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In Memory of Rich Richenberg (former Captain, US Air Force)

We lost one of our own this Memorial Day. Rich Richenberg was an unsung American hero. At FEMA/DHS, his most recent employer, Rich is known for assisting disaster victims, including during the recent Midwest floods and tornados. Unknown to many at his agency, Rich was a pioneer in the fight to overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell. He served in Desert Storm One, where he commanded the control center aboard the AWACs aircraft and garnered numerous accolades as an Air Force officer. He was top notch; it was widely accepted that he was destined for the highest ranks. That all unraveled when he acknowledged he was gay.

Rich could have lied to save his own skin, but that was not in his character. Rich believed deeply in the military's stated values of integrity, honor and courage. As a result, he faced derision from his superiors for being gay and, ultimately, he was discharged. To add insult to injury, the Air Force gratuitously downgraded the characterization of his discharge -- to "General" -- notwithstanding his impeccable service record.

Rich challenged his discharge in federal court with the help of volunteer lawyers led by Tom Kayser and his team at Robins Kaplan law firm (and Lori Graesser and Susan Koenig-Cramer). At the time, however, the courts were not ready to overturn DADT. 

Within the military, we at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network fought to have his discharge upgraded. I was privileged to assist Rich, working with SLDN colleague Dixon Osburn and military counsel James Bitzes. Ultimately, Rich was given the Honorable discharge characterization he had earned, but not before taking his case all the way up the chain to the Secretary of the Air Force. His case was a turning point in this regard.

Every gay veteran who has received an Honorable discharge in the DADT era owes a debt of gratitude to Rich. Those of us working within the government or for a government contractor can appreciate all that means every time our security clearances come up for review.

In the course of his experience, Rich made an enormous difference, changing attitudes toward gay people within the military and in society in general. His coworkers could not believe the Air Force would kick out an officer of his caliber. The vicious means by which senior Air Force officers sought to harm Rich as he was being discharged moved many to support both Rich and DADT repeal.

After his discharge, Rich was a lifeline for other military members who were being harmed by DADT, first as an individual and, later, as an employee with SLDN. With his leadership abilities and quiet, understated manner, Rich was the one to whom many turned in their most anguished hours. Rich literally saved lives.

Rich had the generosity of heart to help others, even while he struggled, like many veterans, to find his own footing after losing everything under DADT. For an officer like Rich, the military was far more than a job. Being a military officer was his identity. DADT robbed Rich and thousands like him in the prime of their lives.

As a practical matter, at the time when Rich was discharged (mid-90s) and "tarnished" for being gay, it was virtually impossible to find a job commensurate with his level of responsibility and leadership in the military. But he persevered and as a result, FEMA and those who have been devastated by disasters benefited from his talents and abilities.

Rich never sought the limelight or recognition, only the actions that would help others down the road. While we mourn his loss, let us reflect on the immense sacrifices as well as the service of Rich and other gay veterans -- our unsung heros who have fought valiantly on foreign soil for our freedoms, and on the home front to ensure that all Americans one day enjoy the same freedoms.

05-31-11 By Michelle Benecke, Army Veteran and Co-Founder, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network |