D Company, 511 PIR   

02/19/24 - 12/19/13 (Age 89) 

Citations: Bronze Star with two devices, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Philippine Liberation Medal with service star, the American Defense Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars and one Arrowhead

Locations: Camp Toccoa, Camp Mackall, Camp Polk, Camp Stoneman, New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, Japan

Earl D. Richardsonwas born on Febuary 19, 1924, in Elwood City, PA, to Harry Ross and Myrtle (Vanderpoole-Gallagher) Richardson. After World War II, Earl married Ruth B. Ferguson on Jan. 5, 1946 in Detroit where they lived for many years before moving to Roscommon in 1982.

Earl was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and enjoyed many hobbies and pastimes. He was known as the “horseshoe master” and played many card games including rummy with the kids, euchre and pinochle. He and his wife, Ruth enjoyed 26 years sharing a love of square dancing. His TV favorites were old black and white western movies.

Earl participated in many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling. His greatest love was being with his family. He was a Purple Heart recipient having served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a machine gunner with the 511 Parachute Infantry Regiment's Company D in the 11th Airborne Division.

His parents and siblings, Carl Richardson, Bernice Jeffries and Hellen Klutz preceded him in death.

Surviving Earl upon his death were his wife; children, Leslie Szurek and Mike (Sheryl) Richardson all of Roscommon; grandchildren, Kellie (Dave) Burek of Hartland, Scott Szurek (significant other, Pete Gavrun) of Wyoming and Heather Richardson of Lakeside, CA; great-grandchildren, Henry and Halie Burek of Hartland and sister, Audrey Schell of Tecumseh.

If you would  like to learn more about Earl's exploits within and the history of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II, please consider purchasing a copy of our books on the Angels: