Ray Everett Ryan

Ray Everett Ryan was born in Danville, Kentucky on July 8th, 1919.  He joined the Army in 1936 and served until November of 1945.

Staff Sergeant Ray Ryan served with the 898th Field Artillery Battalion as part of the 75th Infantry Division, 1st U. S. Army during World War II. The 75th Infantry Division was activated on April 15, 1943, and it participated in multiple campaigns in the European Theater of Operations. One notable campaign in which Staff Sergeant Ryan and the 75th Infantry Division, including the 898th Field Artillery Battalion, played a significant role was the Battle of the Bulge. Despite freezing temperatures and many casualties, the division saw intense combat during the Ardennes Offensive, which took place from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. After the Battle of the Bulge, the 75th Infantry Division continued its advance through Germany and participated in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. The division was involved in various actions, including the crossing of the Rhine River.  During all of this brutal combat Staff Sergeant Ryan continued to lead his men to final victory over Germany and the end of the war.
 
When he got home he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he met his wife Evelyn and they eventually settled in Dayton. He owned a construction company and began their family which grew to three girls and a boy. Ray loved his family, writing poetry, reading and traveling. He passed away on December 16th, 1964 at the age 45.  He has been deeply missed.❤️