NOTAM 10-2015 (VADM Richardson)
Dear Golden Eagles, It is my sad duty to inform you that Emeritus Member, VADM David Charles Richardson, USN (Ret) made his last take-Off, in his San Diego home on Saturday June 13, 2015. His family was with him and celebrated his life so well lived. At the grand age of 101 years old, he left this world; one that he continually, throughout his life, sought to make a better place. David was born in Meridian, Mississippi, in April, 1914, the only child of Isaiah and Anne Kate Richardson. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, graduated from Marion Institute and was sponsored to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated with the class of 1936 and after two years on the battleship USS Tennessee and USS Downes, he found his way to Pensacola, Florida, and earned his wings on 1 April 1940. Reporting to Fighting Squadron Five, David flew F3F’s and F4F’s. In 1942 he saw action when he flew off the USS Saratoga, was credited with the first kill of a Japanese "May" seaplane while under control of the USS Saratoga, and then to Guadalcanal, where he shot down three additional enemy aircraft and was himself shot down. He earned his Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medals and Purple Heart during that action. Later in the war he commanded Fighter Squadron One. Following WWII, David studied at the Royal Navy staff College in London and then spent two years at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, as a student and staff member . He commanded Carrier air Group 13 during the Korean War and served in mid-career commands including naval aviation planning for both Europe and the Pacific. Additional commands included USS Cimarron and the USS Hornet, where he won the Battle Efficiency Award. With promotion to Rear Admiral, David commanded Carrier Division Five/CTF-77 operating off Vietnam. In 1968 he was selected for Vice Admiral and assumed command of US Sixth Fleet based in Gaeta, Italy. In 1972 he retired as Deputy Commander, Pacific Fleet based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the family moved to Julian, California. Following his naval service David began consulting and advising in the exploitation of intelligence and in the technology of command and control of naval forces. He served many years on various intelligence panels, including the Naval Research Advisory committee, and was a member of the Naval Intelligence Advisory Board. On his 95th birthday, David was presented a letter recognizing him for his significant and sustained activities and contributions to Naval intelligence. All of his successes wouldn’t have been as easy without the love and support of his beloved wife of 58 years, Jeanne. In 1955 David married Jeanne M. Simonds, a Navy widow and mother of Caprice. He had two sons from a previous marriage, David W. and Robert, so they combined both families and added three more children of their own, Ruthanne, Schamber and Samuel Richardson. For many years the family enjoyed their Mammoth Lakes condo where they fished the streams and lakes in summer and skied in winter. They saw all six children graduate from colleges across the country and remained active in their lives. Throughout his retirement, David remained active at all Saints Episcopal Church, the Julian Lions Club, QED, The Golden Eagles, the Tailhook Association, and various Intelligence organizations. David was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne in June, 2014; and recently by his son CDR David W. Richardson, USN in May, 2015.Surviving David is Caprice (Dan), Robert, Ruthanne (John), Schamber (Mark), Captain Samuel Richardson, USN (Beth) and his daughter in law Margaret. He has twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren, two sister-in-laws and various nephews and nieces. A private Memorial/burial at Miramar National Cemetery will take place on July 16th at 1400. The Golden Eagles members are invited to attend the Memorial/burial and a reception at the Miramar Officers Club to follow at 1500. If you wish to attend the reception please RSVP directly to Captain Samuel Richardson, USN at slammerf14@sbcglobal.net Ever mindful to the needs of others, David Richardson will be remembered for his distinguished military leadership, as a caring patriarch of a large and loving family, a generous contributor to the arts as well as to policy institutes which support American economic and structural freedoms; he leaves all who knew him with a wonderful example of a life well lived. We have lost another member of "The Greatest Generation" who has fought in WWII, Korea, ans Vietnam. He will be missed. In Sadness, Don Boecker-Pilot |
