George Richards (Marine Corps)

George Richards (February 6, 1872 – January 9, 1948) was an American officer born at Ironton, Ohio, and serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Boxer Rebellion. He was one of 23 Marine Corps officers approved to receive the Marine Corps Brevet Medal for bravery.

George Richards
Born	(1872-02-06)February 6, 1872 Ironton, Ohio
Died	January 9, 1948(1948-01-09) (aged 75)
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1891–1936
Rank	Major General
Battles / wars	Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Boxer Rebellion World War I
Awards	Marine Corps Brevet Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Biography

He was born on February 6, 1872. In 1891 Richards graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He retired March 1, 1936, as a Major General after over 40 years of service and died January 9, 1948.

Awards

• Brevet Medal
• Distinguished Service Medal
• Sampson Medal
• Spanish Campaign Medal
• China Relief Expedition Medal
• Philippine Campaign Medal
• Cuban Pacification Medal
• World War I Victory Medal
• Officer, Legion of Honor (France)

Presidential citation for the Brevet Medal

Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Marine Corps Brevet Medal to George Richards, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at the battle of Tientsin, China, on the 13th day of July 1900. On 15 June 1901, appointed Lieutenant Colonel, by brevet.

Secretary of the Navy citation for the Brevet Medal

Citation The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in transmitting to Major George Richards, United States Marine Corps, the Brevet Medal which is awarded in accordance with Marine Corps Order No. 26 (1921), for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy while serving as Paymaster, Colonel Robert L. Meade's Marine Regiment, at the battle of Tientsin, China, on 13 July 1900. On 15 June 1901, Major Richards is appointed Lieutenant Colonel, by brevet, to take rank from 13 July 1900.

Navy Distinguished Service Medal citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General George Richards, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility in the organization and administration of the Paymaster's Department of the Marine Corps during World War I. Through his energy and efficient management this Department was able successfully to meet the greatly increased burdens and responsibility placed upon it.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

General

• John E. Lelle SgtMaj. USMC (Ret) (1988). The Brevet Medal. Quest Publishing Co. ISBN 0-915779-02-1.
• "Marine Corps Officers: 1798 to 1900". Naval Historical Center. 2006-04-06. Archived from the original on 2006-06-23. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
• Edward S. Haynes (May 1972). "The United States Marine Corps Brevet Medal and Its Recipients". The Collector. 23 (5).
• Brigadier General George Richards USMC (December 1922). "Don't Give Up the Ship (Address delivered at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, January 10, 1922)". Naval Institute Proceedings. 48 (12): 2189. Retrieved 2009-12-23.

Specific