CDR Paul F. Richardson III

Commanding Officer, USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62)

12 December 2024

Commander Richardson is a native of Houston, Texas. He is a 2005 graduate of Prairie View A&M University (B.S. Electrical Engineering), where he earned his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program. He received Master’s Degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2012 and National Defense University’s Eisenhower School in 2021.

As a division officer CDR Richardson completed assignments in USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37) as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) as the Navigator. During these tours he deployed to SIXTH and SEVENTH FLEET areas of operation and worked with 10 coalition Navies.

As a Department Head, he served in LCS CREW 104 as Combat Systems Officer. During this tour he completed the first LCS operational deployment to SEVENTH FLEET onboard USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3). He also served as Operations Officer in USS MILWAUKEE (LCS 5) for her commissioning and sail around. Additionally, CDR Richardson served as Flag Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff for Administration for Commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE embarked on the CARL VINSON (CVN 70).

Most recently, Richardson completed tours as Executive Officer onboard USS SANTA BARBARA (LCS 32), and USS PAUL HAMILTON (DDG 60).

Ashore, he served in Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet as Force Navigator, SWO Programs Coordinator, and on the LCS Implementation Team. He also completed student tours at the Naval Postgraduate School and at the Eisenhower School completing JPME Phases I & II.

CDR Richardson’s military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.