Thomas L. Ryan jr

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Navy Achievement, Aerographer, Navy Unit Commendation w/Star, Good Conduct w/3 Stars, National Defense Service w/Star, Vietnam Service W/3 Stars, Vietnam Campaign w/1960 Device, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

Tom was stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) during Vietnam. He briefed and debriefed operational pilots on weather conditions during their flights over Vietnam. Tom was also stationed at NAS Rota, Spain; FNWC Monterey, CA; and NAS Miramar, CA.

First Class Aerographer’s Mate Tom Ryan

Tom was born in White Plains, New York, in 1937. He was the eldest of 4 children and the son of a Postal Service Worker who walked a route every day and worked at a bank in the evenings to make ends meet. He went to an all-Catholic Grade School and to Stepanic Catholic High school. – where he joined the Reserves his Senior Year and then went into the Navy at age 18.

He was stationed in Hawaii when it became a State and talked about the life of a single Navy guy in Hawaii. Mostly he remembered the beaches, girls, golfing, and the bars!! (typical single Navy guy)

Tom met and married his wife, Lynn, in Monterey, CA, while he was stationed at Fleet Numerical Weather Central at the Naval Post Graduate School. He was a 2nd Class Aerographer’s Mate at the time. After his tour there, he was transferred to Fleet Weather Central in Rota, Spain in 1964 and was joined by his wife in 1965. Their son, Michael, was born in Rota, Spain and had dual citizenship. They had to go through Immigration and Naturalization process when Mike was only 2.5 years old to get him a Social Security Card since he wasn’t born on American soil.

His next duty station was back to Monterey, CA and they lived on an Army Base at the time – Fort Ord for 3 years. Then he was transferred to the USS Kitty Hawk – an aircraft carrier based in San Diego during the Vietnam War. He spent two long 10-month cruises on the Kitty Hawk – briefing and de-briefing the pilots flying missions off the Kitty Hawk. Some never returned to be de-briefed. Tom collected coffee cups from all the squadrons on the Hawk. During his off time, he did the announcing of the news and weather on the closed circuit TV on board the ship. During those times, communication was only “snail mail” and collect long-distance calls when he was in port in Yokosuka, Japan. Sometimes mail didn’t get off the ship in a timely manner – so he and Lynn each had to number their letters so that they would read them in order. Lynn joined him on one of the R&R trips for the wives in Hong Kong for a week - after borrowing on his Life Insurance to make the flight. Living on one paycheck a month sometimes just didn’t make it with 3 kids. His 24 months on the Hawk ended up being almost 36 months with the Vietnam War in full action.

Tom was then transferred and stationed at NAS Miramar, CA after his tour on the “Hawk”. He briefed the pilots there and enjoyed being on land again and getting re-acquainted with his family. Dawn was only 2 years old, and the only Daddy she knew was the picture on the TV – so it took her a while to warm up to her Dad. They moved into the New Murphy Canyon housing after 14 months living in National City. Now their kids were getting older and it was getting time for him to be transferred once again, and Lynn said, “You can go anywhere you want to – but these kids need stability during their High School Years so I’m staying here." So, Tom decided to put in his papers to retire in August of 1977.

They bought a plot of land on a cul-de-sac and had a 4-bedroom home built in Santee and moved in December 1976. Tom was excited to be able to retire and draw some unemployment – BUT that didn’t happen. It seems there was a job at the San Diego County Air Pollution District that he was told about by a good friend of ours, and Tom was encouraged to apply for it – and low and behold – one week later – he was employed as a meteorologist at the APCD. Never did get to collect ANY unemployment.

By this time. Laurene, Mike, and Dawn were all in school, and Mike was excited about the move from military housing to Santee as he got to attend 2 – Sixth Grade Camps. Laurene would be attending Santana High School, and Dawn would be going to Hill Creek Elementary – all within a few blocks of their new home.

Tom finally retired from APCD after 20 years at the age of 60 and enjoyed his retirement years golfing, bowling, shopping, and being a house Dad. He was a Life Member of the AMVETS and VFW in El Cajon. He enjoyed crossword puzzles (in ink), and lottery scratchers and knew all of the answers to “Jeopardy.” He loved reading the Hard Bound Books written by Clive Custler and Tom Clancy.

During his time in the Navy, Tom would bring young sailors into his home for the holidays – a true testament to the kind and generous man he was. His timeless intelligence, quick wit, unselfish heart, inclusive spirit, and room-brightening laugh touched many and will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. There were many parties and happy moments during those times.

Tom passed at the age of 84. Loved by many and missed so much by his family. He is buried at Miramar National Cemetery, and how appropriate – the jets and pilots continue to fly over him daily, keeping his legacy going.