David Richardson (American)

David Richardson (1916–2005) was an American journalist and United States Army soldier. A member of Merrill's Marauders, he became famous for his behind the lines coverage of their combat exploits during the Burma Campaign of World War II. His articles for Yank, the Army Weekly describing the Marauders' campaign's record-setting marches and heavy sustained fighting were noted as " the flavor of battle, as well as the Marauders' jingoistic pride and derring-do".

Biography

Born in New Jersey, Richardson was initially rejected by the Army for being underweight and subsequently enlisted as a reporter. Reaching the rank of Technical Sergeant, he volunteered to chronicle the 1,000 mile march of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), better known as Merrill's Marauders, and their subsequent fighting.

Burma Campaign

In 1943, Richardson joined the Marauders and began a four month training program to prepare himself and the other Marauders for their attack. In February 1944, the Marauders began their four month march over the Himalayas and through the Burmese jungle. Unusual for a reporter, Richardson would often fight alongside his fellow soldiers. David Quaid, a photojournalist, remarked that "The stuff he wrote was like what no one else was doing. ... When it got dicey, the only correspondent there was Dave Richardson."

Retirement

Richardson retired in 1982 and settled down in Washington, DC. Giving several speeches during his retirement years, he was...
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