Holden Chester Richardson (December 7, 1878 – September 2, 1960) was a decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of captain.

He was the Navy's first engineering test pilot and helped develop the first Navy-built seaplane, pontoons and hulls that overcame water suction, and a catapult to launch aircraft.

As a member of the Navy Construction Corps, Richardson helped to design the hull of the Curtiss NC flying boats.

After the war, the Navy decided to pursue a transatlantic flight by a division of four Curtiss NC flying boats.

NC-3 was forced to set down 200 nautical miles short of the Azores and Richardson had to taxi the remaining way until taken in tow by a Navy ship.