PFC Kenneth John Ryan

A special “Thank You” to Ms. Peggy Fowler for her Ancestory.com research

Familial History:

The official US Marine Corps data states that PFC Kenneth John Ryan was born on 24 October 1922. The Ryan family tree and his birth certificate indicate the correct date was 21 October 1921. He was born in Globe, Gila County, Arizona to William Albert and Edith Emma Watkins. He was killed in action 20 (or 21) November 1943, when landing upon Belio Island within the Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands.

His father, William Albert “Bill” was born 25 May 1886 in Globe, Arizona to William Ryan an immigrant from Glenough, Tipperary, Ireland (12 July 1858 – 17 October 1941) and Anna Mary Moloney, from County Limerick, Ireland (8 November 1867 – 4 May 1947). He was a sheep and cattle rancher in the northeastern and central sections of Arizona until his death. He passed away on 25 October 1970 and interred in the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona, the Memorial # 53189702.

Edith Emma was born 18 December 1892 in Silverton, Briscoe County, Texas to Sally Tullula Watkins and Dr. Isaac. Her father brought Edith to Arizona in 1897 and was one of the first physicians working for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona. Edith married Bill at Benson, Cochise County, Arizona in 1912. She died in 1970 while residing in Phoenix and the internment next to husband William in the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery, Memorial # 53189760.

Their union produced six children with two daughters and four sons. Kenneth John was the fourth son born into the family.

The eldest brother was William “Will” Paul born 14 June 1913 in Whiteriver located within the White Mountain Apache Reservation, Navajo County, Arizona. At six weeks of age, his father returned to ranch at Benito Creek, Gila County, Arizona. He was transported by his Father via an Apache cradle board strapped across the horse’s saddle horn. He served in the US Army 764th Amphibious Tractor Battalion during World War II. He passed away 17 April 2000 in Phoenix and was buried with his family, the Memorial # 84187431. He married Orpha Kay and no children were reported in this union. She was born to Lola York (1895 – 1981) and James Leroy Kay (1892 – 1971), 13 October 1920 in Vernal, Uinta County, Utah and died 30 April 1997. She was interred in Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery and the Memorial # 84187530.

The second brother was Edward Albert, born 15 September 1916 in Gila County, Arizona. He died on 6 January 2004 in Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona. His wife was Alva Boren born 1 December 1919 in Ashurst, Graham County, Arizona and died 20 April 2003.

The brother born just before Kenneth John was Emmett Gerald. His birth 19 May 1919 in Arizona and died 12 April 1999 in Arizona. He was married to Norma Frances Owens who was born 19 January 1920 in Pinedale, Navajo County, Arizona and died 14 October 2006.

Kenneth John was born after Emmett on 21 October 1921.

The first of the two sisters was named Edith May. She was born 26 February 1924 in Globe, Arizona and passed away 20 June 1985 in Phoenix. She too was interred into the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery, Memorial # 53189829.

The last child born to this family was on 11 January 1927 in Globe, her name was Alice Jean. She died May 2010 in Phoenix and buried with her family within Saint Frances Catholic Cemetery, Memorial # 63179381. She had married Frederick “Fred” Merl Herwehe and they had one child Michaele who passed away tragically the same day she was born, 16 December 1955 in Phoenix. Her Memorial # in the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery 53179347. Fred was born 18 April 1923 in Newton, Jaspar County, Iowa, died 6 January 1999 in Phoenix, and buried alongside the Ryan family, Memorial # 53179408. He had two daughters and two sons from a previous marriage and their names are Peggy O’Neill, Pat Smith, Ken Herwehe, and Rick Herwehe.

Kenneth’s Father, William Albert had five siblings consisting of two sisters and three brothers. William was the first born and the second in line and eldest uncle to Kenneth was Cornelius Michael “Neil” born 29 February 1888 in Globe and died 1 January 1959 in Phoenix. He too was interned in the Saint Francis Cemetery and the Memorial # 51565303. He married Ona Alberta Thomas Gleeson on 21 February 1928 in Pima County, Arizona. She had been married to Edwin Michael Gleeson (1895 – 1925) and they had two daughters, Ellen L. (born 26 November 1916, in Arizona and died 4 March 2003 in Arizona) and Dorothy (born around 1919 and the death information was unknown). Ellen married Vernon Vuolas (born about 1916 and death unknown). Ona was born 23 July 1896 in California and died 28 August 1991 in Contra Costa County, California. She was interred in the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix, Memorial # 127065466.

Kenneth’s eldest aunt was Mary Agnes “May” Melby, born 21 October 1889 in Globe and died 22 September 1969 in Phoenix. She too was interred into the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix, Memorial # 498732235. She married Jalmer Melby on 22 November 1913 in Globe. They had four daughters and two sons. Jalmer was born 2 June 1883 in Menomonie, Dunn County, Wisconsin and died 28 February 1963). The children were Mary Olava Shaw born 19 August 1914 in Globe and died 26 May 2000 in Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona. Lawrence Earl was born 13 December 1915 in Globe and died 15 January 2001 in Phoenix.

The third cousin, LTC William Elwood was born 6 July 1917 in Globe and died in Maricopa County during 2003. He served our country in three wars as a US Marine. In World War II, as a 2nd LT, he was wounded on Guadalcanal and received his first Purple Heart. During the Korean Conflict he was awarded the second Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He later volunteered for duty in Viet Nam and saw combat in Chu Lai.

Cousin Anna Lee “Annalee” Moore was born 12 March 1919 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California and died 16 July 2002 in Phoenix.

Helen Patricia “Pat” Webber was born six years after Annalee on 18 March 1925 in Miami, Gila County, Arizona and died 30 January 2013 in Riverside.

The last daughter for Ona and Neil was Alice Erelene “Babe” Allison. She was born 12 September in Longview, Cowlitz County, Washington and died 12 October 2011 in Phoenix.

Uncle Joseph “Joe” Bernard was born 7 March 1891 in Globe and died in November of 1964. He married Joey Nell on 27 November 1915 in Gila County. She came into the world on 26 August 1923 and passed away on 11 May 2007 in Phoenix.

Uncle Edward Emmett was born 17 September 1893 in Globe and died 15 June 1965 in Phoenix. He married Vola Craddock Thurman on 6 June 1925 in Gila County. She was born 6 November 1904 in Goldsberry, Macon County, Missouri, and died 25 October 1991 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona.

The youngest aunt was Alice Eleanor Holmes born 10 June 1908 in Globe and died 22 March 1998 in Phoenix. She was interred into the Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, Memorial # 53817351. She married Marion Floyd Holmes on 14 February 1933 in Gila County. Marion was born 27 June 1909 in Springfield, Baca County, Colorado and died 24 October 1980 in Sun City, Maricopa County, Arizona. He was interred next to Alice and the Memorial # 53815925. Three male cousins were born to this union and they were William Lee (1936 – 1993) Robert Ryan (1937 – 2008), and Eugene Marion (1939 - ) .

Service History:

Kenneth enlisted as a private in the US Marine Corps on 14 September 1942 in Phoenix. His service number was 448887. His draft card stated that he lived Phoenix and the 1940 Census stated it was 1337 East McDonald Road. His place of employment was listed as Hitsoiy and Ryan.

The January 1943 muster roll indicated he was stationed at Marine Barracks, Naval Ammunition Depot, Mare Island, California. The last muster roll before the US Marines invaded Tarawa, his station was Headquarters, First Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, In The Field.

The 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines were activated 18 January 1941 in San Diego, California. Prior to Kenneth’s enlistment, they had participated in the Battle at Guadalcanal. Following the battle, the 2nd Marines were sent to New Zealand for rest and recuperation. Private Kenneth Ryan was part of the reinforcements sent to bring the Battalion to its full strength.

The Battle of Tarawa was codenamed Operation Galvanic and was the invasion of the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. The US Marine Corps had focused upon the largest of the islands name Betio, located in the extreme southwest section of the Atoll.

It was the inaugural American offensive in the central Pacific region. It was the first time that the American forces had faced stiff resistance to the landing of troops upon the beaches. During the fighting from 20-23 November 1943, nearly 6,400 Japanese, American and Koreas died in the fighting within the 76 hours.

The airfield located on Betio, was capable of supporting operations across the mid-Pacific. This included launching attacks against the Marshall Islands, Marianas, Philippines and into Japan.

In the predawn hours, the battleships Colorado and Maryland were involved in a gunnery duel with the shore 8-inch guns. The US Navy guns were very accurate and the damage to three of the four 8-inch guns opened the way into the lagoon. An aerial bombardment started at 0610 and when completed the next three hours were filled with fire from the large contingent of US Navy ships.

The plan was for the Marines to land on the north beaches, designated as Red Beach 1, Red Beach 2 and Red Beach 3. Green Beach was designated as a contingency landing zone on the western shoreline. The bombardment on the north end of the island alerted Imperial Japanese Rear Admiral Keiji Shibazaki to shift forces toward that area once the bombardment has ceased. His knowledge of the low tide conditions meant that the amphibious Higgins boats would not be able to traverse the coral reefs. He focused the maximum fire upon the Marines unloading upon the reef. The invaders would have to wade across open water to reach the beaches.

At 0900 the Marines moved from the ships toward the beaches. Many of the Marines were stuck on the reef almost 500 yards off shore. Several of the LVT “Alligators” tried to return and carry the stranded men to the beaches. Their non-armored hulls were penetrated with enemy fire and were became unseaworthy.

Private Kenneth John Ryan was one of the stranded Marines and wounded on the reef. Katherine Rasdorf has supplied very accurate information concerning his last few moments of life. It is attached below but it also submitted individually within the Memorial for your reading pleasure.

The US Marine official report listed 20 November 1943 as his death date. The family received the same information as was chiseled upon the Honolulu Memorial as 21 November 1944, and posted it upon their Family Tree. Private Ryan’s body was never located but he was memorialized at the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu Hawaii, Courts of the Missing (Court 4), Missing in Action, Memorial # 87980340.

Katherine Rasdorf’s information is as follows:

“From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings.

Private First Class Kenneth John Ryan, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Arizona, served with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was wounded by enemy fire on November 20, 1943, as his unit approached Tarawa. Another Marine pulled PFC Ryan to a nearby sandbar, where he soon died. Following the battle, PFC Ryan's remains could not be recovered, and he could not be identified among remains recovered from Tarawa after the war. Today, Private First Class Ryan is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Added by krasdorf326 · March 22, 2021”

Commendations:

Purple Heart

Resources:

Arizona, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1880-1935 - AncestryInstitution.com

U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958 - AncestryInstitution.com

U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958 - AncestryInstitution.com

3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines - Wikipedia

Battle of Tarawa - Wikipedia

Operation Galvanic (1): The Battle for Tarawa November 1943 (historyofwar.org)

PFC Kenneth John Ryan (1922-1943) - Find A Grave Memorial

U.S., Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Unaccounted-for Remains, Group A, 1941-1975 - AncestryInstitution.com