The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Richard Scott Ryan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as the copilot/gunner of an AH-1T (TOW) Cobra helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), 22d Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada on 26 October 1983. During the afternoon hours after their wingman aborted the mission due to mechanical difficulty, First Lieutenant Ryan and his pilot were flying a single Cobra helicopter assigned to provide escort for a multi-division transport helicopter flight, which was tasked to rescue American medical students from a campus dormitory on Grand Anse Beach. As the flight began to insert a U.S. Army Ranger security force, it came under extremely heavy enemy fire. First Lieutenant Ryan valiantly engaged the enemy with TOW missiles as his pilot fired 2.75 inch rockets since their primary weapon, the 20 millimeter cannon, had jammed. As division after division of transport helicopters inserted the ground security force, evacuated civilian medical students, and finally extracted the Ranger covering force at the completion of the rescue; First Lieutenant Ryan and his pilot fearlessly exposed their aircraft again and again to heavy enemy fire providing devastating attacks to protect the vulnerable transport helicopters from overwhelming enemy emplacements. By his exemplary bravery, steadfast initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Ryan reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261)Action Date:
October 25, 1983
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Richard Scott Ryan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as the copilot/gunner of an AH-1T (TOW) Cobra helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), 22d Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada. During the late morning hours, First Lieutenant Ryan and his pilot were flying the lead aircraft in a section of Cobras assigned to provide close-in-fire-support for a U.S. Army Ranger unit that had been pinned down by heavy enemy fire. Upon identifying the position and finding their flight vulnerably exposed to the enemy fire, First Lieutenant Ryan and his pilot assessed the terrain and tactical situation and courageously maneuvered the flight to a position that provided a clear field of fire. As the enemy position continued to fire at friendly forces, First Lieutenant Ryan sighted in and engaged it with a TOW missile that knocked out the position and killed twenty-five Cuban combat troops. Moving his attention to the perimeter of the area, he sighted another target. Firing a second TOW missile, First Lieutenant Ryan scored a second direct hit destroying the target and killing three additional enemy soldiers. First Lieutenant Ryan’s presence of mind under fire and heroic action resulted in a well-executed attack that allowed the Rangers to advance once again. By his exemplary bravery, superb aeronautical skills, and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire, First Lieutenant Ryan reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]