WWII NAVY ADMIRAL J. RICHARDSON PORTRAIT DRESS KHAKI PHOTO PEARL HARBOR. Offered here a formal portrait of US NAVY ADMIRAL JAMES OTTO RICHARDSON. The photo which measures 7.0 in x 9.75 in shows Richardson in his dress kahki Rear Admirals uniform. The photo was likely taken about 1940 about the time he received his last promotion. The photo is in excellent condition with no scratches or tears. The photo is matted to a larger, folding mat folder and is ready for framing or a nice arrangement with other original Richardson documents (which we have) for an impressive display. Admiral James Otto Richardson, is known as the steadfast and lone voice of reason regarding the placement of the US Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. History remembers him as the sole warning among US Navy senior leadership that the US Fleet was in danger being stationed in Pearl. Richardson was appointed as head of CINPAC in late 1939 by Roosevelt partly because of his universally recognized vast knowledge and strategic expertise of the Japanese military and their designs on controlling the Pacific. However, after Richardson repeatedly and somewhat forcefully attempted to convince President Roosevelt – in person – the proper placement of the Pacific Fleet was on the west coast, the President Roosevelt decided he could no longer bear the Admirals’ disagreeing position and replaced him with Admiral Husband E. Unfortunately, Kimmel bore the shame and disappointment of the destruction of Pearl Harbor and following his demotion and early retirement in 1942, he spent the rest of his life defending and explaining himself regarding the events of late 1941. Of course as is well known, on December 7, 1941 the Japanese decimated virtually the entire Pacific Fleet and this was the event that marked America’s entrance into WWII. We have the good fortune to have acquired several key documents from Admiral Richardson’s estate which not only distinguish important aspects of his military service as an Admiral, but also of US Naval and American history. We considered offering the whole lot – including photos – as a single lot, but our experience suggests we would receive numerous requests to split up the documents individually due to varying niche interests and somewhat limited collecting resources. 1 James Otto Richardson’s admission notice on US Navy Department stationery from August, 1898. This document shows that Richardson was admitted as an alternate. It is signed by both Bureau Chief Arent Schuyler Crowninshield and Naval Academy Superintendent Frederick Valette McNair. 2 A handwritten letter from Naval Academy Superintendent Frederick V. McNair requesting Richardson report for examination in September 1898. The letter is written in fountain pen and signed by McNair. 3 Richardson’s own 2 page 1933-34 research excerpt he read on the morning of December 7, 1941. The note Richardson attaches to the 2 pg excerpt indicates he read the excerpt almost simultaneously with Pearl being destroyed and was immensely important to him. So much so, he later writes again in pencil to his daughter in law to save this for his son Joe. An amazing and bone chilling artifact. Richardson refers to his reading of this paper in the first anecdote of his memoirs and Steely re-visits it in his biography. THIS PIECE OF HIS EARLY RESEARCH CRYSTALIZES RICHARDSON’S UNWAVERING CONVICTION REGARDING HIS VIEWS ON HAVING THE FLEET AT PEARL. Easily the most desirable artifact of the group. Without question, worthy of its own display in the Naval War College Museum. 4 Richardson’s’Short Snorter’ (on a 1935 Silver Cert) he likely kept in his wallet for decades based on the wear it exhibits. It is noticibly signed on the obverse by his longtime friend, Japanese Admiral and Ambassador to the United States, Kichisaburo Nomura. Also on the obverse of the note is the signature of’T. On the reverse are the signatures of Lt. George (head of Air Transport Command and aviation pioneer), Rear Admiral Malcolm F. Astor, Lou Fuchs and Richard Richardson. 5 Richardson’s personal copy of his typed letter to’Betty’, Navy CNO Harold Stark in Jan 1940. The Admiral is directly critical of the ORANGE war plan and lists his specific concerns. Richardson refers to this very letter in his Autobiography as a letter he considered’highly important and most secret’. It was originally written longhand and sent in the’personal custody of an officer of his staff’. He remarks with some surprise that the letter was not replied to by Stark. 6 A typed letter signed (TLS) on US Navy CNO letterhead (and carbon copy of same), by Navy Vice Admiral John L. McCrea dated December 30, 1941. Here, McCrea acknowledges Richardson’s comments upon being summarily dismissed by Roosevelt in February 1941. Ironically, his replacement Kimmel was fired just 2 weeks prior for the destruction at Pearl Harbor. He recounts Richardson saying “. When I was made Commander of the US Fleet, I recognized that it was done by the arbitrary power of one man and I have always realized that I could be removed in the same way at any time. ” Both the original and copy signed by McCrea in black ink. 7 Richardson’s personal carbon copy of his concluding statement of testimony before the Joint Committee of Congress (on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack) November 1945. In true, honorable military officer fashion, Richardson although remaining steadfast in his longheld convictions, simply restates what he conveyed to McCrea and Stark 4 years prior (he actually mentions the very conversation documented by McCrea in our other memo offered here). He would always realize he would gain and lose his status as CINCPACFLT purely at the whim of the President. All in all, an amazing documentation of the beginning, middle and end of an important and distinguished record of military service and an example of a man holding duty to his country over his own professional fate. PLEASE VIEW MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR THESE ITEMS OF INTEREST. S son Beverly Hills home in October 2011 and these items within the house were originally saved from J. Home after he passed in May 1974. As such, these items are for the first time, available for examination and acquisition. Sadly, even Richardson’s fine biographer, Skipper Steely was denied access to these items & original sources. Please view the wealth of supplementary information available online regarding Richardson’s rich life and Naval career. Richardson’s memoir’On the Treadmill to Pearl Harbor – The Memoirs of Admiral James O. Richardson’ by Vice Admiral George C. Dyer (1973; Naval History Division). Pearl Harbor Countdown: Admiral James O. Richardson’ by Skipper Steely (2008; Pelican Publishing) is also particularly informative and is available as an e-book. See also these links. Used – Very Good. Vendio Images: More than just a pretty image. 150 FREE professional templates with Vendio Sales Manager. FREE Counters used in millions of listings – Vendio! This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Photographs”. The seller is “bibliomonster” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.