"For
outstanding contributions to technology in the field of electronic
instruments associated
with marine surveying through his able administration of the
Radiosonic Laboratory of the Coast and Geodetic Survey," Clarence
Burmister
was among the Who's Who Among Award Winners.
Clarence, only employee to win the Department of Commerce
exceptional service award for 1954, has been in the Survey
since 1925, when he reported from his home in Pasadena, California,
after receiving his engineering degree from California Institute
of Technology. In his first assignment as a deck officer on
the GUIDE, working out of San Francisco, his commanding officer,
Captain Thomas A. Maher, reported that the young deck officer
was particularly interested and proficient in operating sonic
and electrical equipment. His interest in the field of electronic
instruments and equipment continued through his subsequent
assignments and career in the Survey, until on February 23,
he received the highest award the Department of Commerce can
give. In February 1927, he was commissioned in the Coast and
Geodetic Survey. In July 1942, Clarence was transferred to
the Engineer Amphibian Command, U.S. Army. Upon return to
the Bureau, his commanding officer commended him for his excellent
work, not only as a teacher of officers and men, but also
as a technician developing new procedures and types of navigation
equipment.
Since 1946, he has guided the Radiosonic Laboratory of this
Bureau so that its usefulness to other branches of the Bureau
has greatly increased. A few examples of this are design and
construction of the electronics elements of the visual magnetometer
for Geophysics; the Roberts Radio Meter for Tides and Currents;
a telemetering system for relaying seismic data for Geophysics;
and improvement in the design of circuits used in mapping
cameras for the Photogrammetry Division. In addition, under
his guidance the Electronic Position Indicator System has
been continually redesigned and improved with the result that
"pinpoint" accuracy is obtained in the device used for precise
location of survey vessels engaged in offshore hydrography.
This system has been adopted by the Navy. This exceptional
service medal will be added to the meritorious award which
Clarence received in 1951 for his pioneer work in introducing
Shoran as a navigation system for hydrographic surveys; and
to the Silver Star which he received for gallantry in action
when he was a Corporal with the 110th Infantry near Apremont,
France, in September 1918. Clarence modestly accepts these
and other honors which he receives and quietly pursues his
work and hobbies of gardening and music. Rear Admiral Clarence
A. Burmister, Chief of the Radiosonic Laboratory, retired
May 1, 1956, from active duty after more than 30 years of
service in the Coast and Geodetic Survey. He was born in Prescott,
Arizona, on April 7, 1896, and received his early education
at the Prescott elementary and high schools.
In 1925 he was graduated Cum Laude from California Institute
of Technology, with the degree Bachelor of Science. On September
1, 1925, he entered on duty in the Coast and Geodetic Survey
as Ensign and has advanced continuously through the grades
to the highest rank in the service. His first assignment was
at the San Francisco District Office until the end of September
when he was assigned to see duty aboard the Ship GUIDE engaged
on hydrographic surveys alone the Pacific coast. His next
assignment was a tour of duty in the Philippine Islands aboard
the Ships MARINDUQUE, old PATHFINDER and FATHOMER. Upon his
return to the States he was assigned to the Washington Office
from November 1, 1929 to February 24, 1930.
He then returned to sea, serving aboard the Ships OCEANOGRAPHER,
RANGER, NATOMA, and LYDONIA engaged on hydrographic surveys
along the Atlantic coast, HYDROGRAPHER conducting EPI-controlled
hydrographic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, and the DISCOVERER,
EXPLORER and SURVEYOR engaged on combined operations in the
Aleutian Islands, Alaska. On other assignments he served as
Chief of Party in Georgia and Florida with the Ship MILLER
under his command, and with the Inspector of COnstruction
in Seattle, Washington, during the building of the new Ship
PATHFINDER.
During World War II he was detached for duty with the War
Department Headquarters Amphibian Command. For this service
he was awarded the following CITATION: "CLERENCE A. BURMISTER
is hereby authorized to war the Army Commendation Ribbon by
direction of the Secretary of War for outstanding and meritorious
service from August 8, 1942, to December 4, 1943. During this
period Commander Burmister served on the staff of the Commanding
General, engineer Amphibian Command, Camp Edwards, Massachusetts,
as Technical Navigation Advisor. He was particularly outstanding
in developing navigation aids which later proved highly successful
in the prosecution of a new and effective type of amphibious
warfare. Through untiring efforts, wholehearted and loyal
attention to duty, Commander Burmister reflected great credit
upon the military service and himself."
Also during World War II he was detached for a special assignment
with the United States Navy at Brunswick, Maine, and for advanced
study at Bowdoin College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in electronics. During World War I he served in France with
Company C, 110th Infantry, 28th Division from September 1917
to June 1919, and participated in the Aisne River, Meuse Argonne
and St. Mihiel engagements. He was awarded the SILVER MEDAL
for gallantry in action near Apremont, France.
"On
September 29, 1918, he was knocked unconscious by a machine-gun
bullet which grazed his scalp during an enemy heavy machine-gun
and artillery fire. Upon recovering consciousness he carried
a wounded comrade to a place of safety. His conduct exemplified
great courage and disregard for personal safety." As a result
of this citation, the Navy Board of Decorations and Medals
on October 14, 1955, recommended that he be accorded the benefits
of combat retirement. Consequently, upon his retirement he
was promoted to the rank of Admiral by the Secretary of Commerce.
Admiral Burmister has served as Chief of the Radiosonic Laboratory
from October 22, 1945, to the date of his retirement. During
this time he has made outstanding contributions in research,
design, and development of electronic methods pertaining to
position fixing in hydrographic surveying. Shoran was developed
and adapted by him to accurately control the position fixing
of hydrographic surveys extending from 50 to 100 miles offshore.
The Electronic Position Indicator (EPI) was designed, constructed,
and developed in the Radiosonic Laboratory under his direction
for the position fixing of hydrographic surveys extending
beyond the range of other electronic equipment. EPI has been
adopted by the United States Navy for their special control
projects.
Under his direction the Laboratory has also developed specifications
for a new type portable echo-sounder. This scientific instrument
is the first developed since World War II and contains many
of the electronic and mechanical advances made during and
since the close of hostilities.
Among the other accomplishments under his direction are the
development of the electronic elements of a visual magnetometer,
the electronic elements of a radio current meter, a telemetering
system for relaying seismic data to remote recorders, and
improvements is the design of mapping cameras. Leadership,
guidance, and the example of technical competence set by Admiral
Burmister for the employees under his supervision have been
the principal factors in the success of projects assigned
to the Radiosonic Laboratory.
His encouragement of independent thought and original approach
to research and development characterized his administration
of the Laboratory, and have resulted in superior and timely
solutions to many challenging assignments in the field of
electronics. In 1951, Admiral Burmister was awarded the Department
of Commerce's Silver Medal for meritorious achievements in
his introduction of precision electronic instruments in hydrographic
surveying.
In 1955, he was further honored with the Department of Commerce's
Gold Medal for exceptional service in his administration of
the Radiosonic Laboratory leading to outstanding technological
advances in hydrographic surveying. Admiral Burmister is the
only person in the Coast and Geodetic Survey to receive both
of these awards. He is the author or numerous papers on navigational
systems. Some of these papers have appeared in the United
Nations publication, World Cartography, International Hydrographic
Review, Surveying and Mapping and The Journal of the
Institute of Navigation.
Through his able authorship and as an effective speaker before
various well-known scientific organizations, Admiral Burmister
has effectively demonstrated how modern electronic advancements
have contributed in a major way to the present high standing
of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in the scientific and engineering
world. Admiral Burmister has served for a number of years
as a member of the Executive Committee, Radio Technical Commission
for Marine Services.
He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Honorary Engineering Fraternity,
the Society of American Military Engineers, Institute of Navigation
and U.S. Naval Institute. On Monday evening, May 14, 1956,
at the annual dinner at the Army Map Service, the Society
of American Military Engineers presented Rear Admiral Clarence
A. Burmister with the COLBERT MEDAL for 1955 for his outstanding
contributions in the field of electronics of scientific value
to the military. This was the first award of the COLBERT MEDAL,
and Rear Admiral Leo Otis Colbert, C&GS, retired, made the
presentation. Admiral Burmister has long been interested in
community and church affairs, particularly in the Chevy Chase
and Bethesda areas.
He has been active in teaching boys' classes in the Chevy
Chase Presbyterian Church and is Treasurer of the church school.
Admiral Burmister will continue to reside at 5604 Wilson Lane,
Bethesda, Maryland, for the present.
The Buzzard, 2-3/1955
The Buzzard, 5/3/1956
The Buzzard, 5/18/1956
