Department of Defense

Major General 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.

General 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.

General 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.

General 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, General 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 United States and Hawaii; Adjutants General Association of the United States; 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; Qahu 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