Service News
Pfc. Michael W. Ryan, son of John Ryan, 2083 Lafayette street, is now serving as a litter bearer with the 149th infantry regiment on Luzon. A former St. Patrick’s school student, he worked as a farmer before entering service on Apr. 25, 1943.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, May 05, 1945, Page 13
Service News
Pfc. Michael W. Ryan, son of Mr. John Ryan of 2038 Lafayette street, served with the medical detachment, 149th infantry of the famed Jap-killing 38th division in the bloody battles of Zig Zag pass in northern Bataan and Zambales mountains in central Luzon.
Private Ryan has been overseas more than a year, serving in Hawaii and New Guinea before arriving in the Philippines. He is entitled to wear the Expert Infantry badge, Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Liberation ribbons. His brother, Pvt. J. Ryan, a veteran of the Aleutians, is in an anti-aircraft unit in Texas.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, May 20, 1945, Page 5
Ryan W. Michael Killed in Action
on Luzon Aug. 12
Pfc. Ryan W. Michael, 28, of Waterloo, stretcher bearer with the 38th infantry division, was killed Aug. 12 on Luzon, as the whole world watched and waited for the peace which came two days later, his father learned Friday.
Private Michael, son of John Michael, 2038 Lafayette street, left for overseas Jan. 1, 1944, and served a year in New Guinea before being transferred to Luzon.
Two weeks ago his father received by mail a citation awarded Private Michael for “meritorious action in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Sierra Madre mountains, P. I., during the month of May, 1945.” The citation read, “In spit of being near exhaustion from illness and fatigue, he continually volunteered his services for litter hauls.”
He entered service Apr. 19, 1942, took basic training at Camp Robinson, Ark., and final training at Camp Livingston, La.
Born Apr. 16, 1917, son of John and Margaret Hurley Michael, at Albia, Ia., he attended school in Georgetown, Ia., and came here eight years ago. He was employed on a farm near Raymond, Ia., until entering service.
Surviving are his father, two brothers, Joseph, also of 2038 Lafayette, Pfc. John, with the army in Panama; and two sisters, Mrs. Ventz Lutterell, Albia, and Mrs. J. F. Posedel, Rodeo, Cal.
His mother preceded him in death a month after his birth.
Requiem high mass will be at 7 a. m. Monday in St. John’s Catholic church, with Rev. Fr. N. J. Lentz, pastor, officiating.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Friday, August 24, 1945, Page 3 (photo included)
Rites Tomorrow for Michael Ryan
Requiem high mass for Pfc. Michael W. Ryan, 28, of Waterloo, who was killed Aug. 12, on Luzon, will be at 7 a. m. Monday in St. John’s Catholic church. Rev. Fr. N. J. Lenz, pastor, will officiate.
Private Ryan was identified in Friday’s Courier from a war department telegram as Pfc. Ryan W. Michael.
The son of John Ryan, 2038 Lafayette St., he had been overseas two years as a stretcher bearer with the 38th infantry division. He was recently awarded a citation for meritorious action during the month of May in the Sierra Madre mountains, P. I.
Surviving besides his father are two brothers, Joseph, also of 2038 Lafayette, Pfc. John, with the army in Panama; and two sisters, Mrs. Ventz Luttrell, Albia, Ia., and Mrs. J. F. Prosedel, Rodeo, Cal.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, August 26, 1945, Page 5
Last Rites at Albia for Pfc. Ryan
The body of Pfc. Michael W. Ryan, 27, formerly of Waterloo, who was killed in action Aug. 12, 1945 on Luzon, will be brought to Albia, Ia., tomorrow at 1:30 p. m. and funeral and burial service are planned at Georgetown, Ia., for 9:30 a. m. Wednesday. Services will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic church in Georgetown, with Rev. Fr. Harry Ryan officiating. The body will be at Humington funeral home.
Private Ryan was inducted into service in Waterloo Apr. 25, 1942, and received basic training at Camp Robinson, Ark., finishing medical corps training at Camp Livingston, La. He went overseas Jan. 1, 1944, with the medical corps 149th infantry, 38th Cyclone division.
He served a year in New Guinea before transfer to the Philippines.
Born Apr. 16, 1917, son of John Margaret Hurley Ryan at Georgetown, he attended school there and came to Waterloo in 1940. He was employed as a farm hand north of Raymond, Ia. His mother preceded him in death.
Surviving are his father and brother, Joe, 2038 Lafayette street, another brother, John, Seattle, Wash., and two sisters, Mrs. Ann Luttrell, Albia, and Mrs. Mary Posedel, Rodeo, Cal.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, October 17, 1948, Page 12
City in Brief
Lt. Warren R. Rand, Waterloo army recruiting officer, Wednesday formally presented John Ryan, 2038 Lafayette street, with a posthumous award for his son, Pvt. Michael Ryan, who died in the last war. Rand presented the soldier’s father with a Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster and other campaign medals.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Thursday, January 13, 1949, Page 7
Pvt. Michael W. Ryan is buried in Saint Patricks Cemetery, Georgetown, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
