Iliff David Richardson
| Iliff David Richardson | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Rich |
| Born |
April 9, 1918 Denver, Colorado |
| Died | October 10, 2001 (aged 83) Houston Texas |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
.svg){kind=small} United States Navy
|
| Rank | Ensign |
| Unit | PT 34, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star with oak leaf cluster |
Iliff David "Rich" Richardson (April 9, 1918, Denver, Colorado – October 10, 2001, Houston Texas) was simultaneously a US Navy ensign and a US Army major while fighting with the Philippine resistance during World War II. He recounted his exploits to author Ira Wolfert, who published them in the book American Guerrilla in the Philippines in 1945. A character based on Richardson was played by Tyrone Power in the 1950 film of the same name.
Richardson was the only surviving child of Methodist Minister Royal Richardson, who died when Iliff was three years old. His mother Velma Weston Richardson taught Latin and music and raised Iliff in a variety of Colorado towns and her father's Nebraska ranch, located northwest of Springview, Nebraska. After his death, the Richardsons went to live in Los Angeles.
Iliff studied at Compton Junior College, then travelled through Europe, the Near and Middle East, returning to the US before the fall of France in World War II.
In 1940 he was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy and was posted to the USS Bittern, a minesweeper in the Philippines. He later transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, commanded by John D. Bulkeley. Richardson was the executive officer of PT 34, under Bob Kelly.
...
Wikipedia