Robert C. Richardson III
| Robert C. Richardson III | |
|---|---|
Lt Col Richardson in his P-47
|
|
| Born | January 5, 1918 Rockford, Illinois |
| Died | January 2, 2011 (aged 92) Alexandria, Virginia |
| Place of burial | United States Military Academy Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1939–1967 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Commands held | 1st Composite Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, 83rd Fighter Wing, 4th Fighter Wing |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit Air Medal Croix de Guerre |
| Relations | General Robert C. Richardson, Jr., USA (Father) |
Robert Charlwood Richardson III (5 January 1918 – 2 January 2011) was an American military officer, first of the United States Army Air Corps, then of the United States Air Force, eventually attaining the rank of Brigadier General. A leader in the early days of the U.S. Air Force, he was a renowned expert in tactical nuclear warfare, NATO, and military long range planning. In his early career he is known for his controversial involvement in the World War II "Laconia Incident."
Richardson was born in Rockford, Illinois. In 1932, he attended the Gunnery School in Washington, Connecticut, and in 1933, entered Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1935. He received a congressional appointment from Pennsylvania to the United States Military Academy and graduated in June 1939. He joined the expanding U.S. Army Air Forces attending pilot training schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Randolph and Kelly fields, Texas, graduating in June 1940. In July 1940, he was assigned as a flight instructor at Randolph Field flying AT-6 Texan and AT-7 Navigator training aircraft and subsequently in the advanced twin-engine school at Barksdale Field, Louisiana flying B-10 Martin bomber. In September 1941, he was transferred to the 52nd Fighter Group, Selfridge Field, Michigan, served as squadron commander and group operations officer flying P-40 Warhawk pursuit aircraft, and went with the Group to Norfolk, Virginia, and Florence, South Carolina.
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