United Stated Army 4-Star General grouping that is named to General William R. Richardson. General Richardson had a prolific career lasting over 35 years in many different capacities including participation in the occupation of Japan following WWII, one tour in the Korean War and two tours in the Vietnam War. Richardson began his military career graduating from West Point in 1951 and beginning his first assignment in the 24th Infantry Division in the occupation of Japan following WWII. Richardson was then deployed to Korea in 1953 with the 7th Infantry Division as a platoon leader then again in 1965 after the war as a G-3 Plans Officer in the 8th Army. In 1966 Richardson deployed to Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division and then again in 1971 he deployed as Commander of the 198th Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division. Following the Vietnam war Richardson served in several staff and educational capacities. Notably Richardson first was Director of Requirements where he helped prioritize weapons systems following the Vietnam War and later Commandant of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he helped restructure the education system to ensure it meets the demands of the ever modernizing Army. In 1981-83 Richardson served as Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and then returned to restructuring education in 1983 as Commander of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command where he stayed until retiring in 1986. Overall Richardson left a lasting impact throughout the US Army as a extremely decorated individual with many important roles both on the battlefield and in the classroom.
The grouping itself includes several items that would come from various times throughout General Richardsons career including a dress green uniform with jacket, matching trousers and overseas cap, a mess dress uniform including jacket and trousers, a fatigue uniform shirt, a PT shirt with detached name tag, a Brigadier General flag, and a presentation award plaque.
The dress green uniform group includes a jacket, trousers and overseas cap. The dress green jacket has a rank of 4-Star General and is in great shape with no notable staining or defects however the trousers do have some staining on the front right leg. The overseas cap is in great shape with no notable staining and fully intact stitching for the leather sweat band.
The mess dress uniform grouping includes a jacket and trousers. The mess dress jacket has a rank of 4-Star General is in great shape with no notable staining however there is some loose edges to the star billions on the each of the arms. The trouser are in moderate condition with no notable staining however there is evident deteriorating of the elastic banding in the waistline.
The fatigue shirt does not include trousers however would be from earlier in Richardsons career baring the rank of Lieutenant General. The shirt is in good condition with no notable staining present however there is some loose or popped threads evenly dispersed throughout likely due from heavy use.
The PT shirt is in rough shape evident of heavy use over a extended timespan. There is a significant hole in the collar a notable stain on the reverse of the shirt as well as general wear present throughout. There is also a loose green canvas name tag for Richardson that was pinned to this shirt.
The flag in this group is a red general officers flag that bares one star for Brigadier General indicating this was given to Richardson early in his career. The flag is in great condition with some general wear indicating it’s use but it is not named to a specific location during Richardsons career.
Lastly is a presentation award plaque that was presented to General Richardson while serving as Commander of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. The plaque was given to Richardson by Major General Yoseef Peled in 1984. The plaque is in good condition with some light damage to wood varnish present and slight detachment of the paper backing.