James H. Wakelin Jr.

James Henry Wakelin Jr. (May 6, 1911 – December 21, 1990) was a United States physicist, oceanographer, and businessman who served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research and Development) from 1959 to 1964.

Wakelin's work at B.F. Goodrich focused on the structure and physical properties of natural and synthetic rubber, and with X-ray diffraction and electron microscope studies of high polymers.

In 1945, he joined the United States Navy's Office of Research and Inventions as head of the Chemistry, Mathematics, and Mechanics and Materials Sections of the Planning Division.

In 1954, Wakelin formed a consulting firm, in which capacity he would go on to provide advice to General Electric's Lamp Division; the Stanford Research Institute; the American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation; J.P. Stevens & Co.; the Frenchtown Porcelain Co.; and the Star Porcelain Co. Also in 1954, Wakelin was one of the founders of the Chesapeake Instrument Corporation, set up to conduct research and development for the United States Navy in the field of underwater acoustics.

On leaving the government, Wakelin became president of Research Analysis Corporation and served on the Board of Trustees of National Geographic Magazine.