James J. Richardson

James J. Richardson served in the United States Army for 32 years and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

A resident of Southeast Queens, New York, he was drafted in 1963, beginning his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Fort Still, Oklahoma. After basic training, he was sent to Alaska. His Military Occupation Skill (MOS) was Artillery and Telephone System Operator.

After two years of active duty, Mr. Richardson served the next 30 years as an active-duty reservist instructor, teaching soldiers how to operate the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT).

Mr. Richardson held a full-time job to care for his family at the City’s HRA until his retirement in 1995. After retiring, Mr. Richardson became a Track and Field Official. One of his duties was to start races in various areas such as Randall’s Island, the 168th Armory in New York, and at the University of South Carolina. In 2004 and again in 2006, Mr. Richardson was the Director of the Queens Junior Olympics for ages six to 18 years.

The best kept secret of Mr. Richardson’s life is that at the age of six months old, he was selected to be part of a PET Milk campaign by the Amsterdam News. The purpose of the campaign was maintaining nutritional facts to determine the benefits of the milk. Several pictures, which included Mr. Richardson, were used in Ebony Magazine in 1950. Copies are also available in public libraries and the Schomburg Center in Manhattan.

Mr. Richardson is an active member of the Southeast Queens, Senator Leroy Comrie’s Veterans Advisory Committee, and a member of Morningstar Baptist Church. He participates in many veterans’ activities in the Southeast Queens area.

He received numerous awards and military decorations, including the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; The Good Conduct Medal; The Army Forces Reserve Medal; The Army NCO Professional Medal; The National Defense Service Medal; The New York State Conspicuous Service Medal; and The Army Service Ribbon. Mr. Richardson is also the recipient of the 2023 Queens Borough President’s Veterans’ Community Service Award.