MAJOR RICHARD A. STAR, a native of Garfield Heights, Ohio, began his military career in June 1988 where he rose through the ranks to become a Staff Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant before accepting a direct commission into the Corps of Engineers in 2004.
Star has served in a wide range of positions. He deployed with the 79th Quartermaster Company out of Marion, Ohio to support the 18th Airborne Corps for Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm. He served as Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in Bravo Company, 841st Engineer Battalion in Orlando, Florida. He then deployed with the 391st Engineer Battalion to Afghanistan with Task Force "Wildcat" where he conducted construction and clearance operations and then deployed with Bravo Company, 841st Engineer Battalion to Iraq to conduct route clearance operations. Returning to the States, Star served as a Platoon Leader OC/T and Mentor while serving with 3-347th, Regiment 158BDE in Orlando, Florida; Staff Officer in the 158 Infantry BDE Camp in Shelby, Mississippi; Brigade Training Officer for 177th AR BDE Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Commander of HHC, 177th AR BDE Camp Shelby, Mississippi; and Project Manager for the Engineer District.
Star is a graduate of both the Engineer Officer Basic Course and Engineer Captains Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He completed his undergraduate studies at Mount Vernon University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is a certified Project Management Professional.
Star's military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait), the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Superior Unit Award, and the Navy Unit Commendation. He has been awarded the Air Assault Badge, the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Gold), and the Bronze de Fleury Medal.
Star is married and has two daughters.