PVT James A. Ryan Jr.
PVT James A. Ryan Jr.
Today we honor and remember PVT James A. Ryan Jr. of the 101st Airborne Division.
Private (PVT) James A. Ryan Jr. of Dog Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, on March 3, 1925.
His parents were James F. and Annie Ryan. James had one older sister, named Gertrude.
James Ryan was a graduate of West Catholic High School for Boys, located at 49th Street, between Chestnut and Market Streets in Philadelphia. At school, James was one of the stars in its basketball team. Before joining the Army, he was employed as a milk salesman.
He enlisted for the service in March 1943 and became a Deuce man. Unfortunately, his first combat jump would be his last, as he was killed on D-Day.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Private Ryan died a hero’s death as can be seen in his posthumously awarded Bronze Star Medal citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (sec. II, Bul. 3, WD, 1944), the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States during the period indicated is awarded posthumously to the following-named enlisted man:
Private James A. Ryan, Jr. (Army Serial No. [13177803]), Infantry, Army of the United States, a member of Company D, 502d Parachute Infantry, while acting in the capacity of platoon scout, displayed heroism on 6 June 1944 near Turqueville, France. He was fired upon by an enemy machine-gun outpost as he was crossing a hedgerow. Despite his exposed position, Private Ryan returned the fire and then reported to his platoon leader the location and disposition of the enemy. This information enabled the platoon to dispose of the enemy outpost without casualties. As the platoon continued its advance, Private Ryan resumed his position as scout and was again fired upon by an enemy group from behind a hedgerow. Private Ryan, despite a heavy concentration of enemy small-arms fire directed at himself, returned the fire and, disregarding all thought of personal safety, advanced across the open field, firing as he went, to the hedgerow behind which the enemy was situated. Here he courageously and aggressively engaged the enemy group until he was killed. Private Ryan’s actions enabled his platoon to continue its advance while the enemy fire was directed on himself.
General Order No. 12; Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 4 November 1947; Citation: courtesy of Jim Bigley.
PVT Ryan’s brave efforts to attack and eliminate his enemy were in accordance with the highest standard of the military service. We owe his personal sacrifice our lasting gratitude.
PVT James A. Ryan Jr. rests eternally at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, at Plot D, Row 9, Grave 20.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, James.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Resources
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 25 Jun 1944, Sun (Courtesy: Judy Cahoon Egan)