After returning from Asia, Richardson served in the Bureau of Ordnance, commanded a destroyer division, worked in the Bureau of Navigation, and took command of the new cruiser USS Augusta. Study at the Naval War College and service as a Navy Department budget officer added strategic and institutional experience. These assignments moved him repeatedly between weapons, personnel administration, seagoing command, education, and finance. He reached rear admiral in December 1934 with an unusually broad record behind him.
Chapter · 29:40-31:41
Broadening command and staff experience
Ordnance, destroyer, cruiser, War College, and budget assignments prepared Richardson for flag rank and fleet command.