Original name was Gen R. M. Blatchford.  Renamed 1 Jul 1944 in honor of Brig Gen Wilds Preston Richardson, USMA Class 1884, Apache Indian War, CG of American Forces in North Russia during WW I.  

Known to have carried dependents from Seattle to Yokohama in April 1952. [Ginny Dogan Lukasik] 

ADDENDUM

The mystery of the 'Double Blatchford'. Even though the 'Gen.W.P. Richardson' was launched Aug. 6, 1944, the previous April the INTENDED name had been the 'Gen. R.M. Blatchford'. So the 'Richardson' was commissioned Nov. 2, 1944 as AP-118. It was handed over to the Army in 1946. Its' next name as 'La Guardia', but makes no reference to any connection to military service. I communicate with a YOHI Alumni who informs me she did in fact journey to or from Yokohama on the 'La Guardia'. The plot thickens. The "real" Gen. R.M. Blatchford' was launched on August 27, 1944...later but the same month as the 'Richardson'. The 'Blatchford' was commissioned Jan.25, 1945 as AP-153. on March 12, 1945 its' maiden voyage was from San Francisco to Manila. In 1946 it was handed over to the Army. Returned to the Navy  in 1950, entered MSTS service as T-AP 153.Laid up in 1968, but in 1969 resold & rebuilt as container ship as 'Stonewall Jackson' and later 'Alex Stephens'.  Bruce Eastley

Ref:  http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22/22118.htm 

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