Ben Richardson

Colonel Ben Richardson was a National Guardsman who served in Afghanistan following 9/11, and today, is a history teacher at Oswego High School. Up until just recently, he was instructing students in the classroom. Now, he is one of the 30,000 members of the National Guard called to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From delivering life-saving equipment to providing security, the National Guard has been asked to help on the front lines of the battle against the Coronavirus in several ways. In his role as a National Guard Intelligence Officer, Colonel Richardson’s mission is coordinating the support of more than 3,500 New York State National Guardsmen who have been called to active duty.

Colonel Richardson entered the National Guard in 1990. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2008-2009 and at that time, was the leader of a Provincial Police Monitoring Team that worked with Afghan police officers. He also served as the commander of the National Guard’s airport security detail in Rochester following the September 11, 2001 attacks. In addition, Colonel Richardson and his fellow troops assisted residents in the New York City area following Hurricane Sandy. He received his commission through the Officers Candidate School program.

Throughout his military career, he has held a number of various positions including battalion commander, infantry and scout platoon leader, infantry and cavalry company commander, plans and operations officer, intelligence officer and strategic plans officer at the battalion, brigade and division levels. Colonel Richardson served as the intelligence officer for the 1,500-member National Guard force that was mobilized to provide security during the 2004 Republican National Convention, which took place in New York City.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, Government and International Relations from Cornell University and a Master of Military Studies in Unconventional Warfare from American Military University. For his service, Colonel Richardson has received a number of accolades, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the NATO Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the New York State Physical Fitness Medal and the New York State Humanitarian Service Medal.

He and his wife Nancy are parents to two children, a daughter, Claire and a son, Dane.