marinemom
01-15-05, 07:15 AM
Gen. Michael Ryan Dies; Helped Start Marathon
By Patricia Sullivan
Washington Post
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Michael Patrick Ryan, 88, a major general in the Marine Corps who was awarded the Navy Cross for leading a battalion at the bloody battle of Tarawa in 1943 and who later helped start Washington's popular Marine Corps Marathon, died of a heart attack Jan. 9 at a retirement home in Northridge, Calif., where he lived.
Gen. Ryan was a major in November 1943 when his company waded ashore at the Gilbert Island beach at Betio in Tarawa, now part of the Republic of Kiribati. It was the first large-scale test of U.S. amphibious doctrine against a strongly fortified beachhead, military historians said, and the heavy casualties for such a small atoll triggered a public outcry in the United States. About 1,000 Americans died during 76 hours of fighting; about 5,000 Japanese and Korean troops were killed.
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The casualties started in the water, and several companies were decimated. Under withering fire, Gen. Ryan put together a composite battalion made up of remnants of infantry and machine gun platoons, who were later dubbed "Ryan's Orphans." Over the next two days, the troops took over the western end of Betio, which allowed the first substantial reinforcements to land intact. For his actions, Gen. Ryan was awarded the Navy Cross.
Gen. Ryan was born in Osage City, Kan., and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1933. He was called up to active duty in November 1940. As a major during World War II, he served with the 6th Marines in Iceland and later with the 2nd Marines in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian.
He also served in Korea in 1954 as a battalion commander, and in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967 as assistant division commander of the 3rd Marine Division.
He served several times at Quantico and the Pentagon. His last active-duty assignment was as director of the Marine Corps Reserve, when he and Col. James Fowler founded the Marine Corps Marathon, which in its first year was informally called Ryan's Run. Gen. Ryan approved Fowler's suggestion for the race, considering that it would be good publicity for recruiting, but he worried about whether anyone would show up. According to the marathon's Web site history, 1,175 people ran, which at the time was the largest first-time marathon race ever held in the United States. Last year drew 22,666 registrants, the highest in the marathon's history. Of those, 16,987 crossed the start line and 16,455 made it to the end.
Gen. Ryan retired in 1977 and moved to Texas until 1986. He then moved to California.
His other military awards included the Legion of Merit and the Presidential Unit Citation.
His wife of 55 years, Marjorie Eleanor Ryan, died in 1998.
Survivors include three children, Michael Patrick Ryan Jr. of Mexico City, Allen Frederic Ryan of Solana Beach, Calif., and Theresa Cecile Ryan of Northridge; and two grandchildren.
By Patricia Sullivan
Washington Post
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Michael Patrick Ryan, 88, a major general in the Marine Corps who was awarded the Navy Cross for leading a battalion at the bloody battle of Tarawa in 1943 and who later helped start Washington's popular Marine Corps Marathon, died of a heart attack Jan. 9 at a retirement home in Northridge, Calif., where he lived.
Gen. Ryan was a major in November 1943 when his company waded ashore at the Gilbert Island beach at Betio in Tarawa, now part of the Republic of Kiribati. It was the first large-scale test of U.S. amphibious doctrine against a strongly fortified beachhead, military historians said, and the heavy casualties for such a small atoll triggered a public outcry in the United States. About 1,000 Americans died during 76 hours of fighting; about 5,000 Japanese and Korean troops were killed.
a Sample | Sign Up Now
The casualties started in the water, and several companies were decimated. Under withering fire, Gen. Ryan put together a composite battalion made up of remnants of infantry and machine gun platoons, who were later dubbed "Ryan's Orphans." Over the next two days, the troops took over the western end of Betio, which allowed the first substantial reinforcements to land intact. For his actions, Gen. Ryan was awarded the Navy Cross.
Gen. Ryan was born in Osage City, Kan., and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1933. He was called up to active duty in November 1940. As a major during World War II, he served with the 6th Marines in Iceland and later with the 2nd Marines in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian.
He also served in Korea in 1954 as a battalion commander, and in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967 as assistant division commander of the 3rd Marine Division.
He served several times at Quantico and the Pentagon. His last active-duty assignment was as director of the Marine Corps Reserve, when he and Col. James Fowler founded the Marine Corps Marathon, which in its first year was informally called Ryan's Run. Gen. Ryan approved Fowler's suggestion for the race, considering that it would be good publicity for recruiting, but he worried about whether anyone would show up. According to the marathon's Web site history, 1,175 people ran, which at the time was the largest first-time marathon race ever held in the United States. Last year drew 22,666 registrants, the highest in the marathon's history. Of those, 16,987 crossed the start line and 16,455 made it to the end.
Gen. Ryan retired in 1977 and moved to Texas until 1986. He then moved to California.
His other military awards included the Legion of Merit and the Presidential Unit Citation.
His wife of 55 years, Marjorie Eleanor Ryan, died in 1998.
Survivors include three children, Michael Patrick Ryan Jr. of Mexico City, Allen Frederic Ryan of Solana Beach, Calif., and Theresa Cecile Ryan of Northridge; and two grandchildren.