Isham, a former NIMA deputy director, is being recognized for her outstanding leadership, and for her efforts in promoting and developing GEOINT. Isham was also fundamental in integrating the cartographic and imagery communities. In response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Isham collaborated with former NIMA Director James Clapper to redefine NIMA’s mission and structure.

Oswald helped transform the analysis tradecraft from single-source photo interpretation to an advanced analytical effort with expanded content while at NGA’s predecessor organization, the National Photographic Interpretation Center. A former NGA-Denver director, Oswald established professional certifications and standards for a program of analysis and has mentored NGA employees at agency locations across the U.S.

The two groups include the Army Map Service women cartographers, also known as the Military Mapping Maidens, and the Medmenham, United Kingdom, female photo interpreters. They are recognized for their cartography, geodesy and photo analysis accomplishments.

Source: NGA