Ronald G. Richard
Encyclopedia
Major General Ronald G. Richard is a retired United States Marine Corps
officer who last served as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
.
(LSU) with a Bachelor's degree
in History.
and was assigned to Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines
as a forward observer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines
. Returning to Okinawa with the 3rd Marine Division, he served as Aide-de-Camp
to the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division. In July 1970, he was reassigned to Quantico
as a Staff Platoon Commander at The Basic School.
Promoted to captain, he returned to Quantico as a Company Commander at the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Academy in mid-1975. Captain Richard completed the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico in June 1977, and subsequently attended the Senior Career Level Advance Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In August 1977, he reported to the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines as the Fire Support Coordinator for the 4th Marines, and then became the Commanding Officer of Battery H. During 1978, he posted to the Marine Security Guard Battalion, he served as the Executive Officer, Company F, Nairobi, Kenya. Following his promotion to major in 1979, he commanded Company F, Marine Security Guard Battalion, responsible for embassy security guards for sub-Saharan Africa
.
Upon his return from overseas, Major Richard joined 4th Battalion, 11th Marines at Twentynine Palms, California, in August 1980. He initially served as Commanding Officer of 1st 155 Howitzer Battery, and then as the Battalion S-4. Transferred to the newly activated 27th Marines, he served as the Regimental Executive Officer until 1982 when he was accepted for Intermediate Level School (ILS).
Selected to lieutenant colonel, he then reported to the Command and Staff College as an instructor in Landing Force Operations in July 1983. Reassigned to Washington, DC, in 1986, he served as the POM working representative and as Head, Plans and Policy, Training Department, Headquarters Marine Corps
.
Graduating from the Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1988, Lieutenant Colonel Richard joined the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune
, North Carolina, as the G-3 Operations Officer. On June 16, 1989, he was reassigned to the 10th Marine Regiment as Regimental Commander. He was promoted to colonel on August 1, 1990 and reassigned on August 16, as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 and served in that billet throughout the Division's deployment to Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War
.
, South Carolina, as the Depot Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3. He was assigned duty as Commanding Officer of the Recruit Training Regiment on May 1992. While serving in this capacity, he was selected, for promotion to brigadier general and was advanced to that grade in May 1993.
In June 1993, he assumed his duties as the Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center, J-3, Joint Staff, Organization of the JCS, Washington, DC. He subsequently served as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, (Reserve Affairs), Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC.
In June 1996, Brigadier General Richard was assigned as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA, where he was promoted to his current rank in March 1997. From June 1998 to July 1999, he served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, VA.
Major General Richard's final assignment was Commanding General of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC from July 30, 1999 until his retirement.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
officer who last served as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
.
Biography
Richard was born and raised in Basile, Louisiana. In 1968, he graduated from Louisiana State UniversityLouisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
(LSU) with a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in History.
Marine Corps career
Richard completed his training at The Basic School in February 1969. He was transferred to the Republic of VietnamSouth Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
and was assigned to Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines
3rd Battalion 12th Marines
3rd Battalion 12th Marines is an artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The firing batteries are all on 6 month rotations in Okinawa from the 10th Marine Regiment and the 11th Marine Regiment...
as a forward observer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines
3rd Battalion 4th Marines
3rd Battalion, 4th Marines is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Nicknamed "Thundering Third" it is known within the battalion as "Darkside" and the radio callsigns of the command and staff reflect this moniker. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center...
. Returning to Okinawa with the 3rd Marine Division, he served as Aide-de-Camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division. In July 1970, he was reassigned to Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
as a Staff Platoon Commander at The Basic School.
1970s
From 1971 to 1975, he served with the 4th Marine Division in Louisiana and Texas.Promoted to captain, he returned to Quantico as a Company Commander at the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Academy in mid-1975. Captain Richard completed the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico in June 1977, and subsequently attended the Senior Career Level Advance Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In August 1977, he reported to the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines as the Fire Support Coordinator for the 4th Marines, and then became the Commanding Officer of Battery H. During 1978, he posted to the Marine Security Guard Battalion, he served as the Executive Officer, Company F, Nairobi, Kenya. Following his promotion to major in 1979, he commanded Company F, Marine Security Guard Battalion, responsible for embassy security guards for sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
.
Upon his return from overseas, Major Richard joined 4th Battalion, 11th Marines at Twentynine Palms, California, in August 1980. He initially served as Commanding Officer of 1st 155 Howitzer Battery, and then as the Battalion S-4. Transferred to the newly activated 27th Marines, he served as the Regimental Executive Officer until 1982 when he was accepted for Intermediate Level School (ILS).
1980s
In 1983, he attended the Naval Command and Staff College, Newport, Rhode Island. While a student at the Naval Command and Staff College, he also earned a M.A. degree in International Relations from Salve Regina College.Selected to lieutenant colonel, he then reported to the Command and Staff College as an instructor in Landing Force Operations in July 1983. Reassigned to Washington, DC, in 1986, he served as the POM working representative and as Head, Plans and Policy, Training Department, Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
.
Graduating from the Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1988, Lieutenant Colonel Richard joined the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
, North Carolina, as the G-3 Operations Officer. On June 16, 1989, he was reassigned to the 10th Marine Regiment as Regimental Commander. He was promoted to colonel on August 1, 1990 and reassigned on August 16, as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 and served in that billet throughout the Division's deployment to Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
1990s
In July 1991, Colonel Richard joined Marine Corps Recruit Depot\Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris IslandMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
, South Carolina, as the Depot Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3. He was assigned duty as Commanding Officer of the Recruit Training Regiment on May 1992. While serving in this capacity, he was selected, for promotion to brigadier general and was advanced to that grade in May 1993.
In June 1993, he assumed his duties as the Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center, J-3, Joint Staff, Organization of the JCS, Washington, DC. He subsequently served as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, (Reserve Affairs), Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC.
In June 1996, Brigadier General Richard was assigned as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA, where he was promoted to his current rank in March 1997. From June 1998 to July 1999, he served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, VA.
Major General Richard's final assignment was Commanding General of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC from July 30, 1999 until his retirement.
Awards and Decorations
Richard's personal decorations include:| 1st Row | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast... |
Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row | Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... w/ 1 award star Award star An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force... & valor device Valor device The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor... |
Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... |
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may... w/ 1 award star & valor device |
Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or... w/ 1 award star |
| 3rd Row | Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... w/ 1 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... w/ 1 service star |
Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during... w/ 3 service stars |
| 4th Row | Southwest Asia Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War... w/ 3 service stars |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Sea Service Ribbon A Sea Service Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the United States Army which recognizes those service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a vessel at sea.... w/ 1 service star |
Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,... w/ 1 service star |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an... |
| 5th Row | Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation Vietnam Civil Actions Medal The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was a decoration of South Vietnam which was first established in 1964. The decoration is a mid-level service award which was awarded to any member of the Vietnamese military who performed outstanding civic service to the state or who participated in civil service... |
Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is... |
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) The Naut Tahrir al-Kuwait was instituted by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.- Background :... |
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) The Wisam Al-Tahrir was issued by the government of Kuwait for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.-Description:The Kuwait Liberation Medal was approved by the Kuwait Council of Ministers for award in five classes, generally according to the rank of the recipient... |