Thomas R. Richards

Thomas Russell Richards
Nickname(s)	Hulk
Born	1947 (age 77–78) Bay Shore, New York
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1969–1999
Rank	Rear admiral
Commands	SEAL TEAM ONE Naval Special Warfare Command
Battles / wars	Vietnam War; El Salvador; Operation Praying Mantis
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Silver Star Medal
Alma mater	Villanova University

Thomas R. Richards (born 1947) is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who commanded the Naval Special Warfare Command from 1996 to 1999.

Naval career

Thomas Richards graduated from Villanova University in 1969 and was commissioned through the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps. After his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, Richards received orders to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. After six months of training, Richards graduated BUD/S class 55 in April 1970 and received assignment to SEAL TEAM ONE. Following SEAL Basic Indoctrination (SBI) training and platoon training, Richards deployed to South Vietnam with Zulu Platoon from August 1970 to February 1971. He was wounded in February 1971 at the end of his tour and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. Richards led naval special operations forces during Operation Prime Chance and Operation Praying Mantis in the Persian Gulf. Richards served in numerous staff and command positions including operations officer NSWG 1; operations officer, SEAL TEAM TWO, executive officer, Underwater Demolition Team Twelve (UDT-12), commanding officer, Special Boat Unit Thirteen; senior U.S. Naval representative at the U.S. Military Group (MILGRU) in El Salvador from 1983 to 1984; commanding officer, SEAL Team ONE from 1986 to 1988; programs officer with the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., and commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Center. From 1996 to 1999, Richards served as the commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Command. He retired from active duty in 1999 after 30 years of service. This article contains material from the United States Federal Government and is in the public domain.

Awards and decorations

U.S. military decorations File:Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Navy Distinguished Service Medal File:US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal File:Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit V Gold star File:Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star with Combat "V" and 5/16 bronze star File:Purple Heart ribbon.svg Purple Heart File:Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal V File:Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" File:United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg Presidential Unit Citation File:Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award File:Combat Action Ribbon.svg Combat Action Ribbon File:U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Navy Unit Commendation U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal File:Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal File:Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg Vietnam Service Medal File:Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon File:Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.png Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Ribbon File:Civil Action Unit Citation.png Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation Ribbon File:Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal File:United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg Navy Rifle Marksmanship Badge File:United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg Navy Pistol Marksmanship Badge

U.S. badges, patches and tabs File:United States Navy Special Warfare insignia.png SEAL Trident File:Navy CaS.png Command at Sea insignia