James K. Richardson 1943                                  James K. Richardson, 2001

                                   

    My name is James K. Richardson, and I act as Technical Advisor to Joe Lipsius on this, and the 69th Division Site.  I have never met Joe in person, but distinctly remember seeing him in his uniform during WWII.  He was a Capt. on the Regimental staff, of the 272nd Infantry Regiment.  I was a Sergeant for B Company, of the same Regiment.  I was communications Sergeant, and always accompanied our Company commander, Capt. George P. Moore to briefings.  I remember seeing him there, and also saw him when he accompanied Col. Walter D. Buie on trips visiting various units.  I can still see him with his big map board (which was almost as large as he was). Col. Buie was a typical West Point trained officer, and sat ramrod straight in the Jeep, while Capt. Lipsius was much shorter, but just as formidable as Col Buie.  I can remember wishing I had his job, as I had to walk with my map board everywhere.  Joe went into the army as a private, but attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, graduating as a "shavetail" 2nd Lieutenant. Being the leader type individual, Joe worked hard and was promoted rapidly.  He served as S-2 officer, then S-3 and also as company commander of Cannon Company, 272nd Infantry Regiment.   

           I became acquainted with Joe after surfing the net, looking for information on the 272nd Infantry Regiment.  The first thing that came up was a page on "grunts" with a short write-up by Joe, and with his picture.  He had a navigation link from this site to the 69th Infantry Division site, so I followed it, signed the guest book, with remarks concerning my involvement with the Division, and my interest in web pages.  Joe got back in touch with me, and we began corresponding.  I agreed to help him with the Website, to expedite composition and development of each page.  He shows the same drive and passion for the web site, as he did when he was planning officer for our Regiment.  The only remark I have comparing  Joe, then and now,  is that he still parts his hair in the middle.