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Birth:          29 May 1911 Waukegan, Lake Co., Ill.
Death:          11 Mar 1983 Brevard Co., Fla.

Notes
rootsweb
1920 in Waukeegan, Lake Co., Ill.
http://www.usskennethdbailey.com/skippers.htm
 The commissioning Captain of the K.D. BAILEY (DD-713), Gilbert Haven Richards, 
Jr., (5/29/11-3/11/83) was born in Waukegan, Illinois to Gilbert Haven Richards and 
Wilhemina Ferry.  Captain Richards had one sister, Dorothy, later Mrs. Otis Coleman.  
Captain Richards grew up in Waukegan, graduating from its high school in 1929.  His 
leadership qualities were already evident, being commanding officer of the school's 
ROTC, class vice-president, president of Hi-Y, and a tackle on the football team.  He 
earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in May of 1929. 

        Captain Richards enjoyed four good years at Annapolis, graduating in the top 
fifth of his class in 1933.  He received his commission immediately, an honor bestowed 
on only half of the class during that depression year.  On November 2, 1936, Captain 
Richards joined with Margaret Claire Kuter in marriage, which lasted his lifetime, with 
the romance never fading.  They were blessed with three offspring:  Gilbert Haven III 
(1934), Lynn (1940), and Bruce Paul (1947). 

        Before World War II, Captain Richards served in both the Atlantic and Pacific 
Fleets on the battleship CALIFORNIA, the destroyer AYLWIN, the survey ship 
HANNIBAL (the last coal burner in the U.S. Navy), and the cruiser TUSCALOOSA 
(upon which President Roosevelt spent some R & R time).  At the outbreak of World 
War II, Captain Richards was stationed in the Executive Department at Annapolis. 

        After Pearl Harbor, Captain Richards was detached for sea duty as Captain of 
the destroyer MOFFETT, doing anti-submarine and convoy duty with the Atlantic Fleet. 
 In 1943 Captain Richards was instrumental in the location and destruction of a 
German U-boat under extremely difficult combat conditions.  He was awarded the 
Legion of Merit with star as a result of that engagement.  The citation made in 1945 
reads in part as follows: 

        "For exceptional meritorious conduct....during the search for and against an 
enemy submarine in the Atlantic war area on August 3 and 4.  Comdr. Richards 
succeeded in detecting the surfaced U-boat and.....succeeded in re-establishing 
contact and in launching a depth charge and gunfire attack against the hostile craft 
to damage it extensively and contributed to its subsequent sinking.  His superb 
seamanship, outstanding initiative, and courage throughout reflect the highest credit 
upon himself and the United States Naval Service." 

        On July 31, 1945 Cmdr. Richards took command of the K.D. BAILEY (DD-713), a 
new super destroyer, commissioned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York.  After its 
shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the K.D. BAILEY became the flagship of 
the Atlantic destroyer flotilla piered in Portland, Maine.  By January and February, 
1946, Captain Richards with the K.D. BAILEY, served as a plane guard for the 
shakedown cruise of the new carrier, the PRINCETON. 

        With the surrender of Germany, the K.D. BAILEY was preparing for the assault 
on Japan when the Pearl Harbor infamy ended with the surrender of Japan.  This 
caused the K.D. BAILEY to be assigned to the Atlantic Fleet.  One of his last 
assignments was the participation of the K.D. BAILEY in the 8th Fleet maneuvers off 
the shore  of Virginia.  The new 8th Fleet battle group was being created as insurance 
if events in the Mediterranean took a turn for the worse after the war's ending.  The 
group was headed by Admiral Marc Mitscher. 

        In the summer of 1946, Captain Richards terminated his command of the K.D. 
BAILEY, as well as his career in the U.S. Navy.  After a brief stay in Bethesda Naval 
Hospital, resulting from "the rigors of continuous sea duty," he retired to civilian life.  
He located in the little shore town of West Long Branch, NJ, becoming a community 
leader.  He chose to work close to home in executive and security positions at Lavoie 
Electronics, Bendix, and Electronics Associates, retiring in 1971 due to severe 
arthritis.  He died in March, 1983.  His civilian life was as successful as his Navy life, 
although his son, Bruce Paul, stated, "His heart never left the U.S. Navy." 

Parents
RICHARDS Gilbert Haven (27 Jun 1884 - Jun 1965)
FERRY Wilhelmina (14 Mar 1885 - Jan 1967)

Siblings
RICHARDS Dorothy W. (1910 - )
RICHARDS Gilbert Haven (29 May 1911 - 11 Mar 1983)

Marriage To KUTER Margaret Claire (11 Sep 1915 - 9 May 2009)
    m. 2 Nov 1936 

Notes

Parents
KUTER Paul E. ()
CORBETT Reba M. ()

Children by KUTER Margaret Claire 11 Sep 1915 - 9 May 2009
RICHARDS Gilbert Haven ()
RICHARDS Lynn ()
RICHARDS Bruce Paul ()

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