Edward A. Wilkinson

Rear Admiral Edward Anderson Wilkinson Jr. (September 21, 1933 – May 23, 2020) of United States Navy was the Director Defense Mapping Agency from July 1983 to July 1985. He was also the deputy director of Defense Mapping Agency from July 1979 to May 1981.

Early life, and education

Rear Admiral Edward A. Wilkinson was born on September 21, 1933, in Selma, Alabama. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1955 and earned his wings as a naval aviator the following year. He received an MS in engineering from George Washington University in 1963, and graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in 1969, and National War College in 1973.

Early career

Some highlights of Wilkinson's early career include:

Defense Mapping Agency

Rear Admiral Edward A. Wilkinson was deputy director of Defense Mapping Agency from July 1979 to May 1981.

As DMA director between 1983 and 1985, under his leadership the agency implemented the Digital Production System, an ambitious modernization program which sought to redesign and retool its MC&G production systems and processes. During Wilkinson's tenure, DMA – a heritage organization of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency – implemented Phase I (Mark 85) of the program on time and in budget.

Mark 85 improved and enhanced hardcopy production methods, improved production management and database management, and provided an initial softcopy production capability. Mark 85 capability allowed DMA to continue to produce critical geographic products to U.S. military forces from new digital national reconnaissance imagery.

Accolades

Rear Admiral Wilkinson's military decorations and awards include:

Death

Wilkinson died at his home in Perdido Beach, Alabama at the age of 86.
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