Captain Joseph C. Partington was born February 2, 1900, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He was appointed as a Deck Officer and on December 4, 1925, was commissioned as an Ensign.

During his 31-year career Captain Partington served aboard the following ships: the DISCOVERER, SURVEYOR as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, EXPLORER, GUIDE, MIKAWE as Executive Officer, PATTON as Commanding Officer, PATHFINDER as Executive Officer, and at the time of his retirement (July 1, 1956) the HYDROGRAPHER as Commanding Officer. His other assignments included triangulation, wire drag, hydrography, and photogrammetry.

Captain Partington was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II from November 1942 through September 1944. This tour of duty was in the South Pacific where over a year was spent in making invasion maps in the Solomon Islands.

He was awarded medals for Victory, World War I; Campaign and Service, Victory, World War II; National Defense (Pre-Pearl Harbor); Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Theatre; and Campaign, American Theatre.

He is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 55 years, and three sons.

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NOAA CORPS BULLETIN, 5/1/1986