Cecil R. Richardson

Last updated
Cecil R. Richardson
Chaplains- Air Force.JPG
Born1947or1948(age 77–78) [1]
West Virginia, United States
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg United States of America
Branch Seal of the US Air Force.svg United States Air Force
Years of service1966–1970 (enlisted)
1977–2012
Rank US Air Force O8 shoulderboard rotated (1949-1999).svg Major General
Awards Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit

Chaplain (Major General) Cecil Roland Richardson, USAF (born c. 1947), retired as the 16th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force, effective June 1, 2012, [2] with an official retirement ceremony on May 30, 2012. [3] He was appointed to that assignment on May 28, 2008. [2] [4]

Contents

Richardson, a member of the Assemblies of God, was the first Pentecostal minister to be promoted to flag officer rank in the U.S. Air Force. [5] He has said that his role was to be "a pastor to Christians, and a chaplain to all." [6]

Early military career

Before ordination, Richardson served in the Air Force as an enlisted man, working as a Russian interpreter and intercept operator. [2]

With Brig Gen Mike Holmes, during Richardson's first visit to Bagram Airbase Afghanistan since taking over as Air Force Chief of Chaplains. Cecil Richardson Bagram.jpg
With Brig Gen Mike Holmes, during Richardson's first visit to Bagram Airbase Afghanistan since taking over as Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

Education

Richardson's educational background includes: [2]

Assignments

Richardson served as Deputy Air Force Chief of Chaplains from April 2004-May 2008, and began serving as Chief of Chaplains May 2008. Prior to these positions, his assignments included: [2]

Enlisted assignments

Chaplain assignments

Awards and military decorations

Among Richardson's numerous military awards and decorations are: [2]

USAF Christian Chaplain Insignia.jpg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg
Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg
Air Force Good Conduct ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon.svg
U.S. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon.svg Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge.png Headquarters US Air Force Badge.png
Badge Air Force Christian Chaplain Badge
1st Row Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal
2nd Row Meritorious Service Medal with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
3rd Row Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster Air Force Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
4th Row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short with oak leaf cluster
5th Row Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Badges Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge Headquarters Air Force badge

See also

References

  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2016-09-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Chaplain (Major General) Cecil R. Richardson". Biographies. USAF. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  3. USAF news, retrieved August 31, 2012
  4. Evangel University News- Graduate Promoted to Major General, Named Air Force Chief of Chaplains Archived 2010-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
  5. chaplaincy.ag.org Archived 2011-01-04 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved May 12, 2011.
  6. www.maxwell.af.mil, retrieved May 12, 2011.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force
2008–2012
Succeeded by