William R. Richardson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William R. Richardson
|
|
|---|---|
General William R. Richardson
|
|
| Born | March 25, 1929 Taizhou, Jiangsu, China |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1951–1986 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | United States Army Training and Doctrine Command United States Army Combined Arms Center 193rd Infantry Brigade 198th Infantry Brigade 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal with "V" (4) Purple Heart |
| Other work | Vice President, Burdeshaw Associates, Ltd. Board of Advisors, National Infantry Foundation |
General William Rowland Richardson (born March 25, 1929) is a retired four-star general from the United States Army. He is well-known for leading the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, also called TRADOC. This command helps train soldiers and develop new ideas for the Army.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Rowland Richardson was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, on March 25, 1929. His parents were missionaries, which means they traveled to other countries to share their beliefs.
He later came to the United States and attended the United States Military Academy. This is a special college where future Army officers are trained. He graduated in 1951 and became an officer in the Infantry, which is the part of the Army that fights on foot. His first job was in Japan with the 24th Infantry Division.
Military Career Highlights
General Richardson had a long and important career in the Army. He served in two major conflicts: the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Service in Korea and Vietnam
In 1953, he was sent to Korea with the 7th Infantry Division. After the Korean War ended, he held various important roles.
In 1966, he took command of the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment. He led his battalion to Vietnam during the war. Later, he became a key planner for the 9th Infantry Division.
He returned to Vietnam in 1971 to command the 198th Infantry Brigade. He then became the Chief of Staff for the Americal Division. After his time in Vietnam, he helped lead the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, starting in 1972.
From 1974 to 1977, he commanded the 193rd Infantry Brigade in the Panama Canal Zone. This was another important leadership role.
Leadership Roles and Retirement
From 1979 to 1981, General Richardson led the United States Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth. This center helps develop how different parts of the Army work together. He also served as the commandant of the Command and General Staff College there.
In 1983, he became the commander of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). This is a very high-ranking position where he was in charge of training all soldiers and developing new strategies for the Army. He retired from this important role in 1986.
Awards and Recognition
General Richardson received many awards for his bravery and service. Some of his top awards include:
- The Army Distinguished Service Medal (twice)
- The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
- The Silver Star (twice), which is given for bravery in combat
- The Legion of Merit (three times)
- The Distinguished Flying Cross
- The Bronze Star Medal with "V" device (four times), given for heroic actions
- The Purple Heart, awarded to soldiers wounded in battle
- The Combat Infantryman Badge, showing he fought in combat as an infantry soldier
He also earned awards from other countries, like the Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit.
Life After the Army
After retiring from the Army, General Richardson continued to be involved in military-related work. He worked for Burdeshaw Associates, Ltd., a company that advises on defense. He was an executive vice president there until 1995.
He also serves on the board of advisors for the National Infantry Foundation. This foundation supports infantry soldiers and their families. He is also involved with O'Connell and Associates, another defense consulting firm. In 2007, he joined the board of trustees for the Command and General Staff College Foundation. He also advises the Code of Support Foundation, which helps military service members and their families.
In 1999, he received the Doughboy Award from the Infantry Center. This award honors people who have made great contributions to the Infantry. In 2008, he was added to the Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame.
