Forney Norwood Richardson, Jr.

Commander (CDR) Richardson was born on May 2, 1931, in Madison, Florida to his late parents Forney and Lou Ella (Beggs). He was the oldest of 12 children. On April 8, 1952, he left his home in Rocky Point, NC to join the U.S. Navy completing his basic training in San Diego, CA. During his second assignment in Sasebo, Japan, he met his late wife Eiko (Sato) where they wed on September 23, 1955, in Fukuoka, Japan.

He started his Naval career as enlisted, making it to the rank of Senior Chief (E-8), then in June 1965 received his commission as a Surface Warfare Officer after completion of Officers Candidate School, Newport, RI working his way up from Ensign to Commander. Throughout his Naval career, he served in various assignments to include: USS Hooper Island, COMSERVPACT, USS Windham Bay, NAVAIR Station Glynco, USS Galveston (Norfolk, VA & San Diego, CA), Naval Ship Repair Facility Subic Bay, USS Catamount, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Naval Advisory Group to Cat Lo Vietnam, COMPHIBPAC, USS Midway, USS Duluth, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Staff, and finally retired from the USN Fleet Training Group on July 1, 1985.

During Vietnam, CDR Richardson served on the USS Galveston, where he participated in both search and rescue operations and air and shore defense for the 7th Fleet. During the fall of Saigon in 1975, abord the USS Midway he took part in the evacuation of refugees during Operation Frequent Wind. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Commendation Medal (2 stars, one w/ Valor), Navy Unit Commendation (1 star), Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 star), Navy "E" Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal (3 stars), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/ two battle stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation - Gallantry, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and The Republic of Vietnam Technical Service Medal.

After retiring from the U.S. Navy, he continued serving as a Defense Contractor writing technical electronic training guides for the Pacific fleet and ship repair manuals for the Navy Seals at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. In retirement he was an avid outdoorsman where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and gardening. He was also an outstanding craftsman who spent many hours in the garage woodshop creating heirloom furnishings for the house and family. Additionally, he was an active member of the USS Galveston GLG 3 Shipmates Association, participating in many reunions over the years.

He is survived by three sisters Georgia Lippard Bell, Mildred Guess, and Virginia Highsmith; four brothers Shepard, Herbert, Douglas, and Donald; two children Douglas Richardson and Kim McCandless; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Eiko Sato (2018); brother Stewart (2013); and, sisters Harriett Wynne (2018), Betty Lou Hefner (2019), and Charlotte Humphrey (2025).

An inurnment at Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Sierra Vista, AZ will be held later.