Thomas John Ryan Jr. was born on 5 August 1901 in New Orleans, Louisana. He attended Tulane University before appointment from his state to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. After graduation, he was commissioned an Ensign in June 1920 and reported to USS Salem, later transferring to USS Zane and USS Abarenda. In November 1922, he was assigned as a Japanese Language Officer to the United States Embassy in Tokyo and, in June 1923, promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. On 1 September 1923, during the Great Kanto earthquake, Ryan rescued a woman from the burning Grand Hotel in Yokohama. For his "extraordinary heroism" on that occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. After his return to the United States LtJG Ryan became a Presidential Naval Aide, serving at the White House and on board USS Mayflower. He then transferred to USS Bruce and, while serving in her in January 1927, was promoted to Lieutenant.
In the Summer of 1928, Lieutenant Ryan was ordered to the Office of Judge Advocate General, in Washington D.C. While there, he received a Bachelor of Law degree from George Washington University. In July 1931, he reported to USS Arizona. Ryan completed the the Naval War College's junior course in June 1935 and subsequently served at the Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island. In June 1936, he became the Aide and Flag Secretary for Commander, Battleship Division Two, Battle Force, was promoted the next month to Lieutenant Commander, and was later Aide and Flag Secretary to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet. In January 1940, he assumed command of USS Hale. Later that year, he was reassigned to Washington D.C., serving in the Chief of Naval Operation's Fleet Maintenance Division. In July 1941, Ryan was promoted to Commander.
For much of 1942, Ryan was Commander, Destroyer Division Twenty-Four, receiving promotion to Captain in June 1942. He next commanded Destroyer Squadrons Twelve and Twenty-One during the Central Solomons campaign, participating in the June-July 1943 assaults on Rendova and New Georgia, the mid-July Battle of Kolombangara, and a surface action with Japanese destroyers and transport barges off Vella Lavella in mid-August. Transferring that September to staff duty with the Fifth Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet, he took part in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. Between August 1944 and early 1946, Ryan was the Head of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the Naval Academy. While in this position, he served as Judge Advocate for the General Court Martial of Captain Charles B. McVay, III, who had been Commanding Officer of USS Indianapolis when she was sunk in late July 1945. In March 1946, he assumed command of USS Providence. That December, Captain Ryan became the Director of the Naval Reserves, Eighth Naval District, at New Orleans. For his last tour, he served as Deputy Commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service, Gulf Area. He left active duty in June 1950, simultaneously receiving advancement to Rear Admiral on the retired list. Thomas J. Ryan, Jr. died on 28 January 1970 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
This page features the only images we have concerning Thomas J. Ryan, Jr.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Medal of Honor citation of Ensign Thomas J. Ryan, USN. (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 131): Note: Though Thomas J. Ryan's Medal of Honor certificate lists his rank as Ensign on 1 September 1923, the "Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 1924" lists his promotion date to Lieutenant Junior Grade as 5 June 1923. |
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 8 February 2008