COL Walton K Richardson

COL Walton K. Richardson

Died: August 2, 1994

Walton K. Richardson, Jr. grew up in Troy NY, with the nickname "Wally." He graduated from Heatly High School in June, 1939. He attended Syracuse University in New York until he was drafted in 1942 at the start of WWII. He served in Europe, and was enlisted until 1945 when given a commission as an Army 2nd Lieutenant. He and Kathryn Foley were married in Jackson Heights, NY, in May, 1946. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in April of 1947.

1LT Richardson was awarded the "Bronze Star" in October, 1950, for meritorious service during the Korean War:

FOR HEROIC ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY, AT HILL 977, NEAR KUMI, KOREA, ON THE NIGHT OF 28 SEPTEMBER 1950. ...HAVING DISCOVERED A GROUP OF ENEMY GUERRILLA TROOPS PREPARING TO ATTACK AN ISOLATED SIGNAL SUPPLY DUMP, LIEUTENANT RICHARDSON, WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL SAFETY, HASTILY ORGANIZED HIS SMALL DETACHMENT AND LED THEM IN AN ATTACK ON THE NUMERICALLY SUPERIOR ENEMY GROUP. AS A RESULT OF LIEUTENANT RICHARDSON'S ACTIONS THE ENEMY GROUP WAS DRIVEN OFF, SEVERAL PRISONERS WERE CAPTURED, AND RELATIVELY IRREPLACEABLE SIGNAL EQUIPMENT WAS SAVED."

He was promoted to Captain, Regular Army, in October, 1951, while stationed in Korea. He was promoted to Major, Regular Army in January, 1959, while stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. His nickname became "Rich" during his service years.

MAJ Richardson was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for "MERITORIOUS SERVICE DURING THE PERIOD OF 27 JUNE 1963 TO 8 JULY 1964 WHILE SERVING AS COMMANDING OFFICER, 8TH SIGNAL BATTALION, 8TH INFANTRY DIVISION."

He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1963 while stationed in Germany, and promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1969.

He was awarded the Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of Outstanding Services, from August 1964 to December, 1967.

While on active duty, he returned to college at the University of Maryland, and received a B.S. in Military Science, in 1967. He attended the Navy War College for a year in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1970. He earned an M.A. in International Affairs, 1970, from George Washington University in Washington D.C.

In June, 1971, he was appointed as the Signal Officer for the Eighth U. S. Army in Korea.

He retired as a Colonel in 1973, and he and Kate moved to San Antonio, Texas that year. He was an avid golfer, bridge player, and active volunteer at his church, St. John Neuman.

He died on August 2, 1994 in San Antonio, Texas of esophageal cancer. His burial was at Arlington National Cemetery on August 15, 1994. He is survived by his wife, Kate, four children, Thomas Walton Richardson, Woodbridge, VA; Patricia Dewan, Staunton, VA; Pamela Grover, Centerville, Ohio, and Nancy Kenyon, Wilmington, Delaware; and twelve grandchildren.