White Battalion

LT. COL. DONALD J. RICHARDSON, R. A.
Commanding Officer

Born New Haven, Connecticut. Graduated Collegiate Prep School 1933. September 1934 entered University of Tennessee; History, Education major, and R.O.T.C. Commissioned O.R.C. 2nd Lt July 1938; six-month tour of Duty C.C.C.; B.S. in Education June 1939; served at Ft. McPherson, Georgia. Maneuvers May 1940; July 1940, Ft. McClellan, Alabama; August 1940, first Louisiana maneuvers. Dec. 1940 Camp Claiborne, Louisiana; subsequently Ft. Benning, Georgia, member of 4th Motorized Division, MTO, Division Headquarters Company. March 1941, appointed Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry; April 1941, transferred 76th Division; assigned 304th Infantry; Executive Officer 3rd Battalion in June 1942.

Commissioned 2nd Lt., Regular Army, July 12, 1942. Subsequently assigned Commanding Officer, Regimental Headquarters Company, 304th Infantry; a short tour of duty Inspector General Office; CO Service Company, 304th Infantry. Assigned Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion December 1942. Late 1943, Officers Advanced Course Ft. Benning, Georgia. Returning, assigned Executive Officer 1st Battalion, 304th Infantry; November again Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion, to present. Commissioned Lt. Col. in France, Jan. 1945 (known as "Big Red"). Married: 1 child. Religion: Catholic. Hobbies: sports, outdoors. Postwar plans: Army career.