Childress, Richard T.: Files, 1981-1988

National Security Council

Political Affairs Directorate, 1981-1982, Defense Policy Directorate, 1982-1983, Political Military Affairs Directorate, 1983-1986, and Asian Affairs Directorate, Director, 1986-1988.

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Scope and Content Note

Lt. Colonel Richard T. Childress served in a variety of posts within the National Security Council (NSC) during the Reagan administration: Political Affairs Directorate, 1981-1982, Defense Policy Directorate, 1982-1983, Political Military Affairs Directorate, 1983-1986, and Asian Affairs Directorate, Director, 1986-1988. His primary focus in all offices was resolution of the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) issues following the United States military involvement in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in the 1960s-1970s. Because of the subject focus, all of the material for Chidress's four offices is included in this collection.

This collection consists of five series: SERIES I: Chronological Files; SERIES II: Country Files; SERIES III: POW/MIA; SERIES IV: Subject Files; and SERIES V: Visit Files.

Series List

SERIES I: Chronological Files

SERIES II: Country Files

SERIES III: POW/MIA

SERIES IV: Subject Files

SERIES V: Visit Files

Biography

Lt. Col. Childress studied psychology at the University of Cincinnati earning his bachelor’s degree and an additional Associate in Arts degree in social studies. He holds an M.A. in oriental studies and anthropology from the University of Arizona. He has completed graduate work at the Universities of Kansas and Oklahoma and furthered his military education in numerous professional military courses and staff colleges.

Childress speaks German, Thai and Vietnamese. He used this language ability in his active duty Army command, staff, and advisory assignments in Vietnam, Korea and Europe from 1964-1977.

Childress was the Foreign Area Officer, U.S. Embassy, Bangkok Thailand from 1977-1978. Childress returned to Washington as the Asian Politico-Military Affairs Officer, Department of the Army, 1978-1980. He then became Executive Officer for the Director of Strategy Plans and Policy, Department of the Army.

Childress joined the Reagan Administration in 1981. He served in multiple offices including 2 Defense oriented directorates and two regional area directorates. His final position was as the Director of the Asian Affairs Directorate from 1986-1988. Childress concentrated on an overriding issue within all of his NSC assignments: resolution of the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) issues following the United States military involvement in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in the 1960s-1970s. Childress remained with the NSC Staff until 1988.

Childress has received numerous awards during this military service.

The League of Families of POW/MIAs lists Childress as a consultant.

Record Type

Textual

Last Modified Date

2024-10-22

WHORM Alpha File

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Childress, Richard T.: Files, 1981-1988

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