No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great: 'Big Red One' loses two D-Day heroes

By Amanda Kim StairrettMarch 6, 2015

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1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston, the 1st Inf. Div. senior noncommissioned officer, talks with retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bill Ryan about the "Big Red One" while standing near the division memorial June 5 on Omaha Beach, France. Ryan landed on th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bill Ryan, who landed on Omaha Beach with the 1st Inf. Div. more than 70 years ago, stands atop a hill June 5 in France near the "Big Red One" monument. He visited Normandy every year to pay his respects for those who lost t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Master Sgt. Homer Farley, a 1st Inf. Div. veteran who stormed Omaha Beach, hold his 1st Inf. Div. commander's coin October 2013 in Washington D.C. Farley was there through an Honor Flight, a non-profit company that offers free flights to Wash... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kansas -- Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division render final salutes to two "Big Red One" heroes who bravely fought on the beaches of Normandy, France, more than 70 years ago. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. William F. Ryan passed away Feb. 23 in Melbourne, Florida, at the age of 90. Retired Master Sgt. Homer P. Farley passed away March 1 in Newberg, Oregon, at the age of 93.

"Both of these warriors epitomize the resolve and strength of Big Red One Soldiers," Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, 1st Inf. Div. commander, said this week from Iraq. "I spoke with Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan on many occasions and he was a true patriot to our country. Homer Farley's story of the Normandy invasion really connected with me -- his thoughts of family, friends and home as the landing craft gate dropped on the beach."

Ryan served his country for more than 30 years, enlisting in 1943. He landed on Omaha Beach with his Big Red One brothers of the 16th Infantry Regiment during the first wave, fought through the Battle of the Bulge and served tours in Korea and Vietnam.

"Men like these two from our Greatest Generation are why I joined the Army and continue to serve," Funk said. "I hope everyone will take a moment to reflect on what they did for us over 70 years ago."

A highly decorated Soldier, Ryan earned three Bronze Stars for valor, a Legion of Merit, the French Legion of Honor, two Purple Hearts and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. After retiring in 1973, Ryan made regular trips back to Belgium and France to commemorate the battles and honor the lives of those lost there.

"Meeting Bill Ryan in Normandy on the 70th anniversary of D-Day is one of the highlights of my life as a Soldier," Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston, 1st Inf. Div. senior noncommissioned officer, said this week from Iraq. "He was larger than life and an example of what a Big Red One Soldier is and ought to be. I mourn his passing."

Ryan's memorial is set for March 7 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Melbourne, Florida. Ryan's family asked that donations be made in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Farley enlisted in 1940, also fighting in the first wave on Normandy Beach with the 16th Infantry Regiment and later participating in the Korean and Vietnam wars with the Army Air Corps. During his 25-year career, he received five Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars and two Silver Stars.

Farley was featured in a special issue of Duty First! magazine in June, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. He recounted what it was like to approach the beach on a landing craft.

"I just wanted to make sure that I didn't do anything to let down my unit or my buddies," Farley said.

Then the gate dropped.

"Good Lord, I'm in your hands," Farley said. "I'm either dying or I'm going."

Lt. Col. Sean Ryan, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs Officer, met Farley in October 2013.

"Watching Homer Farley and his son Steve marvel at the World War II monument in Washington D.C., was a father-and-son moment I will never forget," Ryan said. "The monuments in our capitol were built precisely for men like Homer, who dedicated their lives to serving the greatest country in the world."

Farley was a hardened warrior in every sense of the word when it came to battle, Ryan went on to say this week from Iraq, yet tears came to his eyes when we discussed the 1st Inf. Div., his love for the Big Red One and his family.

"There is no history book that can capture those personal moments or stories I experienced with him and I have nothing but respect for Homer and his generation of Soldiers," Ryan said. "He will be missed."

Farley was a treasure and hero, said Sgt. Michael Leverton, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., public affairs, who interviewed Farley for the magazine.

"I will always look up to him," Leverton said. "His son said that even while lying in the hospital, he would still talk about the Big Red One. He was very proud of his time with the division."

Farley's funeral services are set for March 5 in McMinnville, Florida. His family asked that contributions be made to Disabled American Veterans or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Related Links:

Disabled American Veterans

Homer Farley vet remembers 1st moments on Omaha Beach

Wounded Warrior Project

'Big Red One' returns to Normandy for 70th anniversary of D-Day invasion