Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Lawrence
Ryan
, Jr.
July 4, 1903

–

December 8, 1976

Born:

Fort Oglethorpe

, 

Georgia

Home:

Chattanooga

, 

Tennessee

Buried: 

West Point

, 

New York

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

John Ryan graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1926. He retired in 1963 as a U.S. Army Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Cavalry)

    Regiment:

    13th Cavalry

    Action Date:

    May 23, 1938
    Decorations U.S. Army 1862 – 1926, Supplement 3 (1940)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Captain (Cavalry) John Lawrence Ryan, Jr. (ASN: 0-16451), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with the 13th Cavalry, displayed on 23 May 1938 at Nashville, Tennessee. Upon seeing a fully loaded and driverless commercial gasoline truck moving rapidly down grade and heading toward a group of spectators, including children, and toward several Government trucks lined up on the road, Captain Ryan, with utter disregard of his own safety, jumped onto the running board and although unable to make his way into the driver’s cab brought the truck under partial control from his position on the running board. By his prompt action Captain Ryan was able to steer the truck away from the nearer spectators, children, and vehicles, and thereby avoided the probability of a fatal accident. This, however, was not accomplished until Captain Ryan, just prior to leaping to safety from the careening vehicle, with great danger to himself, had guided the truck off the road where it crashed into a clump of trees.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    August 1954 – June 1963
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 32 (July 17, 1963)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General John Lawrence Ryan, Jr. (ASN: 0-16451), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, during the period August 1954 to June 1963.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Regiment:

    Combat Command Reserve

    Division:

    7th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    October 27 – 29, 1944
    Headquarters, 7th Armored Division, General Orders No. 89 (November 20, 1944), Amended G.O. 91

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Cavalry) John Lawrence Ryan, Jr. (ASN: 0-16451), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Combat Command Reserve, 7th Armored Division, in action in Holland, from 27 to 29 October 1944. Colonel Ryan distinguished himself while stopping a heavy German counterattack which had threatened the right flank of the British SECOND Army at Jeijuel. Although considerably outnumbered, Colonel Ryan’s forces knocked out eleven of sixteen German Tiger Tanks. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Ryan, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Division:

    7th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    1944 – 1945
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Cavalry) John Lawrence Ryan, Jr. (ASN: 0-16451), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, 7th Armored Division, from 1944 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Ryan and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.