William James Richardson
Fond du Lac
Man Accused of Wearing Medals He Didn't Earn
June 24, 2006, 11:46 AM

By: Jason Zimmerman

Fond du Lac Military Veteran, William James Richardson is set to go to trial in August for wearing medals of honor that might not have been his in the first place. ....

The FBI alleges, Richardson showed off all kinds of medals, from Purple Hearts, to Bronze and Silver Stars, even a distinguised Service Cross.....

 

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Man charged for wearing medals prosecutors say he didn't earn
Associated Press

FOND DU LAC, Wis. - A 60-year-old man faces a federal trial for wearing military medals or decorations that prosecutors say he did not earn......

He would not say whether he wore medals he did not earn.

John Stateson, a World War II veteran, served on the Fond du Lac American Legion firing squad with Richardson. He said he reported Richardson to the Federal Bureau of Investigation after Richardson tried to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"He wasn't a veteran of foreign wars," Stateson said.

NFdL man convicted of wearing military medals he never earned

Amie Jo Schaenzer
The Reporter ajschaenzer@fdlreporter.com November 2, 2006

For two area war veterans, the guilty verdict handed down Tuesday for a 60-year-old North Fond du Lac man charged in federal court for wearing military medals he did not earn is well deserved.

Rudy Jaeger of Brownsville and Bud Ruckman of Fond du Lac testified Tuesday at the Federal Building in Milwaukee during the one-day trial for William James Richardson, who was found guilty of wearing military medals of valor not issued to him by Congress.

Richardson wore the medals while serving on the Fond du Lac American Legion firing squad.

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NFDL Man Sentenced for Wearing Medals He Didn't Earn

Dec 28, 2006 06:48 PM CST


A North Fond du Lac man is ordered to do community service and serve one year of probation for wearing military medals he didn't earn.

William James Richardson, 60, was sentenced in federal court in Milwaukee last week after being found guilty of wearing military medals of valor not issued to him by Congress. He must do 30 hours of community service.

Richardson wore the medals while serving on the Fond du Lac American Legion's firing squad.

The medals he wore included the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest military decoration given by the Army.....

 

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Posted January 4, 2007

NFdL veteran sentenced for wearing medals

By Amie Jo Schaenzer
The Reporter ajschaenzer@fdlreporter.com

A North Fond du Lac decorated military veteran convicted of wearing military medals he did not earn, said for a year he has quietly watched his name get dragged through the mud.

"It just embarrassed me, I was hurt... Not only did it embarrass me, it embarrassed my family members," Richardson said. "No one would talk to me." .....

A war veteran, Richardson admits he wore military medals — such as the Purple Heart — not issued to him by Congress, but he said he did not know it was wrong to wear them. He said the medals were given to him since he was a veteran.


Staff Sergeant Bud Ruckman rest in peace

http://allthewayto.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/staff-sergeant-bud-ruckman-rest-in-peace/

 Posted by allthewayto on November 5th, 2007

Today the Airborne community mourns the passing of one of its Troopers, “Bud” Ruckman, a gallant soldier who served with honor and distinction as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War.   He wore his uniform with pride and dignity and set the standard for the young soldiers who followed him. 

Bud devoted a lifetime in support of fellow veterans as a member of The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Disabled American Veterans and the Badger State Chapter. He served in the Honor Guard and at military funerals for fellow veterans as a member of the firing squad.

Bud was a true American Patriot who devoted his life for causes greater than himself.   As a fellow Airborne soldier Bud and I developed a bond of friendship and mutual respect.  For all of us who grieve his passing we can take solace in knowing he helped make the world a better place.

 Lt.Col(ret.)James ‘Maggie’ Megellas

82d Airborne Division