Ensign Thomas John Ryan Jr. was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 1, 1923 in Yokohama, Japan — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. Ryan was 22 years old.
The medal was presented on March 15, 1924 — the White House, by Pres. Calvin Coolidge. He later rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Ryan was born on August 5, 1901 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Louisiana. Ryan died on January 28, 1970 in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the age of 68. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For heroism in effecting the rescue of a woman from the burning Grand Hotel, Yokohama, Japan, on 1 September 1923. Following the earthquake and fire which occurred in Yokohama on 1 September, Ens. Ryan, with complete disregard for his own life, extricated a woman from the Grand Hotel, thus saving her life. His heroic conduct upon this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and on the U.S. Navy, of which he is part.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Naval Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Louisiana →
Timeline
- August 5, 1901Born in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
- September 1, 1923Act of valor — Yokohama, JapanAge 22.
- March 15, 1924Medal of Honor presentedThe White House, by Pres. Calvin Coolidge
- January 28, 1970Died in New Orleans, LouisianaAge 68.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Rear Admiral Thomas John Rya, Jr. (August 5, 1901 – January 28, 1970) was a career American naval officer who received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration, for his actions while in Yokohama, Japan during the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. Ryan went on to serve in World War II as a destroyer flotilla commander.
From the Wikipedia article “Thomas J. Ryan (admiral)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
