From staff reports

Research hydraulic engineer Thomas Richardson has received the Army Corps of Engineers’ Silver De Fleury Medal.

He was honored during a retirement ceremony Jan. 7.

As director of the Coastal Hydraulics Laboratory at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center since 2002, Richardson has worked on critical levee issues with the Department of Homeland Security and helped develop MORPHOS, a project which simulates the effects of tropical cyclones on a regional scale.

Richardson’s 37-year career began as a lieutenant with the Corps, then nearly a decade as a principal researcher on shore protection projects. Later, as chief of the Coastal Sediments and Engineering Division, Richardson directed several research programs including one that produced CORE-LOC, a system of concrete armoring designed to withstand waves.

Named for Revolutionary War-era French soldier Francois de Fleury, the award first created by the Continental Congress to honor the man who fought alongside Gen. George Washington now honors individuals who have contributed significantly to Army engineering.