Book of Ryans - The 20th Century
United States Place names
The importance of any race's importance in a country is commonly shown through the place name of cities, counties, lakes, mountains and other significant landmarks. While the early American colonial settlements showed a dominant leaning towards English surnames, over time Irish surnames began appearing such as these using the surname Ryan:
Ryan, Iowa. Ryan is a small town of 390 people in Delaware County which is located in Eastern Iowa.
Ryan, Oklahoma. Ryan is a town of nearly 2000 persons situated in southern Oklahoma. The man whom the city was named after has long been lost.
Ryans Slough, California. This is a village of nearly 2000 people located in Humboldt County in Northwest California.
Ryan Peak, Idaho. Ryan Peak is one of the mountains in the Pioneer Mountains located northwest of Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Mexican Revolution
General Porfirio Diaz in 1876 overthrew the democratically elected government of Mexico, and over the next 35 years he bypassed the Mexican constitution and controlled the political and economic institutions by forceful means. During this period, he allowed no opposition parties to develop, particularly if they opposed his political and military objectives. Diaz was able to improve the economic climate for many Mexican peasants, even though these improvements were slight and poverty continued to enslave millions of Mexican citizens.
The Mexican populace, in the course of time, rebelled against Diaz's policies which enriched large landowners and big business. This rebellion, which began in 1910, was led by Francisco Madero, and their military successes forced Diaz to flee Mexico in 1911, making Madero the new President. Madero was an inexperienced, although well-intentioned, politician, and found himself caught between those who felt his reforms did not go far enough and those who were opposed to land reform. His inability to forge political alliances led to his forced exedous from the Presidency in 1913 by General Victoriano Huerta, and upon seizing control of the government, Huerta had Madero executed as an enemy of the people. Huerta, in fact, had popular support of many Mexicans during this revolution; moreover, several pro-Madero revolutionary armies continued to ride the Mexican frontiers opposing Huerta's presidency.
The Huerta opposition groups included Venustiano Carranza, Francisco 'Pancho' Villa, and Emiliano Zapata. These leaders joined forces to create a wide-scale effort to fight Huerta's armies. The United States supported the revolutionaries because it was Woodrow Wilson's desire that Mexico would someday embrace democracy. His open opposition of Huerta heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries which soon led to the arrest of American sailors in Tampico in 1914. President Wilson, in retaliation, sent U.S. naval and marine troops into Veracruz under the command of Rear Admiral Frank F. Fletcher and Major Albertus W. Catlin which further strained relations.
In reaction to this overt attack from Mexico's imperialistic northern neighbor, Huerta arrested Dr. Edward William Ryan, a special agent for the Department of State in Mexico, who was sent to Mexico by the U.S. government to find refugees. On April 30th, 1914, Washington was informed that Ryan was to be executed in Zacatecas, Mexico, as a spy. The United States Government officials denied these allegations, and officially stated that his activities were confined solely to providing humanitarian aid. Because diplomatic communications into Mexico were severed, Secretary of State Bryan asked the Mexican ambassador to confirm the rumor of Dr. Ryan's imprisonment and sentence of death. The response he received was that it was a tense situation, but the rumor greatly exaggerated Ryan's situation.
Dr. Ryan was born to Jeremiah and Bridget Ellen (Loftus) at Jessup, Pennsylvania, a small city located near Scranton, and as a young man moved to New York City. After his formal education, Ryan interned in local New York City hospitals and in time became associated with the American government and the Red Cross. He traveled to Mexico as an attaché of the American Red Cross, and he journeyed to a remote hospital by automobile carrying a large supply of medicines. At a local field hospital he handled a large number of refugees suffering from various ailments caused by the war. It was at this camp that Dr. Ryan was arrested for espionage, and the announcement of his imprisonment was outlined by the `New York Times', April 30, 1914:
"Many of the Americans in the vicinity came out in a wagon train and finally got through to Guars. All spoke in the highest terms of the heroism of Dr. Ryan.
Dr. Ryan originally came from New York City, where he was attached to one of the hospitals. He was in Mexico during the 10 day siege in February 1913, and performed some excellent work. He made friends of Mexican officers on both sides of the affray. His work at Torrean last summer was done under the auspices of the Red Cross Society, with which has been connected regularly since then.
Dr. Ryan was in Washington last Winter, and left here to return to the City of Mexico in February. He is described as a ruddy-faced young fellow with blue eyes. He had a hearty manner, and was well educated. He proved to be a good mixer among the Mexicans and got along well with all classes.
It was said here that he had at no time subjected himself to any charge of being a spy, and that he had always acted with great discretion. But it was said that he had made friends who were regarded as enemies of Huerta.
After intense negotiations with Huerta's representatives, Dr. Ryan was released through the State Department's efforts. Upon arriving in the United States he visited Wilson to discuss his internment; but because his reprieve was contingent upon not divulging the terms of his release, Dr. Ryan never mentioned the conditions surrounding his imprisonment to the press or the government. Dr. Ryan was later elevated to director of the Red Cross in the United States, and also served as Director of the Red Cross in Serbia and other areas of Eastern Europe during World War I. After receiving many citations by the United States and other foreign governments (among which was the Croix de Guerre, Medialle des Epidemie from France for his efforts in stamping out an epidemic in Estonia in 1920), he died peacefully in 1923.
World War I
World War I was the second bloodiest battle in terms of human loss behind World War II. The war began with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, in 1914 at Sarajevo, Bosnia. The Austrian empire suspecting a Serbian inspired killing declared war on Serbia in July which consequently brought its allies, the Germans and Ottomon Empires, into war with other western European countries.
The United States tried to remain neutral in this conflict, but events from both sides which reluctantly brought the United States into the war. The British began searching U.S. ships - a war-time practice they had done since the War of 1812. The United States protested these actions, but under international law England, she was entitled to make these searches. When German submarines began sinking unarmed passenger ships in 1917, America could no longer remain indifferent and joined the allied forces in Europe. President Wilson also justified his entrance when he intercepted a communiqué from Germany asking the Mexicans to join the German alliance and promising to return lands stolen by the U.S.A. These events continually tested the United State's resolve to remain neutral, however, entering the war was supported by Irish Americans despite an earlier appeal made to Woodrow Wilson to remain neutral. Many American soldiers of Irish descent supported the war effort, and they volunteered in large numbers as William D. Griffin noted: `Distinguished military service was contributed by Irish-American commanders such as John O'Ryan and Thomas Barry and units such as the `Fighting 69th Regiment'.[1]
The Central Powers could not sustain the combined armies of France, Britain, and the United States, and were forced to sign an Armistice in a railway car in the Compiegne Forest on November 11, 1918. Ferdinand Foch and Secretary of State Matthias Erzberger signed the documents on behalf of the Central Powers and Allied Forces, respectively. Woodrow Wilson proposed a number of measures to punish the Central alliance members during the deliverations. His policies were different from the mainstream of thought that believed `to the victor belongs the spoils'. Pressure groups in the United States delivered proposals for President Wilson to present at Versailles, but perhaps the most embarrassing originated from a group representing Irish American interests. They asked him to consider a proposal for Ireland's independence from Britain - a matter which was totally unrelated to World War I's conclusion:
`During the conference at Versailles, F.P.Walsh, and Kansas City attorney, M.J.Ryan, a Philadelphia banker, and C.P. Dunro, ex-Governor of Illinois, as unofficial spokesmen of the Irish-American committee urged President Wilson's intervention on behalf of Ireland. Wilson was embarrassed by their presence but no support, was forthcoming for Ireland's claim to independence.[2]
The Treaty of Versailles redefined the national boundaries for most of Europe. The German and Austria-Hungary borders changed, but the greatest loser was Germany who lost most of its colonial possessions and manufacturing operations. The treaty failed to address many of the underlying causes of the war as Wilson proposed. Europe's petty jealousies created a treaty which profited the allies and left the door open for an even greater war within 20 years.
Distinguished Service
The Distinguished Service Cross was created by executive order in 1918, and is awarded to any person in the Army who has distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism accompanying military operations against an armed enemy. This award, like the Medal of Honor, is awarded only for combat service.
One of the most distinguished recipients of this medal was an American of Irish descent, Audie Murphy. Murphy received his medal after leading his platoon in Normandy as part of the first wave which landed at Ramatuelle, France, August 15, 1914. He received his award for overtaking a machine gun position, and capturing the German machine gun detachment. There were also Ryans who received medals of commendation for their heroism and extraordinary devotion to the war effort, and a select few earned the Distinguished Service Cross. The Distinguished Service Cross was created by executive order in 1918, and is awarded to any person in the Army who has distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. This award, like the Medal of Honor, is awarded for only combat service.
The following received the Distinguished-Service Cross for heroism during the first World War in the European theater. This information was derived from the U.S. Adjutant's documents:[3]
William C. Ryan. First lieutenant, 38th Infantry, 3d Division. Being severely wounded, Lieutenant Ryan led his platoon through heavy shell and machine-gun fire, holding his command intact and capturing or destroying several machine guns. At Romagne, France, Oct 9, 1918. Severance Kansas base.
Frank W. Ryan. Private, Headquarters Company, 122d Field Artillery, 33d Division. Maintaining a telephone line 3 kilometers long over a period of 8 days, he was under circumstances which called for the greatest courage and determination. he had no relief and was at one time without rations for 48 hours. At Nouart, France, November 19, 1918. Chicago, Illinois based.
John Edward Ryan. Corporal, 18th Company, 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps, 2d Division. He requested and obtained permission to lead his company's advance. In performing this task and providing the safety of his men he fell, wounded through the leg. At St. Etienne, France, Oct. 4, 1918. Galveston, Texas based.
Oscar H. Ryan. Corporal, Company K, 9th Infantry, 2d Division. On Nov. 8 Corporal Ryan went on a patrol through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire and returned with valuable information of the enemy. On Nov. 10 he remained on post in a building after half of it had been demolished by shellfire, and after being relieved of this duty helped to dig men from the debris of other houses which had been destroyed by shells. At Fauburg, France, July 28, 1918.
Richard J. Ryan. Captain, 165th Infantry, 42d Division Three times wounded on July 28, 1918, in the attack across the River Ourcq, near Villers-sur-Fere, France, and up the heights beyond, in which he led his company forward in the face of extremely heavy fire from machine guns and artillery, he refused to be evacuated and remained with his company until it was withdrawn. They reached their objectives and made their stand because of his fine spirit and unflinching determination. Watertown, New York based.
Thomas A. Ryan. Private, Company D, 101st Infantry, 26th Division. Private Ryan, Sergt, Simeon L Nickerson, and Corpl. M. J. O'Connell volunteered to cross an open field in front of their company in order to ascertain the location of enemy machine guns. While engaged in this courageous enterprise they were shot and killed. The heroic self-sacrifice of these 3 men saved the lives of many of their comrades, who would have been killed had the company attempted to make the advance as a whole. Posthumously awarded. Medal presented to his mother, Mrs. Mary Ryan. At Epieds, France, Sept. 26, 1918. Boston, Massachusetts based
Robert M. Ryan. Sergeant, Company A, 102d Infantry, 26th Division. He was in command of a platoon advancing under heavy artillery bombardment, machine-gun and rifle fire. Though severely wounded, he continued to lead his platoon, pushing on with his men until he was killed. Posthumously awarded. Medal presented to mother, Mrs. Rebecca Wand. Hartford, Connecticut based. At Marcheville, France, Sept. 26, 1918.
The Distinguished Service Medal differs from the Cross in that this medal does not require an Army man or woman to have been in combat. This award is issued for exemplary service during wartime, and was provided under the provisions of the Act of Congress in 1918.[4]
Lillian J. Ryan. 1st Lt, Army nurse Corps U.S. Army. As chief nurse of the base hospital at Camp Merritt, N.J. during the World War I, she rendered Signal service. By the display of excellent judgment, energy, and example under unusual difficulties she so directed her staff as tenable it to meet in an efficient manner all the demands made upon it, thus making a large contribution to the savings of lives. By her great organizing ability and untiring efforts she played an important part in the successful aftercare of thousands of tuberculosis soldiers during the demobilization period. R. Denver, Colorado and born in Ireland.
William B. Ryan. Born Fairfield, Vt, and based in Greenburg, Pa. Lt. Colonel, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. In charge of the tonnage section of 6-1, General HO, he performed services of great value to the American expeditionary forces. Later, as supervisor of cargo and supplies at the port of Marseiles, by his zeal and energy he overcame all obstacles and successfully accomplished his important task.