CPL William Harley Ryan

William H. Ryan Jr. was born to William H. Ryan Sr. and Thelma may Denoma Ryan on May 29th, 1932 in Trenton, Michigan. They lived at 1465 20th St. Wyandotte, Michigan. He had brothers Frank, James, and a sister Virginia.

Bill's father died at the age of 42 on March, 25th 1946. After her husband's death, Bill's mother married Ira E. Rogers. They lived at 12895 Chapel St. Detroit, Michigan. Bill then had a stepbrother Charles E. Rogers. His brother Frank also served as a Sgt. in the Marine Corp and Charles was a PFC. in the Army.

Bill enlisted in the Marines on Oct. 3rd, 1949 at the age of 17. His last rank was Corporal. While enlisted he received the Military Education of Sea school, and NCO Leadership school. He trained at Camp Pendleton in California. Bill is also listed on the Korean Memorial in Washington, DC.

He served as a Captains Aide on the USS Des Moines. This ship was the final heavy Cruiser design. The ship hosted many dignitaries including President Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth, The Duke of Edinburgh, and numerous other dignitaries. It was well known in the Marines that to serve on this ship a person had to be of utmost character. A statement to Bills service.

In December of 1952 he arrived in Korea as was assigned to Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division - commonly known as Easy 2 7. There Bill served under Sgt. Joe Schmid, this was the final assignment near the area of Ungok. This location was where the well known Outpost wars were fought. The Outposts were named after the three Nevada cities of Carson, Reno, Vegas.

On April 10th, 1953 CPL Ryan ans PFC Othel Sharp were entrenched on Outpost Carson. They were taking incoming artillery for hours. Sometime during that period, an enemy artillery round hit the area were they were positioned. Both were hit by shrapnel. CPL Ryan was killed and PFC Sharp wounded. When asked about it Sgt. Schmid said "He died a hero". While serving with Easy Co., CPL Ryan was also a fireteam leader for his squad.

While serving in the Marines. CPL Ryan received the Korean Service Medal with 1 service star, the UN Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart.

Bill's funeral was held at Wilkie Funeral Home in Detroit, MI. Bills stepbrother PFC Charles E. Rogers, US Army escorted Bills body home and was the Honor Guard at the funeral. Bill had a Military funeral with a 21 - Gun Salute.

Bill was buried in Ferndale Cemetery on Sibley Road in Riverview, MI on June 6th 1953 at the age of 20. His grave is in the Oaklawn section 106E. His father is buried at lot 590 in the same section.

In the fall of 1952 Bill and I (Jean McCauley) became engaged with plans to be married when he returned from Korea. We made plans, like all young couples do, about our future together. Where should we live? How many children will we have? What he would do after the Marines. Bill was also a romantic. He proposed by giving me a long white box with a dozen long stemmed red roses with an engagement ring tucked inside. Of course I said "yes". I knew the first time I saw him what my answer would be and believe it or not we were in a car with the coupled that introduced us. His dream was to be a Grey Hound bus driver like his dad. Back in the 50's the Grey Hound Bus system was a major means of transportation. Bill had been in the Marines since he was 17 and did not have a car so we took the bus! He would make 4 trips at times to come to my house, go see his family and then go back home at night. He did borrow a car a few times. He hadn't driven a car for awhile and he was not very smooth on the clutch - we had some laughs over that. On his last day home Frank and his wife drove him down to see me and we all went to dinner then they left us at my house to say goodbye.

Bill talked about if he did not come back - a possibility I had not considered. My welfare and future were his utmost concern if he did not make it back. Our last time to talk was just before leaving from California to Korea. When he arrived in Korea there were many letters. In one he told me that he volunteered for night patrols in hopes he might come home sooner.

A couple of days after hearing of his death, I received two letters. At first I thought "He is still alive, it was a mistake", but then I realized it was just the mail catching up.

Bill was a person of honor, high morals, and a proud Marine. In pictures you will know him by his big smile and sharp crease in his hat. He was always squared away. He was a kind and loving person and will always have a special place in my heart and life forever. He will never be forgotton.

Written by Jean Kriebel

Bill and Jean 1952

William, last in rear, with other 2nd and 3rd squad Marines of E 2 7

CPL William H. Ryan and SGT Joseph R. Schmid

Government Photo

Jean McCauley