[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             HONORING FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM C. RYAN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSH GOTTHEIMER

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2017

  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero 
from New Jersey's Fifth District, First Lieutenant William C. Ryan, Jr. 
Lieutenant Ryan served our country as an aviator in the Marine Corps 
during the Vietnam War. For his heroism in combat, Lieutenant Ryan was 
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart. Lieutenant 
Ryan grew up in Bogota, New Jersey, and was an athlete and community 
leader at St. Cecilia's High School. Nicknamed ``Rhino'' for his 
toughness and composure, Lieutenant Ryan was a stern fighter and 
devoted family man. ``Billy,'' as he was known to his friends, attended 
St. Francis College, where he met Judy, who would become his wife.
   Upon graduation, Billy answered the call to serve in the United 
States Marine Corps. His outstanding character, determination, and 
willingness to serve his country, made him a natural fit for flight 
school where he trained to become a Marine Aviator. While deployed in 
Vietnam, Lieutenant Ryan took on enemy fire and was once rescued in the 
South China Sea. On May 11, 1969, Lieutenant Ryan faced heavy enemy 
fire and was shot down again. He was pronounced dead on May 13, 1969.
   On the same day that her husband was downed by heavy fire, Judy 
packed her bags eagerly awaiting a planned vacation with her husband. 
Their son Michael was just a few hours shy of his first birthday. For 
forty-seven years, Lieutenant Ryan, who is a hero, never received the 
proper burial he deserved. In 1990, investigators recovered Lieutenant 
Ryan's aircraft seat from the crash landing, and decades later, 
investigators recovered his remains in January 2016, bringing much-
needed peace to his family. With the hero's welcoming that the Ryan 
family deserved, Billy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, 
on May 10, 2017.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the heroism of First 
Lieutenant William C. Ryan, Jr. and the Ryan family. His sacrifice, 
patriotism, and valor represent the best of New Jersey and our country.

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