MELBOURNE, Florida -- The "Big Red One" paid its final respects to one of its own March 7 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Family, friends and service members, both active and retired, turned out to commemorate the life of retired Command Sgt. Maj. William (Bill) F. Ryan, who passed away Feb. 23 at the age of 90.
Ryan was a member of the 1st Inf. Div.'s 16th Infantry Regiment during D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Ryan would go on to serve in Korea and Vietnam during his career.
"We have lost a treasure," said Robert B. Humphries, president of the 16th Infantry Regiment Association.
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.
"Bill was always fun to be around and upbeat," Humphries said. "He enjoyed talking about World War II with a lot of Vietnam veterans and they enjoyed listening to his many stories."
Ryan would travel back to France each June to commemorate the Allied landing at Normandy.
"He was very well respected by the folks in France," Humphries said. "He had many good friends that he looked forward to seeing each trip."
There is even a street named after him in one French village.
Ryan would correspond with people all over the world, from civilians in France to young Soldiers.
"My father was the great communicator," Corrine Button, Ryan's daughter, said.
Button said her father was always good working on after action reviews and correspondence while he was in the Army.
"He continued that in his retired life, always writing letters to friends all over the world," Button said.
When Ryan would come back from Belgium, France, Russia or England -- whether to lay a wreath on a memorial in honor of a fallen Soldier, dedicate a museum for small French towns liberated by Soldiers or the 70th D-Day anniversary -- he would always write something about the events and send his accounts to people all over the world.
"He also was very proud to be a 16th Infantry Soldier," Humphries said. "Bill was proud of the World War II Soldiers and enjoyed the chance to talk about the experience."
Ryan was considered a mentor to today's generation of Soldiers.
Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, 1st Inf. Div. commander, talked about Ryan's impact last week from Iraq.
"I spoke with Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan on many occasions," Funk said, "and he was a true patriot to our country."
Button shared the story about her father and his habit of continuing, even after retiring, a well-known military practice. He would always send an after-action report or AAR to the young guys in the military, she said, "and they so looked forward to it."
"My father wanted to keep the morale up," Button said. "He mentored many young guys who hung on every word he spoke because they knew he spoke the truth. For this reason and countless others, he will be so missed."
Ryan's final request was for his ashes to be spread at Normandy.
"My father loved going back to Normandy and remembering the many men lost," Button said. "This was his wish to return to the North Atlantic Ocean for his Merchant Marine service and also back to Normandy. I hope to follow through on his wish soon."
Related Links:
No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great: 'Big Red One' loses two D-Day heroes
Photos of Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan's memorial service in Florida
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