Virgil A. Richard

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In 2005, Gen. Virgil Richard (second from left) and Congressman Marty Meehan (third from left) unsuccessfully attempted to repeal the policy

Brigadier General Virgil A. Richard (born September 4, 1937) is a retired Army General who served thirty-two years of active military service of which thirty were devoted to Financial Management. General Richard has become an outspoken critic of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy of the U.S. Armed Forces and has gained national media attention as a part of a small group of high-ranking military officers who have come out after retirement.

General Richard was born in Anthony, Kansas, and grew up in rural Wakita, Oklahoma. Richard received his BS in accounting from Oklahoma State University, his Master of Business Administration (Managerial Economics) from George Washington University and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program of Columbia University, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. He is also an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate.

Richard was an Officer of the Association of the United States Army chapters in Alaska and Indiana, Commander of the Harker Heights, Texas American Legion Post and Assistant State Treasurer of the Texas Department of the American Legion. He is also a Board Member of the Austin Exchange Club, The Texas District Exchange Clubs, and formerly a Board Member of the Capital City Men's Chorus in Austin, Texas.

He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.

General Richard currently lives in Austin, Texas with his partner, David W. Potter.