Beaufort’s Michael Richardson, 74, joined the United Sates Army in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1967. After basic training and Jump School at Fort Benning, Ga., he trained as a personnel specialist at Fort Jackson. His first duty station was at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) where he practiced airborne jumps. He then began a tour in Vietnam, first at Cam Ranh Bay and later Phan Rang, where he worked with the engineers. While there he was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and a Bronze Star.
He continued to serve in Vietnam for a second tour, this time at Bong Song on the central coast where he earned a Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster. In 1970 he was released from Active Duty and joined the Army Reserves. In 1975 he transferred to the South Carolina National Guard and began a career with the South Carolina State Police.
In 1981 he attended the Palmetto Military Academy and was commissioned. He served with the National Guard for 11 years in an armored cavalry unit in Beaufort, retiring in 1986. He retired from the State Police in 1997. He remains active and is a part-time missionary in Kenya.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
