James William Burpitt (June 12, 1900 - October 24, 1982) was an American civil engineer and Army officer. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Burpitt attended high school in Atlanta before attending the Georgia School of Technology (Georgia Tech) and graduated in 1922. While at Georgia Tech, Burpitt was part of the R.O.T.C. program and was commissioned as an officer even before graduation. In February 1942, when Burpitt filled out his Selective Service Registration Card, he was working for himself as a civil engineer. By 1944, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers and had reached the rank of captain. After the war, Burpitt stayed in the Army and helped build military cemeteries in Paris, France. At one point, he was assigned to (worked for?) the American Battle Monuments Commission. Burpitt retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel. After retirement, he split his time between Atlanta and Nokomis, Florida. He married Pauline Landon Burpitt on June 20, 1925, with whom he had two daughters.