Jacob Herbert Richards was born on November 2, 1914, in Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ira Henry Richards and Mary Agnes Cromer Richards.

Jacob had two years of high school, had a civil occupation as a semiskilled mechanic and repairman, and was single without dependents upon enlistment. He entered military service in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Jacob served in Company F, 2nd Ranger Battalion, as a Sergeant during World War II. He was Killed in Action on June 6, 1944, at the age of 29, at Pointe du Hoc, during the American assault on Omaha and Utah beaches in France. Sgt Richards is now buried in the Mount Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA.