Major General Edward V. Richardson

January 27, 2025

Maj. Gen. Edward (Rick) V. Richardson is the adjutant general of the state of Hawaii, Department of Defense. He serves as a member of the governor’s cabinet and is the military commander of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard and director of State Civil Defense.

Richardson graduated from Kamehameha School for Boys, Honolulu, in June 1952, and attended the University of Hawaii, from 1952 to 1955. His military education includes the Squadron Officer School, 1968; Air Command and Staff College, 1972; and National Security Management Course, 1978.

Richardson began his military career when he joined the Hawaii ANG in February 1956. He entered the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program in May of the same year, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in October 1957. Upon returning to the Hawaii ANG, he flew a variety of aircraft for the 199th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

From February 1962 to July 1965, the general served as the assistant operations officer for the 199th FIS, performing duties as an instructor pilot and standardization/evaluation flight officer. From July 1965 to June 1966, he served as flying safety officer for the 154th Fighter Group. He then returned to the 199th FIS as assistant operations officer until August 1968. In December 1968, the general volunteered for active duty in Southeast Asia, and was assigned to the 64th FIS in Thailand, and DaNang Air Base, Vietnam. He returned to the 199th FIS as operations officer from October 1970 to October 1974.

Richardson was selected as commander of the 199th FIS in August 1974. He was assigned as chief of staff at Headquarters, Hawaii ANG, in September 1978. The general was appointed as the commander, Hawaii ANG, in February 1982, and promoted to brigadier general in December 1982. He served as commander until Feb. 7, 1991, at which time he assumed his present position.

General Richardson is a command pilot with over 3,660 flying hours in the F-86E, T-33, F-86L, F-102A, and F-4C aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit, Hawaii National Guard Commendation Medal and Hawaii National Guard 30-year Service Bar.

In his civilian capacity, Richardson has been employed by the Hawaii National Guard and the state of Hawaii Department of Defense since July 1962.

His civic affiliations include the Order of the Daedalian; National Guard Association of the U.S. and Hawaii; Adjutants General Association of the U.S.; Hawaii Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; director, Air Force Association; director, Friends of lolani Palace; Prince kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club; Holy Nativity Church; Spinnaker Isle Association; Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association; Oahu Country Club; Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Armed Services Committee; Honolulu Pacific Federal Executive Board; and Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The general was promoted to and federally recognized as a major general on April 8, 1992.

Last update February 2001

Position Appointment 1982
Promotion 1982
Position Appointment 1991
Legion of Merit 1993
Retirement 2000

Richardson to Command Air Guard

Col. Edward V. Richardson
Commander, HANG

(Picture from the 1982 Spring Pūpūkahi)

Col. Edward V. Richardson is the new assistant adjutant general (air) of the Department of Defense.

As assistant adjutant, Richardson will be commander of the 1,900-member Hawaii Air National Guard.

Richardson, 47, has been HANG chief of staff since September 1978, serving under Brig. Gen. Arthur U. Ishimoto.

Richardson joined HANG in February 1956. A jet fighter pilot by training, he has served in a number of aircraft operation and flight-related positions in the National Guard.

He flew the F-86F, F-86L, and T-33 in the 1950s and flew the F-102A from 1961 to 1975.

Between 1962 and 1974, he served as assistant operations officer, instrument pilot and standardization evaluation flight examiner, flying safety officer, and operations officer.

In December 1968, he volunteered for active duty in Southeast Asia, flying 40 combat sorties in the F-102A.

In a recent address to HANG commanders, Richardson said, “I think we are all striving for the same goal—that of improving the HANG . . . If you can create an environment that causes a member to say, as they leave at 1600 hours on Sunday after a UTA, ‘I certainly spent two satisfying days at the Guard this weekend,’ then you have done your job.”
– 1982 Spring Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Richardson Appointed TAG

By Michelle Al-Chang

Brig. Gen. Edward V. Richardson

(Picture from the 1991 January – March Pūpūkahi)

Brig. Gen. Edward V. Richardson is the new Adjutant General for Hawaii. He was appointed by Gov. John Waihee on Feb. 8 and confirmed by the State Senate on April 11.

He has served as commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard since 1982 and replaces Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, who retired Feb. 7.

Brig. Gen. Richardson began his military career in 1956 when he joined the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG). He received his commission the following year upon completion of the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program.

Richardson piloted the F-86E, F-86L and T-33 aircraft from 1958 to 1960, and the F-102 from 1961 to 1975. In the early 1960s, he was assigned as the assistant operations officer, 199th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, and served as instructor pilot and standardization evaluation flight officer.

He graduated from the Squadron Officers School in 1963 and was transferred to the 154th Fighter Group as flying safety officer. He returned to the 199th in 1968, first serving as assistant operations officer and then as operations officer from 1970 to 1974.

In 1968, Richardson volunteered for active duty in Southeast Asia and served with the 64th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Thailand and Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam. In 1974, he became the commander of the 199th FIS. He served as chief of staff at Headquarters, Hawaii Air National Guard, in 1978 until his appointment as commander of the HIANG and assistant adjutant general, air.

Brig. Gen. Richardson’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Readiness Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Hourglass Devices, Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit, Hawaii National Guard Commendation Medal, and Hawaii National Guard 30-year Service Bar.

Brig. Gen. Richardson was born in Puʻunēnē, Maui, and attended Kamehameha School for Boys and the University of Hawaii. He is married to the former Cecelia Yang of Honolulu. The couple have a son, Nelson Travis, and a daughter, Rhanda Kuuipo.
– 1991 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Richardson Says Farewell to Troops at Hickam Ceremony

Y2K Brings New Changes to Hawaii National Guard Leadership

By Capt. Charles J. Anthony

PASSING OF AN ERA- Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, joined by his Commander in Chief Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, reviews the Hawaii National Guard troops.

TOUCH DOWN – Hickam Air Force Base fire trucks shoot a cross cannon burst as Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson’s F-15 Eagle taxis to the 154th Wing F-15 flightline. Richardson completed his last flight as commander of the Hawaii National Guard.

TROOPS ASSEMBLED – Hawaii National Guard soldiers and airmen assemble on the F-15 flightline prior to the start of the retirement ceremony.

COLORS FOREWARD Commander of Troops Brig. Gen. Michael H. Tice and Hawaii National Guard color guards start the formal part of the retirement ceremony.

GOING OUT WlTH A BANG – Soldiers from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, fire a 13-gun salute honoring retiring Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson.

BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN … Cecilia Richardson receives the Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit from Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, retiring Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson looks on.

AERIAL FAREWELL – Hawaii Army National Guard CH-47D Chinook and UH60A Blackhawk helicopters do a flyby overHickam Air Force Base, where Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson began and ended his military career.

THANKS TO A WINNING TEAM Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson says aloha to the troops.

OVER THE RAINBOW -The 111th Army Band plays at Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson’s retirement ceremony.

(Pictures from the 2000 January – February Pūpūkahi)

A retirement ceremony hosted by Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, in honor of Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, was held at the 154th Wing’s F-15 flightline at Hickam Air Force Base, Jan. 9.

Richardson retired after 43 years of military service. “I spent 27 years of my life flying airplanes, working in this facility and on this flightline,” said Richardson. “I have experienced many successes and happy occasions on this ramp. Some of my greatest memories and friendships with our officer and enlisted corps have been forged right here.”

Richardson was appointed the adjutant general of the State of Hawaii Department of Defense on Feb. 8, 1991, and reappointed in December 1994 and again in December 1998. He served as a member of the governor’s cabinet and was responsible for training and readiness programs, policies and plans for the 5,500 members of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard. He was also director of State Civil Defense and provided direct support to the Office of Veterans Services and veterans throughout the state.

Participating units at the retirement ceremony included the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, 103rd Troop Command, 154th Wing and 201st Combat Communications Group. The 111th Army Band performed ceremonial music, and Battery A, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, fired a gun salute. CH-47D Chinooks from Company C, 193rd Aviation; UH-60A Blackhawks from Hilo; and an F-15A Eagle from the 199th Fighter Squadron conducted a flyover near the conclusion of the ceremony.

Maj. Gen. Edward L. Correa Jr., former Hawaii Army National Guard commander, has assumed the position of the new adjutant general. On Jan. 27, the State Senate Transportation and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee unanimously passed Correa’s nomination. He was unanimously confirmed by the full State Senate on Feb. 7.

Since Correa’s appointment, there has been a spate of command changes within the Hawaii Army National Guard. Col. James R. Carpenter, formerly commandant of the 298th Regiment–Regional Training Institute at Bellows Air Force Station, has been named the new Hawaii Army Guard commander. Col. Clarence M. Agena, Hawaii Army Guard chief of staff, has been named the new deputy adjutant general. Col. Glen I. Sakagawa has assumed duties as the new commander of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, and Col. Vern T. Miyagi was selected as the new chief of staff.
– 2000 January – February Pūpūkahi pp. 1