Ryan, Michael Patrick

Date of birth:: January 30th, 1916 (Osage City/Kansas, United States)
Date of death:: January 9th, 2005 (Northridge/California, United States)
Buried on:: Arlington National Cemetery
Service number:: 0-6934
Nationality:: American

Biography

Michael Patrick Ryan was born Janaury 30th, 1916 in Osage City, Kansas. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1933 and was called up for active service in November 1940.
During World War Two he served on Iceland with the 6th Marines and later with the 2nd Marines on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian.
During the Korean war, Ryan served as batallioncommander and during the Vietnam war he served as Deputy Divisional Commander of the 3rd Marine Division. Later on in his career he served, among others, at Quantico and in the Pentagon. His last posting was as Director Marine Corps Reserve. Michael Ryan retired in 1977. He passed away January 9th, 2005 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on January 26th, 2005.

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division "The Silent Second", U.S. Marine Corps

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Second Marines, Second Marine Division, and also as Commanding Officer of a Composite Battalion, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 24 November 1943. Landing with his company in the fourth wave, Major Ryan courageously led a fierce, determined assault against the enemy and, retaining the initiative despite heavy casualties sustained by his forces, organized two other rifle companies with his own into a composite battalion which, under his skillful direction, successfully held a shallow beachhead throughout the remainder of the day and night. On the following morning, he led his composite unit in an aggressive attack toward the strongly-defended south beach of Betio Island, continually exposing himself to intense hostile fire and inspiring his men by his own personal valor until an important beachhead was cleared of the Japanese and reinforcements and supplies could be landed for our forces without resistance. Major Ryan's brilliant tactical ability and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of grave peril contributed in large measure to the ultimate capture of a highly strategic atoll and reflect great credit upon himself, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service."

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 0647.

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division "The Silent Second", U.S. Marine Corps

Legion of Merit - US Military

Period:: Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Rank:: Brigadier General (Brigadier)
Unit:: 3rd Marine Division "Fighting Third", U.S. Marine Corps

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Division Commander, THIRD Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam from January to May 1967."

w/ Combat V