Richardson retired in October 1942 and received the rank of full admiral on the retired list. He continued working through the Naval Relief Society and a senior Joint Chiefs committee concerned with reorganizing national defense. He became an early witness before the congressional Pearl Harbor committee. He also testified before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, extending his influence from wartime administration into the postwar accounting of the Pacific conflict.
Chapter · 52:42-53:35
Richardson continues national-defense service after retirement
Retirement restored Richardson's admiral's rank but did not end his work on naval welfare, defense reorganization, Pearl Harbor, and the war-crimes tribunal in Tokyo.