Russell B. Richardson
Biography: Russell Buchan Richardson was born on March 8, 1905, in Reading, Massachusets, to Charles W. Richardson and Agnes H. McIntire. He graduated from Reading High School, attended Mount Hermon Prep School and graduated from Gordon College in Boston, MA, in 1928 and Yale Divinity School in 1931. He was pastor of the North Congregational Church in Worburn, MA, from 1932-1936 and then moved to Pittsfield, MA, and South Congregational Church. At some point in the mid 1930’s, Russell married the former Ruth Louise Edmunds from Stockbridge, Vermont. She was the daughter of Fred A. Edmunds and Achsah I. Ranney.
Service Time: Russell left South Church on April 29, 1942, to become a chaplain in the U.S. Army. His obituary indicates he served with the 95th Infantry Division and the 6th Tank Destroyer Group. While we don’t know exactly when he arrived at the 6th Gp, unit records show he was assigned to them as of Dec 31, 1943, at Camp Maxey, Texas. His rank is listed as 1st Lieutenant. Morning Reports indicate he was assigned to detached service with the 7th Armored Group, for an unknown period, as of March 2, 1945. His rank is listed as Major. Still with the 6th, he is listed as being on detached service with the Ninth US Army (NUSA) in April, 1945, and transferred to them on May 28th. We do not have any info as to when he was with the 95th ID.
Armistice Day Event Article
When Russell returned to the U.S., and following his discharge, he and Ruth settled in Attleboro, MA. Over the years the couple would have two sons, Russell and Bruce and a daughter Diane. He was the pastor of the Second Congregational Church of Attleboro.
Russell passed away on August 2, 1965, in East Sandwich, MA. He was buried in his family’s plot in the Spring Grove Cemetery in Andover, MA.
I want to thank Fred Saunders at the Attleboro Church, for providing most of the information and photos used in the tribute. I also want to thank Find-A-Grave contributor TECK, for the grave marker photo.